Managing Middle School Distance Training

with Scott Christensen,
Stillwater Area High School (MN) Head Girls Track & Field / Cross Country Coach;
Stillwater Area High School (MN) Head Boys Track & Field / Cross Country Coach from 1980 to 2023;
2023 NHSACA Boys Track & Field National Coach of the Year recipient;
5x Minnesota State Boys Track & Field team champions;
5x Minnesota State Boys Cross Country team champions;
3x MN True Team Track & Field State Champions;
1997 USA National Cross Country champions;
has coached 23 individual state track & field and 2 individual state cross country champions;
USATF National Endurance Special Projects Instructor;
USATF National Level 2 Endurance Lead Instructor;
IAAF Level 5 Academy Instructor;
USTFCCCA Endurance Master's Course Instructor;
Is the only coach/program in U.S. high school history to produce four alumni sub 4:00 milers

2023 NHSACA Boys Track & Field National Coach of the Year Scott Christensen shares his knowledge and experience in training distance runners this time focusing on middle school athletes.

You'll learn why training should be based on sport specific science, targeting the physical qualities required for distance running. Christensen offers insights into the art of coaching, emphasizing the importance of building strong relationships with athletes to individualize workouts. He also shares his methods for teaching athletes how to train and how great coaches learn from their athletes.

Christensen outlines the duties of a middle school coach, from season planning to daily responsibilities, stressing the importance of developing psychological and emotional fitness alongside physical training. He also highlights the need for transparent communication with athletes and parents, and recommends using a team management app over text or email.

His practice philosophy centers on developing "athletic literacy" in every athlete. Defined in the context of running as "a continual change in body shape distance running is efficiently doing it," Christensen presents four key questions every coach should ask:

• Does the athlete have the specific strength to hold the necessary shape?
• Does the athlete have the coordination and flexibility to transition to the next shape?
• Does the athlete have the speed to transition to the next shape? (Christensen dispels the myth that speed can't be trained and shares ways to improve it.)
• Does the athlete have the ability to economically change shapes over extended periods?

Christensen shows how to address each of these qualities strength, coordination/flexibility, speed, and endurance within a training plan. He provides a clear template, with examples, for implementing these components in an age-appropriate way that matches each athlete's stage of development.

Daily training goals are emphasized, with a practice template showing the ideal order of components, video examples, and tips for adjusting the "dose" based on the day's focus. He also stresses ending practices on a positive, fun note that's right for the age group being coached.

Drawing from decades of success, Christensen offers a comprehensive and digestible blueprint for training middle school distance runners. You'll learn not just "how" to train, but the "why" behind every step and how to successfully apply this knowledge to your program or athlete. Though designed for middle school, the concepts benefit coaches at all levels.

Customer Review: 5 Out of 5 Stars!
"I rate this video a 5; as with all of Coach Christensen's videos I have seen, it feels like he and I are sitting down together to discuss the subject at hand. He is extremely accessible and his enthusiasm shows. His holistic, science-based approach is refreshing. There's a reason for everything he does and he shares every one. The video is FULL of brilliant, yet simple 'one-liners' that hammer home his message. His work is truly enjoyable to watch. No wonder he has coached multiple state champion distance runners!"

49 minutes. 2025.