Question and Answer Section

RealistSpy

Does tartan track really improve your performance?
Is it possible to improve your performance within 2 weeks?
How much does alcohol affect your performance/training?
Does the faster you move your harms affect your speed compare to your leg turn over?
Leg turnover depends on the strength of your quads or hamsings?
Why isn't Irish athletics being broadcasted on Tv?

ecoli

RealistSpy wrote: »

Does tartan track really improve your performance? YES and average middle distance runner can get between 1 and 2 seconds a lap
Is it possible to improve your performance within 2 weeks? Training usually wont show improvements for 2 weeks to a month.... USUALLY
How much does alcohol affect your performance/training? Hard to tell contary scientific evidence on this matter
Does the faster you move your harms affect your speed compare to your leg turn over? Driving your arms can show improvement in peformance more so in sprints than middle distance.Leg turnover depends on the strength of your quads or hamsings? NO explosive power and strength are seperate
Why isn't Irish athletics being broadcasted on Tv? Cutbacks due to the dreaded "R" and the geniuses think people would rather watch repeats of soaps etc

Hope these can help

RealistSpy

How do you go on about being a full-time athlete?
My right leg is the stronger leg, so on the blocks should my right leg be on the first block and the left leg be behind? How does the block work?

RoyMcC

RealistSpy wrote: »

How do you go on about being a full-time athlete?
My right leg is the stronger leg, so on the blocks should my right leg be on the first block and the left leg be behind? How does the block work?

1. I think the answer is - train until you are kicking everyone else's ass consistently and making national teams. Then you'll have bargaining power.

2. You drive off the front leg so yes, right leg on front block. But if you are not used to blocks get to a track and borrow a set for half an hour. Get the feel of them, the various settings etc. Then when you're happy, make a note of the settings so you can set up straight away at race time.

RealistSpy

Thankjs its just like I see lots of people putting their left leg on the front block. But me as an average joe my right leg is stronger than my left leg and my right hand is stronger than my right hand.

I have also been trying both starting with the right block and left block. I feel more power with my right leg but I hav enever tried that in any competition.

I have also started doing hill sprints and my hand technique is different on the hill sprints than on the track. Lately I have started using my hill sprint hand technique on the track.

My usual hand technquie was my 2 hand straight and wildly open and now my right hand is losely clenched and my left handopenly clenched. This is the same techinque i use in 400m sprints

If you understand me

RoyMcC

Crikey you've lost me on the hand technique I'd say on the list of things to work on for a sprinter that is near the bottom.

RealistSpy

Yeh but if your hands are not relaxed or don't move fast enough your leg won't go either.

RoyMcC

Ah, now I follow. I thought it was the positioning of the hands in the block starts like :pac: Yep, upper body relaxation starting with the hands and flowing up through the arms/shoulders is essential for sprinters - all runners really. Very hard to convince the youngsters they can go faster if they relax under pressure!

RealistSpy

Hill sprinting gives/improves your running economy right? same as running 400m in terms of running economy?

RoyMcC

Umm, basically short, sharp hill sprints will improve leg power. (Longer reps over shallower hills - Kenyan hills - is more for distance people building leg strength and endurance).

Downhill runs for leg turnover and for working the quads.

Running economy/efficiency is down to a shedload of things that are best dealt with in a coached situation rather than on the Net.

RealistSpy

Who are the top 10 best sprinters in leinster Junior - Senior? If you also know their PB.

RealistSpy

Would you rather be last than not show up for a race because you think you would be last?

shels4ever

RealistSpy wrote: »

Would you rather be last than not show up for a race because you think you would be last?

I'd rather be last and have been before ran a few pb's coming last or close to last years ago.

hurdler2009

RealistSpy wrote: »

Would you rather be last than not show up for a race because you think you would be last?

Yes I would definitely prefer to be last as I don't see anything wrong with coming last as long as you have given 100% and have ran close enough to your p.b./s.b. Also if you don't turn up for a race because you think you are going to be last and somebody else doesn't run well then you have missed your opportunity to beat them and that will play on your mind when you have seen the results.
It is different in sprints but over the longer distances it is very hard to get a good time when you win by a country mile.
One thing I think is extremely important is that you should never fear anyone on the startline as the worst thats going to happen is they will beat you. The more somebody beats you, the sweeter it is when you finally beat them!!!:p

RealistSpy

I have to be a graceful winner I am going to break a PB thanks.

meathcountysec

RealistSpy wrote: »

Would you rather be last than not show up for a race because you think you would be last?

Don't have a choice at the moment:rolleyes: Most races I turn up for I am last:P If I didn't want to finish last I wouldn't be running at all:eek: (A special word of thanks for all those finish line officials who wait around for me to finish:D)

RealistSpy

I know how you feel mate. I just started running this year and I need more competition experience. I found out that I have 75% fast twitch fibres.

Running Bing

RealistSpy wrote: »

I know how you feel mate. I just started running this year and I need more competition experience. I found out that I have 75% fast twitch fibres.

How did you find that out RealistSpy?

RealistSpy

Got injured badly 2 years ago on holiday and after surgery I was told so. I hope its true though he did a muscle biopsy.

RealistSpy

Does any body know how the irish standard was determind?
Irish Standard

thirtyfoot

RealistSpy wrote: »

Does any body know how the irish standard was determind?
Irish Standard

This isn't really a standard. The guy who does the stats, from Finland, does stats on practically every race in the world, track and country anyway. But he needs to have a cut-off for which to accept a standard as being ok to go into his ranking lists. He set these standards specifically for Ireland as he was getting random requests from people as to why their time wasn't on the ranking so it saves him time explaining each time that he can't include every performance. On the AI site there will only be the times inside these standards that will be included on the rankings or else the top 20 in each event.

RealistSpy

Ah ok shame you have to pay to check his site I would love to know what rtank I am . Well who wouldn't.

RealistSpy

How do I get fit for 200m while improving my 100m at the same time? Doing 300m or 400m at slow pace?

RealistSpy

A quick question guys.

I notice when ever I have sprinting a relaxed state usually with my hands open ( I run way faster this way) my shoulders gets tired /sore. why is this? Usually during the 200m. Should I notify my physio about this?