Youth Runner Magazine March-April 2017

STRATEGIES FOR RUNNING THE 800 METER MARCH-APRIL 2017 $4.95

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KEEPING UP WITH THE YOUTH RUNNER BLOGGERS

8TH GRADER

GRACE PING

IS BUSTING WORLD RECORDS GET THE LATEST @ YOUTHRUNNER.COM

YOUTH RUNNING™ | YOUTH TRACK & FIELD™ | YOUTH XC™

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YR MOMENTS INSPIRATION WHEN YOU NEED IT We were inspired when we saw this young girl waiting and watching for a runner with a lost shoe to comeback around again so she could make the hand off.

KLOTZ IMAGES

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YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 3

YR CONTENTS: MARCH-APRIL 2017

READY.SET.GO

Vol. 22 Issue 1

8TH GRADER

GRACE PING 8

FEATURE

SAM GEHRKE

CHECK IT OUT

SPECIAL

ALIYAH CAPON

AND 13 TRIATHLETE DISTANCE RUNNER

16-17 FAN SHOTS 18-19 MEET HIGHLIGHTS

20

KEEPING UP WITH YR ATHLETES TRAINING

27 SUBMIT AN ATHLETE 29 COMING UP

24

800 METER RUN STRATEGIES

MORE

2-3 YRMOMENTS

6

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: IAN KESTERSON

7 YRZANEBLOGGER FODGE

14-15 POSTER YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 5

YR

EDITOR

VOL. 22 ISSUE 1 | MARCH/APRIL 2017 PUBLISHER/EDITOR Dan Kesterson

Smotherman Images

EDITOR AT LARGE Ian Kesterson

EDITOR

Hey Team, Take a look, everyone! Outdoor Track Season is back and we're excited here at Team Youth Runner.

But before we get to our training tips and review for getting fast around the oval, let's check back a bit on winter.

We sure hope you all had a bit of down time. Winter is perfect for chilling out and recharging your batteries.

If you do it right, the winter rest can be like carbo-loading for the whole year (pro tip: eat extra cookies for extra relaxing.) It's also a good time to look back and reflect and make new goals for the future.

This issue we caught up with super fast and talented Grace Ping and

EDITOR'S NOTES 6 | MARCH/APRIL 2017

ART DIRECTOR Sean Kesterson CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Eric Skelton

Ian Kesterson, Youth Runner Editor at Large

LETTER FROM THE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & BLOGGERS Ciara Martinez, Jesse Lambrecht, Faith Martinez, Ethan Vargas, Espen Lehnst, Mick Grant, Cregg Wienmann, Taitum Schaap, Zane Fodge, Olivia Stein, Bill Peyton, Khadevis Robinson

did just that. We took an easy run around town and asked her about her year, what gets her going so fast, and what she's planning on for 2017.

In XC, she placed 6th in the NXNs as an eight grader & won her race at USATF JO XC Nationals, so you know she coming into 2017 with some momentum.

What do you want to do in 2017?

We're here to keep your training on track, help you find the gear that can keep up with you, and motivate you to make running fun.

Show us what's going as you train and race in 2017 by tagging #youthrunner in your photos and we'll see you on the track.

See you on the course, Ian Kesterson

CHECK OUT OUR “KEEPING UP” PAGE WHERE WE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PAST BLOGGERS & EDITORS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Klotz Images, Sam Gehrke, Smotherman Images, PSImages, Eric Ward, Photo Run, Craig Wise, Dingo Images, Instagrammers, SpartanKids, Fans WEBSITE-DIGITAL-VIDEO Sean Kesterson

THANKS TO: Ocean Breeze, Blue Goose Productions, all the track & field volunteers everywhere ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIPS dank@youthrunner.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES US One Year: Print $14.95 Subscribe at www.youthrunner.com Digital Subscription $9.95 Get the App at all app stores PUBLISHED BY: Youth Runner Magazine is a registered trademark of GoSportz Media LLC. Published 5 times a year by GoSportz Media, LLC Copyright 2017 all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. Editorial contributions are welcome, submit queries to editor@ Youthrunner.com. Gosportz Media LLC and it’s publisher assumes no liability for the content or opinion of it’s writers or advertisers and reserves the right to reject any advertising at it’s own discretion. Youth Runner recommends that you consult with your coach and your physician on any changes with your training, fitness and health issues.

