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Thursday 3 June 2010

Speedendurance.com

Time Trials in Training: Run Alone or in a Group?

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 09:00 AM PDT

When doing time trials during testing week, should you run alone, or as a group?

My early days with Coach Dennis Barrett were always in a group to simulate a race condition. Some of us didn't use starting blocks because our Club only owned two! As an Alan Wells fan, I would say "screw it" and get down on all fours on the track.

Later in my Masters years when I moved out West and trained with Laurier Primeau and Kevin Tyler's group, time trial runs were always individual. I'll admit, I had a hard time adjusting to that concept. The coach only has one set of eyes, so it's best to run them alone.

Today, we bring along our camcorders for immediate feedback.

Running alone means no distractions for the runner. No racing, no tensing up (or getting discouraged) trying to catch the person ahead of you. Just relax and focus on form. And run fast.

Should you do Time Trials Alone or in a Group?

Take a look at this training session on YouTube with Asafa Powell and the MVP group. Note how they "race" four at a time. Even mixing men and women. I assume they have 4 timers, too.

Should you do Time Trials alone or in a group?

First and foremost, this isn't cycling and the Tour de France. I am sure the opinions are mixed. Weaker athletes will definitely get drawn faster with a faster athlete in front. Women can feed off the men, though it must get discouraging to see the men pull away.

In Asafa Powell's 300m (fast forward to the 2:08 mark), he runs 31.60 and splits 200m in 20.28 according to the footage on the video. I assumed it's all hand timed.