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Sprinting camp teaches mechanics of running

A group of young athletes braved the warm weather last week, gathering at the track at the St. Paul Regional High School nearly every day after school for a sprinting camp. Coach Jeff Aarts was behind the camp, offering his expertise.
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Athletes take part in a sprinting camp last week at the Regional High School track.

A group of young athletes braved the warm weather last week, gathering at the track at the St. Paul Regional High School nearly every day after school for a sprinting camp.

Coach Jeff Aarts was behind the camp, offering his expertise.

"I've recognized a need for kids to be taught how to run, and the idea behind speed camp is to improve running mechanics, become more proficient and to learn how we can be better runners," says Aarts. "It's a very complicated movement and athletes are great at compensating movement, and you need to know what to look for if you really want kids to get faster."

Aarts says that track and field has always been a passion, and being part of the North Eastern Alberta Track and Field Club has allowed him to pass on valuable information to both athletes and parents over the years.

"The are certain aspects of the GAIT cycle that we need to look at if we really want to help the kids become faster. We take the movements and break it up as small as possible so kids can start to feel some success," he explains. "We really are trying to create new neural pathways and have our bodies move more efficiently. I talk about the harmful effects of long slow warm ups and how there is a much more simple way to do things."

"Why would we train our bodies to run at 60 per cent when we want them to run at 100 per cennt? If we train at 100 per cent, 80 per cent then feels easy, and kids will feel they have a lot more success," he adds.

The camp is also an opportunity to introduce kids to sprinting at a young age.

"The sky is the limit with running provided you start with a solid base and have someone with a trained eye looking for the right things. We try to have fun, incorporate new ideas and show the kids things that they've never thought of before," says Aarts. And while running can be a more solo sport, the camp offers a team environment, "supporting each other and to surround ourselves with like minded individuals."

Aarts has been in St. Paul for a few years, sharing his knowledge with young athletes, but he will be moving away from the community and heading to Coronation where he will be helping a new crop of athletes as a a Phys. Ed. and athletic director.

As for his work in St. Paul, the NEAT club has "become like family for me, and I'm hopeful to stay connected and travel for practices when I can," says Aarts. "A lot of people are unaware that there is even a track club in town or what it is about. There really is an event for everyone in track and field, whether you're a sprinter, a jumper or a thrower."


Janice Huser

About the Author: Janice Huser

Janice Huser has been with the St. Paul Journal since 2006. She is a graduate of the SAIT print media journalism program, is originally from St. Paul and has a passion for photography.
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