AboutRichard Howland Expertise I am a master USATF Track and Field official and can answer questions about officiating high school (NFHS), college (NCAA), National (USATF) and international in field events. I am not a coach except for other officials. My specialties are the Field events except pole vault.
Experience I delight in meeting athletes from all backgrounds and ages. I have even officiated field events for a one hundred year old long jumper as well as many "Master" and "Senior" athletes. Special olympics is a great event for officials to volunteer and see the essence of good sport on the faces of the athletes.
After thirty three years as a trial lawyer in Massachusetts with a focus on sports law, among others, I retired and devote much of my time to officiating. I referee soccer, time football, officiate swimming and diving, and officiate and start all events in track and field. My special focus in field events.
In high school and college I played soccer, squash and lacrosse, but track was not available in any depth then. Since I was a lawyer I began officiating and training to officiate sports which I could fit into my schedule. I honestly do not remember when I first started track and field officiating, but estimate that I have been very active for at least fifteen years.
I regularly officiate all events and levels.
Question I don't know whether you know much about middle distance or not, but I'll ask my question anyway. I'm 15 yo next month, male, 163cm (5 ft 4in) tall and weigh about 51kg (112 lb). I have an important race in exactly 1 month and I was wondering if you could help me out. Do you know any training for the 1500m, or even better, could you make me a training routine?
My times
800m: 2:13
1500m: 4:36
3000m: 10:18
Answer Dear Justin:
All running,actually all athletic events, are totally personal. A coach is needed to observe and propose variations on a person's performance until the two or more find a formula that works for the athlete. No person, I believe, can give specific advice upon which an athlete should depend without the addition of a coach or adult experienced athlete in the same field helping out.
That does not mean that there are no ideas to tryout and use to get the best one can. I recommend the website at
for its breadth and the assemblage of British and world coaches who contribute to the articles. It is a big site and I have led you to the index. Search it with the key words for your events and I think you will find m any ideas which will be attractive to you and can be tailored to fit your goals and needs. I am sure that there are many others, but this is a large and well-regarded site worth looking into. Good luck, Dick Howland