YOUTH RUNNER

BLOGGERS ZANE'S FAVORITES

Athlete

Zane Fodge HS Sophomore McMinnville, Oregon

ZANE FODGE:

Klotz Images

YR BLOGGER & DISTANCE RUNNER Hello, Zane here! I'm a sophomore middle-distance runner hailing from the small town of McMinnville, Oregon and my running journey officially began as a 6th grader on the middle school track team. Like most kids that age, I tested the waters by signing myself up for the 100m and the 400m under the impression that my talent was sprint-oriented.

I soon found that I was a pretty decent sprinter, but an even better distance runner, as the school's distance coach saw my potential and lured me into the long and dark realm of middle distance running. I don't know what about it was particularly appealing to me, but for some reason I fell head over heels in love with torturing my body and lungs as a 1500m runner.

Since the 6th grade I've gone on to win quite a few races on the track as well as off the track. I'd say my biggest accomplishment to date has been competing at Nike Cross Nationals in Portland this past fall and placing 83rd of nearly 200 of the nations best. Although not completely thrilled with

the outcome of the race, the result was quite promising and I'm confident that next year I will be telling a different story. In fact, just recently I decided to quit basketball, my first love, to concentrate and fully dedicate myself to my goal of becoming one of the best runners Oregon (and maybe even the nation) has ever seen.

My advice to any kids out there reading this is that you shouldn't ever confine yourself to what you're comfortable with. Expanding your comfort zone, keeping an open mind, and trying new things will always put you in a good place--and hey, you might just become a decent distance runner in the process.

I AM:

Creative, intelligent, compassionate, authentic, and strong-willed.

XC Course

Movie

Artist

WHAT ARE ZANE'S

FAVORITES? Color: A hue of mauve Music: Hip Hop/Rap Artist: Lil Yachty XC Course: Magic Forest @ Oregon Country Fairgrounds School Subject: History Breakfast Cereal: Marshmallow Mateys Favorite Athlete: Galen Rupp Celebrity Crush: Rihanna Movie: The Truman Show

Cereal

TAG PHOTOS #YOUTHRUNNER

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 7

SAM GEHRKE 8 | MARCH/APRIL 2017

8TH GRADE DISTANCE RUNNER

GRACE PING! ALTHOUGH GRACE PING MAY BE ONLY THIRTEEN YEARS OLD, SHE HAS BROKEN SEVEN DIFFERENT WORLD RECORDS.

AGE: 8th grade SCHOOL: Treasure Mountain Junior High, Park City, Utah

BY OLIVIA STEIN

race Ping's most recent world record was set at the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot in a time of 16:36 for the 5k. She was 16th in the professional women’s field and set a new world record for 13 year old girls.

G

At the New Balance Nationals last June she placed second in a loaded field.

Her time of 16:44.80 smashed the old record by ten seconds. When Youth Runner asked her how she felt about this performance she said, “I feel less nervous when running against faster girls or good competition.” The following day, she finished seventh in the two mile with a time of 10:28.66. This time broke her previous world record, and also Jordan Hasay’s record for thirteen year olds by five seconds.

Outside from setting age group records, Grace Ping has many other accomplishments to be proud of. Last year as a 7th grader while competing with Cotter High school, Grace won the Minnesota Section 1A race with a time of 17:48, over two minutes faster than second place. A week and a half later

she became Minnesota’s youngest state champion by winning the Class A race in 17:52. After the state meet, Grace continued to race and compete well.

She placed third in a talented field at the Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional race. Not only was this an incredible performance, her third place got her an invitation to Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon. At the national meet, Grace placed fourteenth. During track season, Grace earned State Champion titles in the 1600 and 3200. This year as an 8th grader Grace returned to NXN’s for a 6th place finish and won her race at the USATF Junior Olympic Nationals in Hoover, AL.

long run of ten miles. In addition to running, she does a variety of core workouts and other exercises. Since May, Tom Schwartz has coached Grace.

