I am a sprinter at my school but i want to start running long distances to get me ready for the SEALs when i graduate. My coach says that if you run long distance it will mess up your speed, but i still want to sprint on the track team. Is my coach right or can I do both?
2006-06-18 08:40:21 · 8 answers · asked by Troy P 2 in Sports ➔ Other - Sports
It will slow you down if the only runs you do are 7+ miles at a time at very slow speed. As long as you mix in 150m striders and a tempo run every once in awhile you still should have great speed. The key is to mix in fast-twitch muscle workouts (ie sprinting, quick accelerations) with slow-twitch muscle workouts (distance) every couple days. Plus the tempo runs will help you get in shape faster, so it's a win-win.
2006-06-18 08:46:49 · answer #1 · answered by fortmillxc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I am both a cross country runner and a sprinter. I do hurdles (400im and 100hh) and I usually run the 100 and 400. I have been also doing cross country the past 3 years, and I've found that since cross country is the season right before or two seasons before winter/spring track, it really gets me in shape for sprinting. I think of cross country as a way to get my muscles in working order and getting all the extra fat off before my "real" season which are winter and spring track. Cross country is an awesome way to get in shape.
My school is a dominating one at track and field. At my school, almost half our sprinters also do cross country. It's great for us because we can keep in shape during the fall season. Our school is the top in our county (and it's a really hard county with really fast schools) in track. So, you can see that the cross country didn't really mess up anybody for our track team
Your coach probably was thinking about the different nerves in your legs for running. Long distance runners have 'slow twitch' nerves in their legs, while sprinters have 'fast twitch' nerves in their legs. But, each type of runner needs a little of the other one (ie. for a 400, you need stamina as well as ability to pump your legs fast, and for long distance you have to be able to 'kick' at the end of your race).
So, XC shouldn't be bad to you. In fact, it could get you into better shape! Either way you choose, good luck and have fun!
2006-06-18 10:09:39 · answer #2 · answered by Breakdancer Girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Breakdancer Girl's answer is great, but the fact is if you start running long distances your sprints are likely to slow down specifically because of the differences in muscles that she talked about. Not by too much, but if you're at a competitive level of sprinting your times will suffer slightly.
2006-06-18 17:45:19 · answer #3 · answered by comfort eagle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your coach is right.
At some point you and only will decide what is best for you.
2006-06-18 08:44:38 · answer #4 · answered by Edward 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, it will help you. The faster you can fun 5 miles the faster you can run 50 meters....long distances build up your lungs and your legs.
2006-06-18 08:46:05 · answer #5 · answered by c_c_runner88 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you can do both..i mean i do and it doesnt really mess it up
2006-06-18 08:46:57 · answer #6 · answered by Emily 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your coach is right,so just practice both and you will do great at both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-06-18 09:44:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
y should it matter?
2006-06-18 08:54:50 · answer #8 · answered by WakeBoardingboadingchik2006 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