Training Characteristics Of United States Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifiers

Abstract

Many studies have attempted to link differences in distance running performance with physiological measurements, however few have focused on the training characteristics of elite distance runners. PURPOSE To describe and compare training characteristics of men and women qualifiers for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. METHODS Questionnaires addressing training characteristics were either included in athletes' Olympic Trials race packets (men) or sent by mail (women). Data were compared between groups using a one-way ANOVA. Pearson correlations were used to determine the relationship between marathon time and training variables. RESULTS 93 athletes (56 men, 37 women) responded to the questionnaire. 49% of men and 31% of women did not have a coach. 65% of men and 68% of women trained alone. 62% of men and 57% of women had a full-time job. The majority of training was of a low intensity, with men running 75% and women running 68% of their weekly training distance slower than marathon race pace. Men had been training longer than women (12.2 vs. 8.8 yrs), ran more often (9 vs. 7 timeswk−1), and ran more (avg. = 145 vs. 116 km wk−1; peak = 193 vs. 152 km·wk−1). Elite athletes (men: under 2 hrs, 15 min; women: under 2 hrs, 40 min) had been training longer than national-class athletes (men: 17 vs. 11 yrs; women: 12 vs. 8 yrs). Elite women ran significantly more than national-class women (avg. = 136 vs. 111 km·wk−1; peak = 180 vs. 146 km·wk−1). Elite and national-class men ran similar amounts (avg. = 156 vs. 144 km·wk−1; peak = 203 vs. 192 km·wk−1). Distances run at tempo pace, marathon race pace, at or faster than 10K race pace, and at or faster than 5K race pace were similar between men (14.6 ± 11.6, 13.4 ± 12.7, 7.1 ± 5.5, and 4.2 ± 3.9 km·wk−1, respectively) and women (14.2 ± 10.1, 14.8 ± 12.1, 7.6 ± 6.9, and 5.5 ± 6.1 km·wk−1, respectively). Marathon time was significantly correlated to performance for other running events for both sexes, and to number of years training, average and peak weekly training distance, number of weekly runs, and number of runs ± 32 km for women. CONCLUSION Among U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifiers, the results suggest that there is no general consensus as to how to prepare for the marathon beyond running at a pace slower than race pace. However, the weekly training distance seems to influence the women's marathon performance more so than it does the men's. Because many of these athletes train alone and without a coach, further research is warranted on the reasons why these athletes train the way they do. Supported by a grant from the Counsilman Center for the Science of Swimming.