Schwartz also coaches Drew Hunter who is one of nine high school boys to break the four­-minute mile. She does most of her training with her father.

EACH WEEK, GRACE DOES 1K VELOCITY WORKOUTS, 5-6 MILE DAILY RUNS, AND A 10 MILE LONG RUN.

In order to prepare herself for competition, Grace runs six days a week. On those six days Grace does 1k velocity workouts, 5-6 mile daily runs, and a

Grace isn’t the only fast kid in her family, She has a sister Lauren age 11, and a brother Jamison age 8. They’re also good runners and both won their USATF XC Regionals. Jamison took 5th at Nationals and Lauren was 23rd.

In the future, Grace hopes to become a professional runner and compete in the Olympic Games.

Her dream came to her in elementary school, and she has been working hard every day to achieve it. No one is sure what the future holds, but as Grace continues to smash records, things certainly look bright.

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 9

Q&A WITH GRACE: YR: How was the NXN weekend and experience?

It was so much fun with all the gear, hanging out with new friends, and being at the Nike headquarters. The race was really fun too, the course was really soft but it was a lot of fun.

It’s super pretty but it took me a lot of time to get adjust to the altitude. The whole atmosphere is different obviously and meeting new people is tough.

When did you start running?

I learned how to at about age one.

Do you run with your brother and sister?

The funnest race you’ve ever run?

Nike Cross Nationals.

What about the most difficult?

Nike Cross Nationals.

Who are your role models?

My parents.

How do you stay motivated?

We do similar workouts, but each with different paces. No, we don't run together.

Thinking about the end goal probably.

Do you visualize before a race?

Did you meet your expectations?

Sometimes...I don't like say okay, now it's time to visualize, I just kind of do it.

Yeah, I had a good race.

Any advice you’d like to offer to other Youth Runners?

Did you do anything different this year than you did in your race last year at NXN’s?

Just do your best.

Last year I didn’t really have as much of a strategy. This year I was just trying to get out at the back of the lead pack and work to catch up with them.

GRACE’S FAVORITES: Color: Blue or Rose Gold App: Instagram Book: 11 Birthdays Series by Wendy Mass School Subject: English Movie: Soul Surfer Sport besides running: XC Skiing & Soccer To do other than sports: Hangout with friends NBA Player: Steph Curry Cereal: I don't eat cereal Thing to do with family: Ski/Hike/ Run/Travel

You ran in the San Jose Turkey Trot recently, what can you tell us about that?

That was super fun, it was four laps, it was a fast flat course.

Your family moved to Park City, Utah this year from Minnesota, what are the differences in PC and with your training?

8K GRACE'S 5K AGE 10 31:04.00 AGE 9 19:36.00 TIMES AGE 10 18:02.10 2 MILE AGE 11 17:28.30 4K AGE 12 16:44.80 AGE 11 11:03.58 AGE 13 13:20.81

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AGE 13 16:36.00

AGE 12 10:28.66

“I FEEL LESS NERVOUS WHEN RUNNING AGAINST FASTER GIRLS OR GOOD COMPETITION"

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 11

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WITH CONTINUOUS CU SHIONING

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See the film at saucon ny.com/ride *Results reflect EVERUN material comparred to traditional EVA. For comp parative, testing g an nd p product information o ple p ase visit saucony.com/EVERUN

83 % En ergy Re t urn**

YOUTH RUNNER

GIRLRUNNERS Triathletes are particular about their bikes, what kind do you ride?

My bike is a Specialized Ruby Elite.

What brand of shoes do you wear during triathlons?

For triathlons, I wear Asics Kayano's.

What's your advice for other kids that are thinking about triathlons?

ALIYAH CAPON

ALIYAH IS A TRIATHLETE AND IS TRAINING TO QUALIFY FOR THE 2018 ONTARIO SUMMER GAMES. YR: Aliyah, when did start doing triathlons and how did you choose them over just running?

I began triathlons when I was 8, and I loved them! I just love running, biking, and swimming. I can't decide which I like best so triathlons ended up being the perfect event for me!

What do you do for training?

