Scott Christensen's Distance Running 3-Pack

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;
2024 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;
at Stillwater, has coached Ben Blankenship (2016 USA Olympian, 1500 meters), Luke Watson (1999, 2004, 2006 USA World Cross Country Championship Teams), and Sean Graham (2006 USA National Team);
only coach/program in U.S. high school history to produce four alumni sub 4:00 milers

Developing a successful training program for a high school miler involves several factors. Improving aerobic efficiency is important in improving running economy. Additionally, developing a high level of anaerobic capacity and efficiency is important to specific speed. It's a combination of training these two energy systems that allow for athletes to become champion milers!

This video featuring Scott Christensen provides years' worth of running knowledge to explain the how, what, and why of becoming a successful miler. Coach Christensen uses his sports science background and applies it to running the mile. He introduces the "why" behind the science of running, then the necessary stimuli, and ultimately provides examples that you can use to maximize your athletes' abilities.

Tailored Training

While Coach Christensen provides examples of his training methods, he explains that the stimulus and workouts used should be considered based on the athlete and their individual ability. Too many times coaches look for the cookie-cutter training program instead of understanding the "Why" of training.

Christensen talks about his training periods and mileage goals for his athletes. He explains the goals of each training phase and what must be accomplished to move forward. The goal is to have athletes run at a lower percent of their max effort while running longer and faster.

Workout Approach

The charts provided throughout this video support the "WHY" of Coach Christensen's instruction and emphasize his key takeaways. Christensen refers to Fartlek workouts as a perfect way to allow runners to work hard without overreaching during the training session. He explains that using the combination of grass and track for faster training can be very beneficial for the miler. Finally, Coach Christensen emphasizes the importance of working on speed at the 30-yard distance and how this can ultimately lead to a faster 400 time and mile time.

Coach Christensen provides you with great insight into coaching successful milers. You will learn the science, various stimuli, and specific workouts that should be considered to provide your milers their best chance to be successful.

62 minutes. 2020.

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;
2024 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;
at Stillwater, has coached Ben Blankenship (2016 USA Olympian, 1500 meters), Luke Watson (1999, 2004, 2006 USA World Cross Country Championship Teams), and Sean Graham (2006 USA National Team);
only coach/program in U.S. high school history to produce four alumni sub 4:00 milers

In this video, Stillwater Area High School head coach Scott Christensen emphasizes that distance running is an athletic skill. Over the years, Christensen has developed a core strength training program that helps athletes run faster while decreasing their injury risk. His training program allows athletes to hold proper technique and body posture longer to enhance strength and power at max speed.

Core Strength Training Goals

The goals of core strength work should be to reduce injury, improve running economy, and increase the rate of force development. Christensen discusses the six muscle strength topics that he defines as essential in the development of distance runners. These muscle groups are crucial in developing movement skills, strength, power, speed and endurance. The drills Christensen shows are essential in teaching athletes to run at a lower percent of max effort while running longer and faster.

Approach to Strength Training

Coach Christensen emphasizes to do core strength work that is specific to the running activity. Training is based on a specific target movement, and core strength work is necessary for athletes to hold good form and minimize rotation movement.

Any coach who wants to reduce running injuries and improve the performance of their distance runners needs to see this video from Coach Christensen. Core strength work plays an essential role in training and conditioning that leads to increased endurance performance!

63 minutes. 2020.

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;
2024 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;
at Stillwater, has coached Ben Blankenship (2016 USA Olympian, 1500 meters), Luke Watson (1999, 2004, 2006 USA World Cross Country Championship Teams), and Sean Graham (2006 USA National Team);
only coach/program in U.S. high school history to produce four alumni sub 4:00 milers

Scott Christensen, head coach of the track & field and cross country teams at Stillwater Area High School, maintains that the mechanics behind a successful distance runner are developed through the central and peripheral points of aerobic power. The development of aerobic capacity first is crucial in a distance runner, and in this video, Christensen discusses a variety of training tactics that can be used to develop aerobic power.

Anaerobic Training & Lactate Tolerance

Coach Christensen emphasizes that distance runners need to master the anaerobic aspect of training. Lactate tolerance is vital to a distance runner's development and improved race performance. You will learn how to improve the anaerobic speed reserve in your runners, which is an important component in training and racing.

Next, Christensen discusses why distance training capacity and running is event-specific. He passes along power development specific to distance runners. The goal of the coach and athlete is to develop both, as they are tied together to running performance and improved race times.

Core Training

Core strength work that is specific to the running activity is a critical component of Coach Christensen's approach. Training is based on a specific target movement. Core strength training is necessary for any athlete who wants to hold good form and minimize rotation movement.

If one of your training goals is to reduce fatigue in your distance runners, this is a must-have instructional video. Coach Christensen gives a detailed explanation of the program that he uses to develop state championship athletes.

61 minutes. 2020.