MY MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT:
Can I learn to run faster, or is running speed a natural gift? Answer - Sometimes it is a natural gift, but for the majority of athletes, the Coach can manufacture or "craft," the athlete.
Why is this so?With many athletes, their talent is hidden within the body but because it could lay upside down and back the front - it lies dormant and unrecognizable. However, Coaches have the ability to read body language and alter body programming.
This a difficult task but can I do it myself by reading for instance?No, this is definitely a hands on task and requires not only knowledge but physical and repetitive firing patterns of the Neuromuscular Nervous System. The N.N.S is the system responsible for the production of speed. In other words, the brain needs to be retrained and it not only takes a lifetime to learn but the teaching must be hands-on with each individual athlete.
Should I do HEAVY WEIGHT training to gain strength for my running?It depends on age, build and ability of the athlete. However for Little Athletes, I can answer this with a definite answer of “No” as hypertrophy (over-enlargement of muscle fibres) is to be avoided. So if you are in Little Athletics avoid weight training at all costs.A muscle will work faster, if it gains in strength - but does not gain in size. This latter type of strength takes much longer in adapting to, but the adaptation is far more sound and by the use of lighter weights.Many athletes who do not understand the pitfalls of hypertrophy, actually get too big for their bone structure and side-effects can include, becoming sluggish, decreased range of movement, and loss of elasticity.
I was running really well last year but this year I appear to be slowing - why?Remember that little athletes are always growing and changing in body size and mass. Every year the young body evolves further and sometimes it just can’t cope with the new loading of muscle groups, nerve firing patterns and change of bone structures. It will take time to get used to this new loading capacity so don’t panic. I am very small will I grow ? The answer is yes you will. Up to the age of about 19years there will be different rates of growth for all Little Athletes in particular. Rest assured that I have seen many tiny athletes particularly boys who are 5ft when they are 13 yrs and 6ft 2inches by the time they are 18 years of age. I have put on a lot of weight and I am only 12 years old - will I thin down. Yes, you may very well trim down over the coming few years as we call this excess weight "Puppy Fat. " Exactly the same as little puppies when they are young. You will lose Puppy fat as you get older into your teen years and the muscles will then take over and the heaviness and slowness that you felt ,will disappear. Good news !!!! I feel really sick before a race - what is wrong with me ? Answer - Nothing !! Remember that if you don't feel nervous then you won't run as well as can be expected. Try and treat your nerves as your friend and realise that you wont run fast without them. I know they make you feel a little sick but remember , when the gun goes - so will the nerves. SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO EMAIL ME 24/7 FOR FREE ADVICE :
Why is this so?With many athletes, their talent is hidden within the body but because it could lay upside down and back the front - it lies dormant and unrecognizable. However, Coaches have the ability to read body language and alter body programming.
This a difficult task but can I do it myself by reading for instance?No, this is definitely a hands on task and requires not only knowledge but physical and repetitive firing patterns of the Neuromuscular Nervous System. The N.N.S is the system responsible for the production of speed. In other words, the brain needs to be retrained and it not only takes a lifetime to learn but the teaching must be hands-on with each individual athlete.
Should I do HEAVY WEIGHT training to gain strength for my running?It depends on age, build and ability of the athlete. However for Little Athletes, I can answer this with a definite answer of “No” as hypertrophy (over-enlargement of muscle fibres) is to be avoided. So if you are in Little Athletics avoid weight training at all costs.A muscle will work faster, if it gains in strength - but does not gain in size. This latter type of strength takes much longer in adapting to, but the adaptation is far more sound and by the use of lighter weights.Many athletes who do not understand the pitfalls of hypertrophy, actually get too big for their bone structure and side-effects can include, becoming sluggish, decreased range of movement, and loss of elasticity.
I was running really well last year but this year I appear to be slowing - why?Remember that little athletes are always growing and changing in body size and mass. Every year the young body evolves further and sometimes it just can’t cope with the new loading of muscle groups, nerve firing patterns and change of bone structures. It will take time to get used to this new loading capacity so don’t panic. I am very small will I grow ? The answer is yes you will. Up to the age of about 19years there will be different rates of growth for all Little Athletes in particular. Rest assured that I have seen many tiny athletes particularly boys who are 5ft when they are 13 yrs and 6ft 2inches by the time they are 18 years of age. I have put on a lot of weight and I am only 12 years old - will I thin down. Yes, you may very well trim down over the coming few years as we call this excess weight "Puppy Fat. " Exactly the same as little puppies when they are young. You will lose Puppy fat as you get older into your teen years and the muscles will then take over and the heaviness and slowness that you felt ,will disappear. Good news !!!! I feel really sick before a race - what is wrong with me ? Answer - Nothing !! Remember that if you don't feel nervous then you won't run as well as can be expected. Try and treat your nerves as your friend and realise that you wont run fast without them. I know they make you feel a little sick but remember , when the gun goes - so will the nerves. SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO EMAIL ME 24/7 FOR FREE ADVICE :