I swim 5x a week and have 2 triathlon workouts! I started training in running and biking last year, with a triathlon coach. I've done many running races like the 3k, 5k, mud runs and triathlons over the last few years winning several gold medals, silvers, and I try to place top five. Next year is my qualifying year for the 2018 Ontario

Summer Games and I really want to compete! That's a goal for me :) What is the best triathlon experience you’ve had since you’ve been competing?

My best triathlon was probably Caledon in 2014 when I placed first. It was an Iron Kids race and the swim was in a pool. At the time I had been swimming for about five years. So I'm good with swimming in a pool but I don't normally do as well in triathlons when the swim is open water. This triathlon also started in heats so you don't really know how you will place until the results are posted. I remember my swim felt strong and when I came out of the water I felt my placement was good.

Swimming is normally a triathletes weakest part of the three so if you can strengthen that part, it not only improves your time but training in swimming will build your endurance for biking and running. I would also advise them to not go out too fast in swimming so you have energy for the bike and run. While in the bike and run, my strategy is to watch the person in front of you and try and pass them, then the next person in front of them and so on. Lastly, when racing a triathlon, take it one part at a time. First, focus on your technique for swimming, then transition, then stay in an aero dynamic position throughout the bike, again, a fast transition, then keep a fast turnover/pace on the run.

ALIYAH'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2014 ROAD TO HOPE 5K, 15TH OVERALL (547 WOMEN), 7TH OUT OF 96 PEOPLE IN HER AGE GROUP CALEDON TRIATHLON 1ST OVERALL FOR GIRLS

2015 3K ADVENTURE RUNNING KIDS MUD RUN-1ST OUT OF GIRLS 14U AND 3RD 14U OVERALL CALEDON TRIATHLON AGAIN WAS 1ST OUT OF GIRLS AND 4TH OVERALL

2016 LAKESIDE AND CAME 12TH OUT OF GIRLS AND 26TH OVERALL FAB 5K SHE WAS 3RD IN HER AGE GROUP AND 13TH OVERALL BELLE RIVER AND CAME 12TH OVERALL AND 4TH OUT OF GIRLS CALEDON TRIATHLON YET AGAIN AND GOT 2ND FOR 12-13 GIRLS YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 13

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SPARTAN KIDS CONQUERING OBSTACLES THESE KIDS GOT MUDDY, JUMPED, RAN, CLIMBED OVER OBSTACLES, NOW IT’S CELEBRATION TIME.

COURTESY OF SPARTANKIDS

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 15

INSTAGRAM

FANPAGE

KIDS RULE THE WORLD! WE JUST SHOWCASE THEM! HERE ARE SOME OF YOUR BEST SHOTS THIS SEASON! WANNA SEE YOUR OWN PHOTOS IN THESE PAGES? IT'S EASY! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS HASHTAG #YOUTHRUNNER WHEN YOU POST TO INSTAGRAM!

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YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 17

MEET HIGHLIGHTS KIDZ TRI3 If you’re new to triathlons it’s swimming, biking, and running.

These kids are competing and having fun.

Photos by Kidz Tri3

Column 1

PSAL MARTIN LUTHER KING JR RELAYS This meet takes place at the New Balance Armory in New York. This is a huge annual high school indoor meet.

Photos by The Armory 18 | MARCH/APRIL 2017

KNOXVILLE YOUTH ATHLETICS HS INDOOR MEET Youth track is a big deal in Knoxiville and the KVA is a big supporter.

Photos by Wallace Bowden

HOUSTON 5K KIDS These kids ran the 5K during the Houston Marathon weekend.

Photos by Photo Run

COLGATE WOMEN’S GAMES

The indoor meet series is open to all girls from elementary through college.

More than just a track meet they stress the important of personal achievement and education.

Photos by Lem Peterkin

FOOT LOCKER CHAMPIONSHIPS You qualify at regional meets around the country for a chance to run at Balboa Park against the best. This year the boys race was won by Reed Brown and the girls winner was Claudia Lane.

The time between cross country season and track & field is a great time to get refreshed and take another look at your goals. It’s also a time for some Indoor Track, 5K Runs, or some Off-Season Training. For indoor there is the Colgate Women’s Games, Armory Track, the Ocean Breeze Indoor Track, & 5K runs everywhere.

