While on the same team, sprinters and long distance runners run completely different races. When the starting gun cracks, within seconds the race is over. Minutes later, another runner is still lapping the track.
Long distance runners spend their practices building endurance through long, intense workouts, focusing on stride and pace. This kind of training includes high mileage workouts, such as running up to 17,400 meters, in contrast to sprinting which focuses more on form.
“For long distance, you definitely need more endurance,” freshman Mara Gonzalez said. “I think [when] sprinting, your running form is so much more important. It’s just mostly the endurance that matters over the way your start is and your finish is because it’s such a long race, you have time to catch up.”
All while distance runners are training for mileage and endurance, training for sprinters are approached differently. Main components to their practices focus on acceleration, speed, power and reaction time.
“Warm-ups of two laps, and then stretches, then we do short sprints, and then go over tiny hurdles. We do the actual workout of shorter sprints on a higher percentage of pace,” freshman Finlee Cinco said. “Long distance is much more rigorous. I think long distance is harder than sprints because they do a sprint workout and then you’ll have to do a second workout to get mileage in.”
At meets, long distance runners compete in events that vary in length. These events are all stamina-demanding and prioritize long lasting energy.
“Long distance events are normally considered the 800, 600, which is two laps, a mile, and two miles, but the 1600 is the first event, and normally I do that, especially on our non-invitational meets,” Gonzalez said.
Besides the physical aspects of sprinting, having a present mindset, calming down and being mentally prepared is a key role in overall performance. Having high focus and a positive outlook on the event can make all the difference.
“I focus on running my own race or just to do the best I can, because even if I do bad in my heat, it doesn’t mean I did bad in my overall race, because I could have had a PR or something,” Cinco said. “I listen to music before, and try and calm myself down and make sure to breathe.”
While sprinters and long distance runners may have differences in technique and training, they are still a part of the same team. That connection can be especially important and shown during meets, where runners will support and motivate their teammates.
“We obviously don’t run at the same time or in the same events, but we’re always cheering for each other, it’s really motivating,” Gonzalez said. “Whenever I see sprinters that are running, especially when they’re on my team, I always cheer for them because I know how it can motivate you so much more. I think altogether we kind of just agree on that.”
