You are here:
- Home
- Sports
- Track and Field
- Track & Field
Track & Field/Questions Answered by Expert Byron Collyer
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Weight Lifting For Sprinters | 1/23/2012 |
| Q: I am a high school athlete who has been doing weight training but it has come to my attention that ... A: Weights are definitely important for Sprinters John. The sets and rep ranges of each exercise play a ... | |
| How to find a private coach | 1/18/2012 |
| Q: How do I go about finding a training coach for my son. He is a junior in high school and throws ... A: I can't help you much with finding a private coach in your area specifically but, I would start with ... | |
| Plyometrics | 12/25/2011 |
| Q: Hey coach, i am a 19 yr old college boy and i am training for sprint races.... i am actually ... A: I can't give you direct plyometric exercises without first assessing your fitness levels in person ... | |
| weak hamstring | 7/20/2011 |
| Q: I tore my right hamstring multiple times last year and left multiple times this year, i didn't do a ... A: You absolutely need to rehabilitate your hamstring properly if you want to perform optimally Paul. ... | |
| Off Season Training | 7/20/2011 |
| Q: I am a sprinter that is trying to lose weight for next yrs. track season but don't want to run ... A: I fully agree with your ideology of not becoming a distance runner to lose the weight. I'd suggest ... | |
| Effect of Muscle Strain | 7/13/2011 |
| Q: I was wondering if a decrease in speed is common after a hamstring tear or strain, and how to build ... A: From what I can gather, you've got some injuries that haven't been mended properly. No matter what ... | |
| core training | 7/12/2011 |
| Q: Collyer, I am a high school cross country and track athlete and i specialize in ... A: Learning how to properly train your core should be your first priority Garrett, I would do a few ... | |
| Improving in long jump | 2/27/2011 |
| Q: I'm a long jumper living in Newfoundland, where track and field isn't all that big. I don't have a ... A: There are some basic aspects to training for long jump I can give you but I would highly suggest you ... | |
| Heart of a Champion!! | 2/23/2011 |
| Q: my name is CJ.i was born and raised in Nassau Bahamas. i am a long jumper.i was ranked number one in ... A: I'll try my best to ballpark my answers Charles. It does sound like you have a lot of passion which ... | |
| Training | 1/9/2011 |
| Q: What would be a good workout to train for the 400, 800, and 1600 meter race A: Each of the races you're curious about would have slightly different training plans. The 400 would ... | |
| 100m dash | 10/10/2010 |
| Q: I am 15 years old and a freshman in HS. I can run the 100m dash in 13.46 seconds. What is plyometric ... A: Plyometric training is basically a type of explosive training involving jumping motions to improve ... | |
| Athletics | 10/2/2010 |
| Q: COACH, Suppose a person has a bad start in a race, how can he cop-up and still win the race?Is ... A: Unfortunately Nithin, there aren't any real tricks to nullifying the effects of a bad start in a ... | |
| core workout | 8/19/2010 |
| Q: i was wondering, what would be a good core workout for a 14 year old girl going into 8th grade? and ... A: Unfortunately, I can't give you specific training tips such as core exercises without seeing you in ... | |
| Sprinter Diet and Training Schedule | 6/27/2010 |
| Q: I am a 14 year old student who is currently registered for the All-Ontario Legion based track meet, ... A: I'd suggest getting in touch with a professional in your area. I can't give you much advice over the ... | |
| hill running | 4/11/2010 |
| Q: I only have access to a 15m hill, how can i turn this into a solid sprint training session to help ... A: Believe it or not, it would be better for you to run on flat terrain versus a hill to improve your ... | |
| What should I run, so I can p.r. in my last meet this season? | 4/11/2010 |
| Q: What should I run, so I can p.r. in my last meet this season? Heres my season so far: Intersquad ... A: This really isn't a question I should be answering for you Carissa. There are so many factors that ... | |
| track | 4/6/2010 |
| Q: i dont have time to go the gym and work out so what can i do to build my quadricep and hamstring ... A: If you're training for track, I'd suggest doing a lot for running drills such as A's and B's and ... | |
| injuries | 4/1/2010 |
| Q: I'm 16 years old and i easily pull my calf muscle and i was wondering what i could do to help it to ... A: Tainika, I can't give you protocol on how to treat your calf as I'm not a doctor and I haven't seen ... | |
| javelin elbow | 3/27/2010 |
| Q: I'm 16 years old. When I was 13 I hurt my elbow, by throwing the javelin. Now I'm 16 and I still ... A: Regarding the videos bart, I don't give advice to that extent. It's just not really safe for me to ... | |
| 400m | 3/27/2010 |
| Q: How Do I Get My Time Down In The 400.I Keep getting Tired When I Hit The 200m. A: This is a really general question. If you could be more specific, I'd be able to give you a more ... | |
| Shot Put Training/Exersizes | 3/20/2010 |
