There are different types of periodization, such as short to long, long to short, dual periodization, etc. This is an article about concurrent training, where different types of training are done at the same time. This is an interview by a successful 400 meter running coach who uses a concurrent training program, with 2 days off per week. Two days on, then a day off, then 3 days on, then a day off.
Speed and speed endurance and lactic tolerance training are all done each week. Here is a link to the interview:
http://speedendurance.com/2013/02/22/interview-mike-hurst-journalist-400m-coach/#
Now, how does 400 meter running compare to our sport of whitewater slalom? Well, this coach states that this approach should apply to various distances and different sports. 400 meters is a difficult event, in case you have never run it. Running longer distances is actually easier because the pace is slower. With 400 meters, you are really hurting for the last 100 meters or so.
But, the sport does not have the turns and varied strokes that our sport does. It is more akin to sprint flatwater racing in that respect. It only has the one acceleration at the start, whereas our sport has multiple accelerations at every upstream and every turn.
Like our sport, technique, acceleration, power, speed and speed endurance are very important in the 400 meters. He says that you need to train year-round for speed, doing some workouts that are faster than race pace once or twice per week. That way, you feel comfortable running at race pace.
Slalom racers should likewise do some fast training year-round at speeds faster than race pace, such as 20 or 30 second courses. That way, race pace will seem normal and easy and not a strain.
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