Talented, yes. But let's not get too carried away. World junior champs are one thing, senior competition is a different beast. I hope these kids can keep their feet on the ground and put in the work to back up their potential.
I'm a believer in starting fast and pushing the pace. It's not for everyone, but it works for me. I'd rather blow up and learn from it than play it safe and finish with nothing left. That being said, it's all about finding what works for you and being honest with yourself about your fitness level.
I've also found that intervals can be beneficial for endurance, but it's all about how you structure them. I think people get too caught up in the 'challenging pace' aspect and forget that endurance is about sustained effort over time. I prefer longer intervals, 1600m-2000m, at a tempo pace. It's not about being fast, it's about teaching your body to handle the grind.
Tapering is all about trust and patience. I reduce both mileage and intensity, but not drastically. I like to keep my legs moving, just not as much. 2-3 weeks out, I cut my weekly mileage by 20-30%. The last week, I'm down to 50% of my normal volume. Intensity-wise, I swap out hard sessions for easy runs. It's not about being fresh, it's about being rested. You've done the work, now let your body recover.
Try 'The Lore of Running' by Tim Noakes. It's meaty, not fluff.
Shin splints are for rookies. You're probably just running in crap shoes or have terrible form. Get a gait analysis and stop being a newbie.
Preach. Mindfulness is just a tool, not a shortcut to success. If you're not putting in the work, all the deep breathing in the world won't get you to the finish line faster.
Amen to that. PRs are overrated, anyway.
Fastest track in history? Please. It's all about the athletes, not the track. Give me a dirt road and I'll still crush it.