Start with one clear intent.
“Speed” is broad. A session might emphasize acceleration, exposure to high velocity, technical rehearsal, or a return toward faster running. Naming the intent helps the athlete and coach make better choices about distance, rest, volume, and what to observe.
BEFORE THE SESSION
Write one sentence: “Today’s work is intended to…” If that sentence is unclear, the session may contain too many competing goals.
- What is the athlete trying to develop?
- What happened in recent training or competition?
- How does the athlete report feeling today?
- What constraints—space, surface, weather, schedule—change the plan?
Keep the signal readable.
A session should make its target easier to observe. If fatigue, complexity, or changing conditions overwhelm the intended quality, the recorded result becomes harder to interpret.
Use consistent measurement context.
Record distance, start method, timing method, surface, footwear, weather, and recovery when those details affect comparison.
Separate observation from diagnosis.
“The final repetitions slowed” is an observation. The reason requires context and discussion.
Preserve the right to adjust.
Readiness information can support a conversation, but a single questionnaire or score should not make the decision alone.
Close the feedback loop.
The session becomes more useful when the athlete records what happened while the details are still fresh. A short reflection can create context for the next session without turning training into constant surveillance.
- Intent: What was the session meant to develop?
- Work: What was actually completed?
- Quality: What changed across the efforts?
- Experience: How did the athlete describe readiness and the session?
- Next question: What should athlete and coach discuss or observe next?
Patterns across multiple sessions carry more meaning than an isolated number. Interpretation belongs inside the athlete’s broader training and life context.
Sources and scope.
Salazar et al. (2022), Monitoring Psychometric States of Recovery →Haugen et al. (2019), The Training and Development of Elite Sprint Performance →Subjective monitoring is context, not a medical screen or injury predictor. Young athletes’ training should be age-appropriate and guided by qualified adults.