| Q: Ok after doing shot put for about two second i absolutely fell in love with it! But that was a year ... A: I can certainly suggest a few things for you to do for shot Alexandria. First things first, at your ... | |
| javelin elbow | 3/19/2010 |
| Q: I'm 16 years old. When I was 13 I hurt my elbow, by throwing the javelin. Now I'm 16 and I still ... A: Belive it or not Bart, the hip and shoulder separation is kind of an optical illusion. The athlete ... | |
| javelin elbow | 3/18/2010 |
| Q: I'm 16 years old. When I was 13 I hurt my elbow, by throwing the javelin. Now I'm 16 and I still ... A: Sounds like you need to do some physiotherapy to correct these issues with your elbow pain from ... | |
| 1and 2 miler/long distance shoes | 3/2/2010 |
| Q: Hey Bryon, I'm not sure if you know much about distance runners,but I thought it would be worth the ... A: Shoes I can help with Alex. There would be a specific distance running cleat that would best be ... | |
| Squats and Deadlifts | 2/26/2010 |
| Q: My name is Timothy Young I am a college sprinter specilizing in the 100 and 200m dashes and I was ... A: It would be fine to train the exercises on the same day if that's what you're asking. If you're ... | |
| long jump | 2/16/2010 |
| Q: What are the techniques involved in long jump in order to achieve maximum effect, i.e jump further? A: Pretty simple really, you're looking for a combination of speed and vertical force. The faster you ... | |
| The 100m dash | 2/12/2010 |
| Q: Do you have any advice for core training for the 100m dash? Also breathing techniques for the 100m ... A: Core training for the 100 m dash is extensive. Firstly, you'd want to draw in your stomach and try ... | |
| track | 1/22/2010 |
| Q: i just started track in december and run the 200 meter dash at 36.8 . i wanted to know what ... A: It's tough to give you recommendations without an idea of what you're doing now or how old you are ... | |
| getting faster. | 1/16/2010 |
| Q: im starting football later this year and i need to get faster.But i don't want to lift weights.so ... A: Without using weights, the best ways to improve your speed would likely be a combination of core ... | |
| sprinting and age limit | 12/8/2009 |
| Q: How old is too old to be competing in sprints ? I just turned 26 (26 yrs /female)and would love to ... A: Adailia, I don't think there's an age at which you'd be too old to do something you enjoy so much. ... | |
| top speed | 10/21/2009 |
| Q: i am 14 years old and run about 13 secs for the hundred meters(on a grass track), I race against ... A: Sure ben, here are a few basic ones. 1) Strengthen your hamstrings-they're one of the key muscles ... | |
| track and field beginner | 10/3/2009 |
| Q: I am a 12 year old girl and recently began running track for my school. I consider myself to be ... A: At your age, it's quite simple. You should be concentrating on building your cardio up. This can be ... | |
| should i try it again? if yes how. | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: I used to be (like over 15 years ago) a shot put thrower and I was good at it but most important i ... A: Don't see why not-there are throwers in their 60's still competing. I probably wouldn't be of much ... | |
| a diet made for athletes | 9/2/2009 |
| Q: I am a track and field athlete and I do multi events, so i basically do everything from running , ... A: Unfortunately, I can't give you nutritional advice over the Internet. However, I can point you in ... | |
| discus throwing | 8/15/2009 |
| Q: I am a 15 year old discus thrower now, 5.9ft, 80kg, and has a PB of 47m with the 1.5kg discus.(spin) ... A: First, stop doing 1 rep max lifts--you're really taking a chance at injuring yourself. I'd say stay ... | |
| improve core | 8/12/2009 |
| Q: could you help me draw up a schedule of what a should do? thank you wes ANSWER: I can't give you ... A: the basics of core training involve engaging your transverse abs (TVA). You do this by drawing in ... | |
| 400 | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: how do you practice for a 800,400,and 200 when you have a head and chest cold one week before an ... A: 61 secs for a 13 year old is a good time. I would continue training and that alone should improve ... | |
| track | 7/14/2009 |
| Q: My son is 10 and runs the 400m. I would like to know what he should eat and drink before his race. ... A: This is a dietitian's question more so than not but your son should in general be looking to eat a ... | |
| Getting time down in 400 and 800 | 7/12/2009 |
| Q: I am going to the 7th grade and I run the 400 in 1:02 and the 800 in 2:38, I would like to get my ... A: The main energy system being used for these two races is something called the "Fast Glycolytic" ... | |
| unproportionality | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: i tried all kinds of things but nothing worked but now i think the reason for that is because of my ... A: This isn't so much a Track and Field question, it's more of a fitness and or weight loss question. I ... | |
| Shot put and Dsicus | 5/24/2009 |
| Q: I'm 6 ft and weigh 215 lbs and have long arms and seek to increase my shot put and discus distances. ... A: To be honest, though I'd love to help, I can't give a lot of usable advice without seeing your ... | |
