Sustained Activities
7
Learning the skill of pace judgment is quite a challenge for most children, indeed, a high percentage
of young athletes and sometimes even elite athletes set off far too quickly in endurance activities and
many find themselves distressed after a short period of time.
It is important for the coach always to work within the capability of each young athlete and not to
push him or her to achieve unrealistic times set by the fastest in the group. For example, a very good
12 year old may be recording around 2 minutes 32 seconds for 800 metres whilst other good club
members may be capable of around 3 minutes. The coach needs to recognise these different ability
levels and be careful to ensure that young athletes are working at their own pace.
7.2.1 Practical Application of Pace Judgment
The purpose of the following exercise is not to set new targets but to teach young athletes economy
and self-control over the distance they are running. The application of control will improve
performance with a more even expenditure of effort.
7.2.1.1 Pace Run - Introduction
‘Pace Schedules’ for 800 metres and 1500 metres showing split times for even pace running are
shown in Section 7.2.1.5.
The aim is to help achieve times in competition so in training young athletes using the 800m pace
schedule should not exceed 400m runs and 1500m trials should be run over a maximum of 600m.
These maximum distances should only be attempted after a gradual build-up to achieve cardio-
vascular fitness and confidence in the young athletes ability. For athletes under 11 years it may be
advisable to further sub-divide the 'Pace Schedules' into 50 metres segments rather than just the
100 metres segments.
Emphasise to young athletes that they are not to race and must try to keep within their own
individually allocated pace schedule. Provided the target times have been set correctly the young
athletes will be running within their own capabilities and they will recover very quickly. However,
a sufficient rest period should always be given between trials.
When a young athlete has become experienced in pace judgment through training sessions, he or
she can then be allowed to participate in a time-trial on an individual basis, this is done over at least
two-thirds and not more than three-quarters of the competition distance. Therefore young athletes
wishing to compete at the 800m will participate in a 600m time-trial and those wishing to compete
at the 1500m will participate in a 1000m time-trial. Again, the 'Pace Schedules' for these distances
can be seen in Section 7.2.1.5. If the young athletes can run comfortably and hit their given 'Pace
Schedule' in these time-trials, they should be confident of achieving their target times during
competitions.
7.2 Pace Judgment
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