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Training hard does not require technical expertise but training effectively does. Economy is crucial to athletic performance, but most athletes do not work on from, mainly due to lack of technical expertise. When was the last time you worked on improving your technique or form?
It is important to get visual feedback and sound advice when working on economy. Athletes are often mislead by what they hear from other athletes. Have a licensed coach put some eyes on you, or better yet a video camera. Any improvement you make in economy means less energy you expend for more speed.
| Nutrient Balance for Athletic Performance |
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Carbohydrate is the optimal energy for high intensity aerobic and anaerobic exercise. For optimal performance, an athlete should eat a calculated balance of macronutrients.
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| Featured Work Out- Plyo Jumps |
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Plyometrics involves quick, strong muscular contractions to build speed and power. Power and speed are, of course, is very crucial to running and cycling. Your foot must forcefully contact the ground to produce run speed, and forcefully push on the pedals to produce power.
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| The Sport Factory Welcomes Coach Dale Magnin |
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Coach Dale Magnin of Reno Nevada is our newest addition to The Sport Factory. We are fortunate to have his expertise, skill, and patient coaching style.
Dale has run over 55 marathons, with a best of 2:34. At age 53 he still competes with the ferocity of a determined �old� athlete (Dale actually runs better times now than when he was 17years old). In his life he has run a 4:40 mile, a 25 minute 8k (at altitude) and a 72 minute half-marathon. He has won marathons and many road races. Dale was on a national champion team in the National Masters Track Meet (4x800).
Not only is Dale an excellent athlete, he is an experienced coach. He has coached 3 State Champions and one National champion. He has coached successfully at several Nevada high schools and continues to direct his athletes as adults.
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| Training Technique |
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Having an effective training plan is very important, but if you are reinforcing bad habits with your training you are working against yourself. Technique, form, and skill are often overlooked facets of training. Athletes should spend a portion of each season perfecting their form, just as they work on strength, endurance, and speed.
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| Peak Running Speed |
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If there was just a single factor that you could work on that might improve your racing, what do you think it might be?
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| Gear Guide- TP Massage Ball |
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Running and cycling involve very limited range of motion. If you do not include regular flexibility exercises in your training routine, you will begin to loose flexibility, which can lead to injury. You may also develop muscle knots or "trigger points," even if you stretch regularly.
The treatment for trigger points involves a therapy technique called myofascial release. A therapeutic massage therapist uses pressure to release these knots. If you are a pro runner or cyclist regular massage work is part of your training. Unfortunately for the rest of us this may not be financially feasable or practical.
Trigger Point Technologies makes a variety of self massage and therapy products. They are simple, easy to use, and effective. I have been using the TP Massage Ball and roller to work on my IT band and muscle knots. I have found these to work very well in releasing areas that stretches are not as effective in. The products come with an instructional DVD and booklet.
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| Pedal Triangles To Ride Faster |
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Improving your pedal stroke efficiency is one of the most effective ways to improve cycling performance.
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Simple Drills to Improve Run Economy |
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Utilizing your energy in the most efficient manner possible is the key part of speed progression. Simply put; the more fluid and graceful you are, the less oxygen you will be using as you run.
Read On.... |
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