| sprinting | 5/20/2009 |
| Q: I play soccer and play on the wing so i require alot of speed.I am one of the fastest on the team ... A: This toe position could be normal if you have relatively muscular thighs. I would suggest seeking ... | |
| aceleration on my sprints | 5/16/2009 |
| Q: here is my problem. I can not acelerate very well at all. When i am in blocks i frankly stink.What ... A: I would suggest getting a trainer and working on Core strength and acceleration drills. Your core ... | |
| improvement | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: i am tarek and i am a soccer player. i would just like to ask you if you could give me some ... A: Unfortunately Tarek, I can't give you exercises over the net. I would need to assess you in person ... | |
| stretching against injuries | 4/24/2009 |
| Q: i have heard that stretching is very important for athletes. thus i am willing to strecth everyday ... A: Stretching is important for athletes Lorenzo. However, the bulk of the research I've come across ... | |
| Diet for 400m and 1600 Relay | 3/31/2009 |
| Q: My son is a 13 year old 7th grader. He usually eats a fairly well balanced diet. What foods and ... A: Unfortunately, this is a question for a registered dietitian or sports nutritionist. I'd be careful ... | |
| Track | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: How much does a discus and a shot put weigh? A: There are different weights depending on your age. highschool disci for men weigh 1.6kg, and 1kg ... | |
| 400m dash | 3/21/2009 |
| Q: I'm a high school sprinter in my junior year. Last year was my first year of track. I run the 400 ... A: I'll do my best to answer all of these questions Dennis, If I miss one--feel free to send me another ... | |
| Polevaulting- track & feild | 3/11/2009 |
| Q: this is my second year on varsity track at high school and I've always run long distance and done ... A: To be honest, if you're talking about this season, it would be tough to get in shape for pole ... | |
| 1 1/2 mile track run | 3/6/2009 |
| Q: I am 14 in 8th grade track -I run long distance 1 mile and 1 1/2 mile-I run cross country too- Track ... A: First things first, you've got to get cleared by a physician to make sure you're healthy before ... | |
| 100-meter sprint times | 3/3/2009 |
| Q: My name is Olivia and I am a 7th grade runner. I was wondering what a good time would be in the ... A: It's a bit tough to say Olivia but, anything under or around 14 seconds would be a good time. ... | |
| Muscle Strain | 2/26/2009 |
| Q: This is my daughter's first year in high school, and she is running track again this year. It has ... A: Unfortunately, I'm not qualified to give you advice for an injury. Only a Doctor, Physiotherapist ... | |
| An "Open" Runner? | 2/13/2009 |
| Q: This might seem like a silly question, but what is a runner called if they are too old for Youth ... A: You're basically just a regular aged athlete in Canada, you'd be called a "senior" which caries the ... | |
| traveling | 2/1/2009 |
| Q: I heard that when you are a professional track runner you get to travel to different countries in ... A: This is true Daniel, Top track athletes do quite a bit of travelling to various countries around ... | |
| wrld junior championships 2009 | 1/13/2009 |
| Q: my name is keith and i am 16, and i run in the male 100 200 and 400 meter dashes. i was wondering ... A: I'm not completely sure what you're asking of me Keith so feel free to re-phrase and re-submit your ... | |
| finding a track coach | 1/8/2009 |
| Q: i go to Edison high school. This year our head coach quit. we need a coach for all of the events ... A: Unfortunately, I don't know too many track coaches in that area Storm. I would suggest searching ... | |
| core | 12/30/2008 |
| Q: Do you have any good work out for my core I am 17 and a female and I want to do 4x4 relay 800m and ... A: Speed training would help for pole vault but hinder your 4x4 and 800...if you wish you can specify ... | |
| Time Conversions | 12/21/2008 |
| Q: What does a 4.5 second time in the 40 yard dash project to in terms of the time for a 100 yard/meter ... A: To be honest, it wouldn't be easy to extrapolate because I don't know your physical dimensions. If ... | |
| explosivness | 12/19/2008 |
| Q: I am a 400m sprinter and am looking to increase my speed. I am looking to increase my explosiveness. ... A: Training for explosiveness is simple. The more you tell your brain to move quicker, the better. Do ... | |
| explosiveness for javelin | 12/14/2008 |
| Q: I throw javelin but i am lacking explosiveness. I am strong in the weight room but i lack that ... A: There's something called the force-velocity curve that you need to investigate regarding javelin ... | |
| indoor track- 55m | 12/6/2008 |
| Q: I'm a sophomore in highschool and this is my first year doing indoor track. I did outdoor track as a ... A: Your main focus at this point in time regarding gaining speed would be to work on sprint training ... | |
| Discus Throw | 11/25/2008 |
| Q: I'm a discus thrower in grade 12 and I started to throw in grade 9. I didn't have much of a success ... A: Here are a few things to work on Tomasz. First, I would definitely video tape yourself and compare ... | |
