A Longitudinal Case Study of the Training of the 2012 European 1500m Track Champion

The purpose of this study was to present the training of the European 1500 m track champion of 2012. Data from the training diaries were used to describe (a) the average training load (km․week–1), and (b) the distribution of training at different intensities based on his heart rate (HR) as a percentage of maximum heart rate(%HRmax) and on lactate measurements. In 2012, 68.5% of the total training load during the period from January to the middle of March was performed with HR between 65 and 75% of HRmax, 26.1% was performed as anaerobic threshold training, HR 82-92% of HRmaks and 3.8% was performed as aerobic high intensity training, HR 92-97% of HRmax. Only 1.5% was performed as an aerobic training. During the track competition season, the percentage of training performed at low intensity increased to 73% as a result of some training loads at anaerobic threshold pace were replaced by some more intensive aerobic and anaerobic training sessions, requiring a lower training load. High proportion of interval training close to the anaerobic threshold might have led to excellent racing performance for this runner.