Photos by Photo Run YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 19

KEEPING UP WITH

YR ATHLETES, BLOGGERS, & EDITORS WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO LOOK BACK AND SEE WHAT SOME OF THE YR BLOGGERS, EDITORS, AND FEATURED ATHLETES HAVE BEEN DOING OVER THE LAST YEAR. THERE WERE MANY STORIES, HERE ARE JUST A FEW...

AJ PENA On the Cover in March-April '16 After a great showing at the AAU Track & Field Nationals In Houston, AJ laced up his cross country spikes and ran the fastest time in Texas for a 7th grader. Way to go AJ!

DYLAN CLOUD

YR Recipe Writer

We hear Dylan has been in the kitchen and has some new healthy snack ideas and recipes to share with us for track season.

JESSE LAMBRECHT YR Blogger & Shoe Reviewer

MATTI ERICKSON

On the Cover in Nov-Dec '16

We interviewed Matti right after he won the Alan Webb Middle School race. From there he went back to his home in Canada to win his Age Group Provincials and then ran in the High School Provincials where he placed 6th.

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High School student and distance runner at Kimberly HS, Jesse has been one of the best shoe reviewers ever at Youth Runner. He tested each shoe and wrote his reviews from the view of a high school runner.

AZAAN DAWSON On the Cover in Sept-Oct '16

EMMA SMITH

YR Blogger

The experience as a blogger during high school with Youth Runner made her realize that she wanted to be a journalist and is now at the University of Montana as a Journalism Student.

ELLA DONAGHU

Guest Editor Featured Athlete

She wrapped up her high school career with 10 State Champion titles and ran 4:14.11 at the Portland Track Festival, placing her No. 7 on the all-time high school 1,500 performers' list. She is now a freshman at Stanford running XC and Track, Ella made the All-West Region selection, and made her collegiate debut at the Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, placing 47th. She ran No. 5 on Stanford's fifth-place team at NCAA Championships and was among three freshmen in team's top five at NCAA's.

Won the 5th Avenue Mile 14 and under race in New York City. This is mainly an elite mile race where Olympians such as Matthew Centrowitz come to compete. The 14 and under race is a big deal though. At USATF XC Nationals Azaan was at the bottom of his age group but still finished in the top 25.

JORDAN HASAY

On the Cover as a High Schooler

Jordan was a superstar in high school, ran for University of Oregon and went pro. In August she face-timed in at the YR Elite Middle School Camp and answered questions for the campers.

She won the USATF 10 Mile Championships in October. Then in January she took on the Houston Half Marathon and ran a 1:08:4 for fourth place, and the sixth-fastest American of all time.

ALEXIS FERNANDEZ Featured Athlete

QUINCEY HETTINGER Guest Editor and Blogger

Quincy made it to XC Nationals every year since she was seven years old and was a regular blogger at Youth Runner. This year as a College Sophomore she is traveling on a mission for her church.

Lexi won her Region 15 race & the SCA in California. At AAU XC Nationals she took 1st in the 13 year olds division and 2nd overall as a 12 year old. Her time was a fast 13.41. Great season Lexi!

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 21

LEXY HALLADAY On the Cover July-August '16

CASEY LUM

Guest Editor

Casey was a key part of the Youth Runner Team for the last four years and is now at the Univ. of Washington.

Just a freshman Lexy won the Bandanna Jimmy Driscoll Invitational, the Tiger/Grizz, Roy Griak Invite, Bob Conley Invitational, Idaho 5A State Championship, she was 2nd at the NXR Northwest with a personal record of 17:26 and was 16th at Nike Cross Nationals. Can’t wait to see what Lexy will do during track season.

GALEN RUPP Guest Editor, Featured Athlete as a senior at Central Catholic HS

ETHAN VARGAS

YR Blogger

Ethan was undefeated in his regular cross country season and led his team to an undefeated season. He won his third straight National Lutheran Cross Country Championships title, and set a new national meet record. He led Trinity Academy to their first National Lutheran Cross Country Championships team title and earned All-American honors. At the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships, Ethan finished 15th and received USATF All-American honors for the first time.

