Running Question

[GoArmy2022]

I understand that there's another thread that discusses something like this, but I have a slightly different scenario/question.

I have an LOA, 3Q, and Nom so I have fingers crossed for a BFE shortly.

I'm a Powerlifter. We do a lot of weights and basically no cardio unless we're cutting. This means cardio is a weakness of mine. To make up for this, I am joining Track. My question relates to the events. Should I join the one mile event or the two mile? I am afraid of joining the two mile because I don't want to lose too much muscle but I am worried that the one mile will be insufficient.

Thoughts?

 

[Stealth_81]

I understand that there's another thread that discusses something like this, but I have a slightly different scenario/question.

I have an LOA, 3Q, and Nom so I have fingers crossed for a BFE shortly.

I'm a Powerlifter. We do a lot of weights and basically no cardio unless we're cutting. This means cardio is a weakness of mine. To make up for this, I am joining Track. My question relates to the events. Should I join the one mile event or the two mile? I am afraid of joining the two mile because I don't want to lose too much muscle but I am worried that the one mile will be insufficient.

Thoughts?

Your training as a mile (actual event is 1600M) or two-mile (actual event is 3200M) runner for high school track will be identical for 95% of your practices. Most practices except for the day before a meet will start with stretches and then a 3-5 mile warm-up run followed by event practice running on the track. The end of practice will be starts and lane strategy with your event coach followed by another mile cool-down on the track. Almost all of this is combined for the distance runners because there are generally fewer of them than other events and the event coach is usually the same person. You will also be expected to run 3-5 miles on your own on days that do not have a practice or a meet.

Now, your high school coach may do this a bit differently but I would guess 99% of good track coaches follow a similar plan. If you are planning on going out for track this spring for distance you should be running at least 3-5 miles a day 5 days a week right now and getting in shape for the season. I realize that your powerlifting season is probably still going on so this may be difficult, but any running that you can do now will be better than none (my son was a powerlifter also). I coached track and cross-country for 16 years, 11 of it at HS varsity level, and I was also an assistant powerlifting coach when my son was involved.

Stealth_81

 

[GoArmy2022]

I understand that there's another thread that discusses something like this, but I have a slightly different scenario/question.

I have an LOA, 3Q, and Nom so I have fingers crossed for a BFE shortly.

I'm a Powerlifter. We do a lot of weights and basically no cardio unless we're cutting. This means cardio is a weakness of mine. To make up for this, I am joining Track. My question relates to the events. Should I join the one mile event or the two mile? I am afraid of joining the two mile because I don't want to lose too much muscle but I am worried that the one mile will be insufficient.

Thoughts?

Your training as a mile (actual event is 1600M) or two-mile (actual event is 3200M) runner for high school track will be identical for 95% of your practices. Most practices except for the day before a meet will start with stretches and then a 3-5 mile warm-up run followed by event practice running on the track. The end of practice will be starts and lane strategy with your event coach followed by another mile cool-down on the track. Almost all of this is combined for the distance runners because there are generally fewer of them than other events and the event coach is usually the same person. You will also be expected to run 3-5 miles on your own on days that do not have a practice or a meet.

Now, your high school coach may do this a bit differently but I would guess 99% of good track coaches follow a similar plan. If you are planning on going out for track this spring for distance you should be running at least 3-5 miles a day 5 days a week right now and getting in shape for the season. I realize that your powerlifting season is probably still going on so this may be difficult, but any running that you can do now will be better than none (my son was a powerlifter also). I coached track and cross-country for 16 years, 11 of it at HS varsity level, and I was also an assistant powerlifting coach when my son was involved.

Stealth_81

Thank you. So I suppose that between the one and two mile events, either is sufficient for Beast preparation because I'll be running 3-5 anyway?

 

[Artillery]

I understand that there's another thread that discusses something like this, but I have a slightly different scenario/question.

I have an LOA, 3Q, and Nom so I have fingers crossed for a BFE shortly.

I'm a Powerlifter. We do a lot of weights and basically no cardio unless we're cutting. This means cardio is a weakness of mine. To make up for this, I am joining Track. My question relates to the events. Should I join the one mile event or the two mile? I am afraid of joining the two mile because I don't want to lose too much muscle but I am worried that the one mile will be insufficient.

Thoughts?

Yea for track as far as races go it won't really matter cuz the practices at least for my team for distance runners is basically the same for 800s - 3200s save for a couple specialized workouts. The only thing is that, if you want to actually perform in the races better, I would probably do the mile just because 3200s are gonna be those guys who are walking skeletons and at a certain point it does make a difference how much weight you have and considering you're a powerlifter I'd wager you aren't a twig. You'll just do better at the mile or 8 IMO.

 

[USMAROTCFamily]

I understand that there's another thread that discusses something like this, but I have a slightly different scenario/question.

I have an LOA, 3Q, and Nom so I have fingers crossed for a BFE shortly.

I'm a Powerlifter. We do a lot of weights and basically no cardio unless we're cutting. This means cardio is a weakness of mine. To make up for this, I am joining Track. My question relates to the events. Should I join the one mile event or the two mile? I am afraid of joining the two mile because I don't want to lose too much muscle but I am worried that the one mile will be insufficient.

Thoughts?

Have you been recruited to be a powerlifter for West Point? If so, speak with the coach about this. Are you able to hold your own in distance runs now? If not, you will need to work on this as you gear up for Beast and beyond. You need to insure you are fit enough to not fall out of runs and be able to do well on the APFT.

 

[GoArmy2022]

Yea for track as far as races go it won't really matter cuz the practices at least for my team for distance runners is basically the same for 800s - 3200s save for a couple specialized workouts. The only thing is that, if you want to actually perform in the races better, I would probably do the mile just because 3200s are gonna be those guys who are walking skeletons and at a certain point it does make a difference how much weight you have and considering you're a powerlifter I'd wager you aren't a twig. You'll just do better at the mile or 8 IMO.

Have you been recruited to be a powerlifter for West Point? If so, speak with the coach about this. Are you able to hold your own in distance runs now? If not, you will need to work on this as you gear up for Beast and beyond. You need to insure you are fit enough to not fall out of runs and be able to do well on the APFT.

Thanks for the responses. You guys help because I don't have any clue what goes on in the Track world yet. I'll talk to my coach about running the 1600.

Also, I am not a recruited powerlifter but you are correct about my size. I am going to look very odd surrounded by track runners. I'll have to make time for extra lifting and seriously up my calorie count as not to lose too much mass.

Thanks again!