Any form of healthy physical adaptation will have a balance of appropriate stress, followed by a period of adequate rest.  In running science, these stress and rest periods are considered intervals – work intervals and rest intervals – and the length of the intervals will vary depending on the time of the season we are presently in.  Work and rest intervals are two foundational principles that guide the training at Whisper, and presently, our rest intervals are very, very long.  Well, not ridiculously long, but long enough for a youth runner.

Saturday’s practice, in preparation for the national Junior Olympic meet, included three 8-10 min rest intervals between sets of back-to-back longer intervals, and back-to-back shorter intervals.  It wasn’t until the final set of short intervals that a runner asked, “Can we just skip the next six minutes (of the rest interval) and start the next set (of work intervals)?”  This was the first time in 2019 that a runner had asked this specific question, which I was delighted to respond to.  She expressed the same characteristics – fatigue, heavy legs, etc. – that she will feel during the latter part of her 3k race at nationals, so it was briefly explained that in order to best prepare for the battle ahead, a training environment which simulates the racing environment must be created.  And since we can’t ship snow and freezing temperatures from Madison, Wisconsin to Vancouver, Washington, then we must aim to be as precise as possible when it comes to exertion and recovery levels.  Last Saturday, we were as close as we are going to get to these feelings and exertions, and it was awesome!

Final note on stress

The response to stress varies depending on the bodily system and organs targeted.  In youth, physical recovery happens quicker than in adulthood.  I’ve estimated that the trained athletes that I work with, their muscular system can adapt within 36-hours (or sometimes less) of rigorous work, and their nervous system adapts within 10-days of work.  These calculations, along with others considerations not mentioned, are even more important when factoring in the longevity of the season, the number of races in a season (and post-season), the change from school to club running, personalities within a team, potential stresses, life circumstances, or any other stressors, no matter how big, no matter how small. 

The short of it is this: healthy doses of appropriate stress is important for optimal growth.  Whether the stress is emotional or physical, derived from an abundance of homework or balancing sports, there is always potential for learning and for growth.