It may take a few pages in a future issue of YR to list all of Galen’s accomplishments from high school, the University of Oregon, and his Professional Career. Last summer though, you may have tuned in to watch Galen run his very first marathon at the Olympic Trials then follow that up for a Silver Medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Sounds like the Marathon is working out pretty well for Galen.

ESPEN LENHST YR Blogger

CAMILLE NAPIER

Featured in Nov-Dec '16

In December Camille ran the Will Chamberlin Santa Stroll 8K in Georgia and broke a 16 year record held

by Lindsey Scherf set in 2000 (31:37) Camille's time was 29:52.

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Espen won the Greater Lansing Michigan Junior Championship in 11:22 and won by 22 seconds. He was the first 7th grader in the 30-year history of this meet to win which was a huge accomplishment. At USATF XC Nationals in Hoover he had his sights set on the win but he finished the 3k course in 5th place with a time of 10:54.10.

CHRISTINA SEVSEK On the Cover May-June '16 She placed second at her final Senior Girls BC High School Championship and her twin sister Julie placed third. They also both made the BC Junior Team for Nationals that took place in Kingston Ontario Canada and Christina placed ninth and Julie eleventh and placed second as a BC Team.

BRENDAN JOHNSON

Featured Athlete

5th grader Brendan had a long list of accomplishments in the 400m, 800m & the 1500m last year but the one that jumped out at us was his National Record in the 800 meter run at the USATF Junior Olympic Nationals with a time of 2:18.67.

CIARA MARTINEZ YR Blogger & Featured Athlete

Last January Ciara ran a world record in the 15K for 12 year olds at the Hot Chocolate Run in Texas.

She also plays basketball and during a middle school game she fractured her ankle, which took her out of running for the season. Good news is that she’s recovered and we’re looking forward to some good races from Ciara this year and some great blog posts.

TAITUM SCHAPP & FAITH MARTINEZ

YR Interviewers & Reporters

Besides competing in their own distance events Taitum & Faith managed to cover the Portland Indoor Track Classic, the IAAF World Indoor Championships, Portland Track Festival, Nike Pre Nationals, Nike BorderClash, and other Youth Meets.

Find their interviews at Youthrunner.com or the Youthrunnermag YouTube channel.

CLARA JAMES-HEER

YR Blogger & Featured Athlete

For Triathlons Clara was the Overall Winner (Super Sprint) at the 3 Disciplines Dream, Believe, Achieve Triathlon & the Overall Female Winner (Mini Sprint) at the Suburban Chevrolet Cadillac of Ann Arbor Tri Goddess Triathlon. At the Tri Greenville Triathlon U-10 Event Record Holder with a time of 13:34 & at the USA Triathlon Youth National Championships 5th place (10 year old girls) She was National Champion (second year in a row), XC Coaches National Championships & 2nd place for 10-year-old girls at the AAU Cross Country National Championships. So far Indoors she set a new PR in the 1600m with a time of 5:19 at the Michigan Indoor Track Series. She is planning on competing in the AAU Youth Indoor Nationals and the USATF Hershey Youth Championships.

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 23

ASK A

COACH

COACH BILL PEYTON SAT DOWN WITH KHADEVIS ROBINSON TO GET HIS ADVICE ON RUNNING THE 800M. KHADEVIS SHARED THESE TACTICS.

LEAD FROM THE FRONT: This strategy is usu-

ally performed if the runner feels like they can win the race or feel confident in their ability. If a runner feels like he/ she can run the legs out from under the other runners, he may choose to run from the front. Another advantage is you get to dictate the pace. You are the person that gets to decide how slowly or fast the race will go. This way, you will have a grasp of what you can do from that pace.

You also have the advantage of running the shortest distance if you are able to stay in lane 1 the entire race. The disadvantage of leading is that you break the wind for the other runners.

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Photos by Photo Run

STRATEGIES FOR THE 800 METER RUN Bill Peyton

You do not know what they are doing behind you and they are able to pace off of you. My philosophy is that if you are going to be someone who leads; you should make sure that you at least practice bits of it in training. Johnny Gray, David Rudisha and Alysia Montano are runners that use this tactic.

