The Science and Practice of Middle and Long Distance Running

The popularity of distance running as a sport, and a recreational activity, is at an all-time high. Motivated by the desire to achieve a personal best, remain healthy, or simply complete an event, distance runners of all ages and abilities actively seek out advice from experienced coaches and sport scientists. This is also reflected in the growth of programmes of education for young coaches and aspiring sport scientists in recent years. There are a multitude of different approaches to training distance runners; however, the basic principles and ingredients required for success are applicable to any distance runner. The science that underpins the training and physical preparation of distance runners has developed considerably in recent years. The most experienced and successful coaches in the distance running community rarely have the opportunity to share their tried and tested methods of training. Similarly, the novel work of sport scientists is often only accessible to elite runners, their support teams and academia.

The Science and Practice of Middle and Long Distance Running links together the science and coaching artistry associated with preparing distance runners for events ranging from 800 m up to ultra-marathon distances. It combines the latest scientific evidence, published by world-leading sport scientists, with the sound training principles and strategies adopted by experienced coaches. The book translates cutting-edge scientific research from the fields of physiology, biomechanics, psychology and nutrition into practical suggestions for achieving success. Important topical issues and contemporary practices related to health and performance are also addressed. This book is an essential addition to the library of any distance runner, coach or sport scientist.

PART I

The Scientific Bases of Training and Performance 1

1 Physiological Determinants of Middle- and Long-Distance

Running 3

Philip R. Hayes and Daniel A. Gordon

2 The Biomechanics of Distance Running 17

Brian Hanley

3 Common Overuse Injuries in Runners and Injury Risk Factors 28

Christopher A. Bramah

4 Nutritional Requirements for Distance Runners 47

Matthew Cole, Richard C. Blagrove, Meghan A. Brown, Jennie Carter and Justin D. Roberts

5 Psychology of Distance Running 66

Stacy Winter and Carla Meijen

PART II

Training and Event Considerations 77

6 Physiological Assessment of Middle- and Long-Distance Runners 79

Andy Galbraith

7 Movement Screening and Physical Capacity Assessments 97

Louis P. Howe and Paul J. Read

8 Training Volume and Intensity Distribution Among Elite

Middle- and Long-Distance Runners 118

Arturo Casado and Leif Inge Tjelta

9 Tapering and Peaking for an Event or Major Competition 132

Kate L. Spilsbury

10 Running Coaching Case Study and Lessons Learned 145

Steve Macklin

11 Short-Term Nutrition Strategies to Maximise Event-Day Performance 163

Justin D. Roberts and Matthew Cole

12 Strategic and Tactical Decision-Making in Middle- and

Long-Distance Running Races 176

Andy Renfree and Brian Hanley

13 Gait Retraining for Performance and Injury Risk 185

Izzy S. Moore, Tom Goom and Kelly J. Ashford

14 Strength Training for Enhancing Performance and Reducing Injury Risk 207

Richard C. Blagrove and David R. Hooper

15 Specific Conditioning to Reduce Injury Risk 223

Stuart Butler

PART III

Specific Issues and Populations 247

16 Training Monitoring 249

Mark R. Homer and Charles R. Pedlar

17 Recovery Strategies 266

Glyn Howatson and Tom Clifford

18 Low Energy Availability: Identification, Management and Treatment 281

Jessica Piasecki

19 Nurturing Young Distance Runners 291

Richard C. Blagrove, Philip E. Kearney and Karla L. Drew

20 Considerations for the Female Runner 306

Georgie Bruinvels, Esther Goldsmith and Nicola Brown

21 Performance Decline in Master Endurance

Richard C. Blagrove , PhD, SFHEA, ASCC, CSCS is Lecturer in Physiology and Programme Director of the MSc Strength and Conditioning at Loughborough University, UK. Richard is an Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and was previously Director of the UK Strength and Conditioning Association. He has provided coaching support to middle- and long-distance runners for almost 15 years, including several Olympians and athletes who have won medals at major international championships. He gained a PhD from Northumbria University investigating the utility of strength-based exercise in post-pubertal adolescent distance runners and has delivered over a dozen invited presentations on the physical preparation of runners.

Philip R. Hayes , PhD, CSci is Senior Lecturer at Northumbria University, where he gained his PhD and has worked since 1991. During that time, he has spent 14 years as Programme Leader on the BSc. (Hons) Applied Sport and Exercise Science. His main research interest is the role of muscular strength (acute and chronically) and its role in (i) running performance, (ii) offsetting fatigue-related changes in gait, (iii) overuse injuries. Phil is a UK Athletics Level 4 middle-distance running coach, coaching for a local athletics club. He has coached GB U23, GB Students, GB U20, and GB U18 runners, along with Inter-Counties, British Universities and England Schools medallists. Previously, he has been the UK Athletics Regional Coach (North East England) for Endurance Events. Phil has also provided sport science support to numerous local athletes, some of whom have competed at international championships including the Olympics, World Cross-Country Championships and Commonwealth Games.