| track | 10/26/2008 |
| Q: how do i train for the 200m.my times are like the mid 24's.i am a freshman in high school A: You're probably best off to get some formal coaching. It sounds like you've got some speed and it's ... | |
| Improvement from Static to Glide Throw | 10/22/2008 |
| Q: I am a coach, and have a freshman girl who is throwing about 40ft in the shot with her glide ... A: Tough to say exactly how far she would be able to throw but, you are right in questioning why she's ... | |
| Javelin Throwing | 10/20/2008 |
| Q: I'm a senior in high school and have ran Track for three years. Since high schools in Illinois or ... A: I've got great news Jerrod! You can definitely still become a great javelin thrower. On top of that, ... | |
| Improving speed, form, and endurance | 10/13/2008 |
| Q: I am a sophmore in college, and have decided to try to run track this year, although I haven't since ... A: There's a whole bunch of great stuff you could start doing Adriana. I'd suggest starting a strength ... | |
| shot put training. | 9/9/2008 |
| Q: Alright, I'm 14 years old (I know that seems young but i take this seriously) Right now I'm a ... A: That's great that you take your training seriously Jon. It would be a little tough to tell you what ... | |
| training | 8/25/2008 |
| Q: can you give me some core training exercises. My season doesn't start until april. Im primarily a ... A: unfortunately Ai, I would have to see you in person to be able to give you proper exercises. I ... | |
| Question about the track | 8/20/2008 |
| Q: On a standard high school track 4 laps is a mile right and you know how the track is split into 4 ... A: Yes, each 4 parts of the track are equal in distance. As far as running 300 meters, it'd be a little ... | |
| Becoming a Javelin thrower | 8/16/2008 |
| Q: Iam a 22 year old male from the UK, I have a huge ambition to become a professional javelin thrower. ... A: Well, You've come to the right place Jon. I actually run a javelin site! www.throwjavelin.com. ... | |
| core training | 8/14/2008 |
| Q: how does this help with running faster in track.and how do i get a stronger core A: Your core is your foundation. The stronger your foundation is, the more power, speed and ... | |
| long jump | 8/11/2008 |
| Q: I have been jumping the long jump for about three months. I am 14, and 6' half inch tall. I have ... A: That's ok if you don't have boxes. I wouldn't suggest getting into anything that dramatic just yet. ... | |
| long jump | 8/8/2008 |
| Q: I have been jumping the long jump for about three months. I am 14, and 6' half inch tall. I have ... A: Justin, At your age, you should be looking to work on two things: Runway speed and vertical jumping ... | |
| Triple Jump | 7/30/2008 |
| Q: I am 15 years old about 6 and a half feet tall and weigh about 145 pounds. I do mostly long jump and ... A: David, I'd look at adding speed with some sprinting drills and maybe a light plyometric workout no ... | |
| triple jump | 7/8/2008 |
| Q: hey, I've been triple jumping since the the grade and am still currently jumping at my college. My ... A: Though I don't have a lot of experience with triple jump, I can still give you some basic ... | |
| 400m core training | 6/25/2008 |
| Q: what type of core work should I do during the off season in pre paring me for the 400m. Also what ... A: there's actually a lot of stuff you can do for core training. It would be tough to give you a full ... | |
| shot putt | 6/24/2008 |
| Q: I am in year 8 and wondering whether 10.17m is a good distance. if not how can i improve? A: Sounds pretty good to me! You're probably a little young to start developing your technqiue at this ... | |
| Shot Put | 6/12/2008 |
| Q: On the 24th June I am going to District Athletics to do shot put, I am 14 years old and about 5'3 ... A: It sounds like you're right on track performance wise for your height and age. 8 meters is a solid ... | |
| Club | 6/6/2008 |
| Q: I'm a 14 year old boy just going into to high school and am looking to join a track club. I live in ... A: I'm not that familiar with the track clubs in that area but here's what I would do in your case. ... | |
Track & Field
Answers by Expert:
Byron Collyer
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can help athletes and or coaches with javelin training and technique, core training, shot put training, functional fitness, explosiveness and injury prevention.
Experience
I'm an X-National Level Javelin Thrower and provicial level decathlete and am employed as a Private Sector Certified Personal Trainer with a degree in Human Kinetics and I'm a Certified High Performance Core Specialist.
I've trained numerous clients and athletes regarding sports conditioning and have trained many track and field athletes especially javelin throwers with great success over the past 10 years.
Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Science Human Kinetics (UBC).
National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT).
C.H.E.K. Certified High Performance Core Specialist.
Extensive Biomechanics & Movement Analysis knowledge.
Past Experience as a Certified Sports Aider.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.