START IN THE MIDDLE: This is a tactic or

strategy that most people like. Most people choose to tuck in somewhere behind the leaders without being too far back. The advantage of starting from the middle is that you allow the front runners to break the wind for you. This allows you to have a pretty good grasp on where everyone is. You will not have

to make up too much ground and you are always in striking distance.

Running from the middle gives you the option to strike when you want and you are able to respond to any sudden movements or change of pace in the races. The disadvantage is that there could still be people behind you pacing off of you. Additionally, you will not be the person that dictates the race and usually the middle is where most of the traffic is at, so this could increase your chances of getting bumped, spiked or even tripped up.

Ajee Wilson, Clayton Murphy, Caster Semanya, and Gary Reed are runners that used these tactics.

RUNNING FROM THE BACK: This is a tactic or strat-

egy that the kickers like to use. The advantage is that it allows you to see what everyone else is doing. This strategy allows you to let everyone else block the wind for you and you can stay out of traffic and you can decrease the risk of being tripped up or spiked.

By knowing where everyone is at, you are able to adapt and adjust to anything that happens, while knowing no one is behind you coasting off of you. The disadvantage is that you are giving away a lot of ground. If anything happens, you could be too far away to respond and in a world class field if you are too far back it is very difficult to catch up. Nick Symmonds, Brenda Martinez and Yuri Borzakovsky are runners that used these tactics.

Obviously, if you are in the middle or back, you will have to find a way to move up into striking position. Earlier in my career, I liked running from the front because it allowed me to use my speed and allowed me to make it a proper race. I was not experienced enough to navigate through traffic and I was not patient enough to wait for things to open up.

In the middle of my career, I would run from the middle. This would allow me to not have to lead everyone but still stay in striking position.

I could determine if the pace was too fast or slow and adjust accordingly. The thing that I did not like running from the middle is that I have a long stride and I would often get spiked or tripped which would sometimes agitate me.

Khadevis Robinson

As I got older I would run from the back. The reason for this is because I was more focused on place and not time. By running from the back, I could always gauge what I needed to do to get a certain pace. I could run within myself and ensure that I did not go out too fast. At this point in my career, I was not concerned about going out too slow because I knew I could run off of a slow pace.

Obviously, the tactic you use all depends on what type of runner you are and what type of training you do. I have always been a believer that if you are better than everyone, why even play around and give them a chance. There are many ways to run a race and we all have to find out which tactic best suits our skill set.”

Bill’s complete interview is posted at www.youthrunner.com.

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 25

ASK A

COACH

One Turn Stagger start

800 METER RUN BASICS All outdoor tracks are 400 meters. So you run twice around for 800 meters.

Some races start with a "Waterfall Start," like the picture to the right. In that type of start you can cut in front of a runner when you have a onestride lead and you want to move to the first lane eventually. Many middle school races use this type of start.

The picture above shows a typical One Turn Stagger start for the 800-meter run. In this case you run

26 | MARCH/APRIL 2017

in your lane until you reach the first turn, then you may cut in to the first lane with a one-stride lead over anyone you pass. It is considered good strategy to do this at an angle rather than a straight line.

There are other combinations for starting an 800 race but most will be the One Turn Stagger style. In this race everyone wants to run in the first lane and typically there will be lots of people in close contact. So the strategy you decide on is important.

Waterfall start

SUBMIT AN

ATHLETE

ANGELO DEGOY

AGE 11, SAN JOSE CHARTER ACADEMY FREE SPIRIT CONDORS TC-WALNUT, CA

Track wasn’t Angelo’s first sport, he started as a running back on a youth football team. Anytime he could break free he made a touchdown, no one could catch him. People noticed his speed and suggested that he go out for track. His mom searched around and found the Free Spirit Condors in Walnut, California.

It was the middle of March last year when they joined the team and Angelo didn’t have any training in running but he was willing to give it a try and the coach signed him up for the 100M, 200M, 400M and Long jump. He was winning his heats and improving his time every week and qualified for Regionals.

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At Regionals in the 100m Dash 11-12 Division Boys Angelo qualified for the semis with a 12.68.

