Training Characteristics of Male Junior Cross Country and Track Runners on European Top Level

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to describe training characteristics of distance junior runners at European top level. The athletes' training diaries for the 2008 season were analysed. The total training volume (km/week) performed over the different training periods was registered on five differentiated intensities. The results showed that during the building-up period for the season the junior runners ran an average of 132.5 ± 25.9 km/week. 78.3 ± 4.7 % of their weekly training distance (km/week) was continuous running with a heart rate (HR) between 62–82 % of maximum. During the track competition season the total weekly running distance was 115 ± 22.9 km/week. The training in the three last months before the European Cross Country Championship was very similar to the training in the building up period. In 2008, three of four tested V̇O2max, and the average was 79.2 ± 4.8 ml · kg-1 · min-1.