Show notes
John O’Malley began coaching cross country & track at Carl Sandburg High School in 2003. His cross country teams have qualified for the Illinois State Meet every year since 2003 - including State champs in 2015 and runner-ups in 2014. He is the only U.S. high school coach with two different Foot Locker national cross country champions - Dylan Jacobs in 2017 and Lukas Verzbicas in 2009 & 2010. His 4 x 800 meter relay teams have been All-State every year since 2012 - including first place finishes in 2015, 2016 and 2018 and runner-up finishes in 2014 and 2017. His 2016 team holds the 4 x 800 Illinois State meet record with a time of 7:37.36.In this EvelChat John & Derek discuss many issues around the topic of endurance training for high school athletes, including:Objectives and views of coaching at various levels of coaching in the United StatesPriorities in high school coachingProper developmental protocols vs. optimal training for success in high schoolMetabolic vs mechanical / speed approaches in endurance trainingVolume as a base metric for high school endurance coachesDemands & stresses on the US high school athleteBeginning a grade 9 endurance athletePolar approaches to training in endurance trainingUsing extended endurance runsBeing “fast” vs. being “fit”Balancing being competitive against providing appropriate programmingLong term impact of “The Grindfest” vs. prioritizing restThe realities of preparing US distance runners for collegiate competitive demandsCulture vs. instruction in the US educational systemThe realities of child preparation post-COVIDThe problems with classic stage loaded / metabolic-only approaches in endurance trainingJohn’s approach to 800m training800m training in US high schoolsOrganizing extended runs in training