In the Semi’s he advanced with a run of 12.61. In the finals he finished 8th with a 12.96 effort. In the 200m his best time was in the prelims with a 26.03.

He advanced to the semis but fell short of the Finals. Not bad for a first timer running track with just half of the season of training under his belt.

This season he will be trying the 400m, 4x100, and eventually the hurdles. Good Luck, Angelo!

TOP DOG OF THE MONTH

SIX TIME NATIONAL HURDLES CHAMPION

AAU CHAMPION

Max Davies, 13 North York, Ontario

Alexander Nunley, 13 Garner, North Carolina

Caleb Hymans, 11 Annandale, Virginia

Max "The Machine" is the 2016 Bantam Boys 800m Athletics Ontario Indoor Champion, 1200m Outdoor Champion, & finished in the Top 5 at the XC Championships. In 2016 he won the Athletics Ontario Bantam Boys Male Distance Award.

Alexander is a hurdling phenomenon winning the 2015 Hershey Youth Indoor 80mh Nationals, the USATF Youth Outdoor& The AAU 80mh Nationals along with a National Record. He is also the AAU National Champ in the 100mh & 200mh.

Caleb was 3rd this year at the AAU XC Nationals for the 11-12 year old boys division and he was 2nd in the 3000m at AAU Track Nationals.

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YOUTH RUNNER TOP DOG OF THE MONTH

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COMING UP! HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS YOU’LL WANT TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR. FOR MORE DATES, CHECK YOUTHRUNNER.COM.

AAU MARCH 4-5TH | 14-UNDER YOUTH NATIONALS, EMU | YPSILANTI, MI MARCH 10-12TH | INDOOR YOUTH NATIONALS | LANDOVER, MD JUNE 29-JULY 2ND | WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIP | RENO, NV

YOUTH-USATF MARCH 10-12TH | USATF HERSHEY YOUTH INDOOR CHAMP | STATEN ISLAND, NY JULY 24-30TH | USATF NATIONAL JUNIOR OLYMPICS | LAWRENCE, KS

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KIDS-5K-10K MARCH 4TH | SPARTAN KIDS | CORTLAND, NY MARCH 6TH | HOT CHOCOLATE | SEATTLE, WA MARCH 11TH | SPARTAN KIDS | HEMPSTEAD, TX MARCH 13TH | SHAMROCK RUN | PORTLAND, OR MARCH 18 | SPARTAN KIDS | CONYERS, GA MARCH 18 | SPARTAN KIDS | LITTLEFIELD, AZ. MARCH 20TH | NEWPORT-MESA SPIRIT RUN | NEWPORT, CA APRIL 2ND | JUNIOR CARSLBAD | CARLSBAD, CA APRIL 8TH | SPARTN KIDS | CONCORD, NC APRIL 15TH | B.A.A. 5K & MILE | BOSTON, MA

INVITATIONALS MARCH 2ND | UAGTCA INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP MEET | BETHLEHEM, PA MARCH 10-12TH | NEW BALANCE INDOOR NATIONALS | ARMORY, NY MARCH 11TH | FLORIDA YOUTH INVITATIONAL | LAKE MINEOLA, FL MARCH 25TH | LA JETS RELAY CARNIVAL | WHITTIER, CA MARCH 25TH | GAINESVILL STRIDERS INVITE | GAINESVILLE, FL APRIL 1-2ND | LAS VEGAS HEAT INVITATIONAL | LAS VEGAS, NV APRIL 1-2ND | PHOENIX INVITATIONAL | MESA, AZ APRIL 16TH | SILVER CHEETAH INVITATIONAL, SSU | SAVANNAH, GA APRIL 29TH | CENTRAL FLORIDA GLIDERS | ALAMONTE, FL APRIL 29TH | NORTH TEXAS CHEETAHS YOUTH OPEN | DESOTO, TX APRIL 30TH | JAGUARS INVITATIONAL | BLOOMFIELD, CT. MAY 6TH | WINGS OF OMAHA INVITATIONAL | OMAHA, NE MAY 6TH | NJ YOUTH TRACK INVITATIONAL | EDISON, NJ

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