CORNWALL COUNTY AA

SEPTEMBER 2006 NEWSLETTER

 

During recent BBC broadcasts Michael Johnson has repeatedly said that British athletes do not do enough conditioning, and he could be right, when you consider that American international athletes begin their season in April and are still pulling out credible performances in September, where most British internationals begin their competition late in June and are either injured or ‘tired’ by September. So the question is, do we do enough conditioning? To help you consider this along with others, you could do no better than come along to the Training Planning Workshop delivered jointly by myself and Larry Garnham at Grampound community centre, 10am Sunday 1st October. (Grampound is half way between St Austell and Truro. The hall is at the bottom of the hill behind the school)

TRAINING PLANNING WORKSHOP

Subjects to be covered include periodisation, progressing towards summer and peaking for competition. We shall look at all of the training elements involved, including endurance, speed endurance, weight conditioning, weight training for strength or power, stretching, mobility, circuits, specific event techniques, and where these should be phased into a programme. From the experiences of those present we can look at methods of Adapting facilities and testing progress. Why not bring sandwiches and stay on for lunch prior to the Coaching Forum. There could be a minimal cost of about £2 to cover refreshment and hall rental. (Credit levels are being applied for)

Please let Larry ( 01637 874573) or myself (01209 891101) know if you are interested. (1571 applies if I am out)

PERFORMANCE LEVELS

Either we are in the sport to provide fitness and fun for children or we are in it to provide a competitive edge to athletics. Either way, planning athlete’s progress is important, and if we are looking for competitive edge then it becomes imperative. Performances tend to go in waves, and were sprinters are at the beginning of a roll, middle distance appears to be heading for a dip, if the results at the SEAA and SW inter-counties are anything to go by. If your discipline is in a state of flux then now is time to either capitalise on it or turn it around. Either way, start planning, and if you need a mentor, then ask.

ENDURACE DAY

A full days coaching for endurance athletes, starting with sand dune training and going on to a two course lunch, a talk on nutrition, and a practical session of gait analysis and footwear. I am also negotiating for an international coach and athlete to come along, plus an introduction to strength training for those who have never done any. Sunday 22nd October Crantock Bay Hotel, near Newquay. 10am. Cost £15 including lunch. I must have names by 15th October

POWER of 10 COUNTY SQUADS.

The standard of setting individual events is raising some questions, which is good, because this way we should arrive at an acceptable solution. The whole idea of the county squad is to select athletes who have a realistic chance of achieving the South West benchmark for the Power of 10, and the concept of the Power of 10 scheme is to raise the standard of performance, particularly in the older age groups.

COUNTY SPRINTS

I shall be holding a beach session for the County Sprint squad on Sunday 15th October at Crantock beach car park, 10am. A list of qualifying athletes will be issued soon after the last South West league match.

YOU AND YOUR ATHLETES

When I first started coaching in Cornwall, the squad I was helping had an annual get together to congratulate winners and outline the future plan, this involved athletes and parents, and I was impressed, because it helped bond the squad together. Not a bad idea if you’ve never tried it.

 

If you have email and want to receive regular newsletters, please contact me

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Level 2 in Truro on November 4/5th If you want it, contact Mo Pearson at the Sports Partnership

 

Tony Lett 01209 891101 tony.lett1@btopenworld.com