April 6–11 There was much more than usual speed, endurance, science and youthful enthusiasm in Druskininkai – the resort hosted the Lithuanian Athletics Medium and Long Distance Youth Team Camp. It was attended by 40 athletes from 13 to 18 years old and 8 coaches. Some of the runners are members of the official youth team, others are still trying to become one. Both the young athletes and their coaches unanimously agree after the camp – it was an invaluable experience.
Science-based coaching
Quality training, proper recovery and a complete diet – this is what the young runners paid all their attention to in the camp. The program also includes measurement of physical capacity (determination of lactate thresholds and sprint tests), physiotherapeutic examinations, and individual blood test consultations. Physiotherapists Mantas Lesnickas, Paulius Gedikas, Jonas Žakaitis, among others, told the runners about the importance of strengthening the body and taught the most important exercises.
Educational lectures were also held for both athletes and coaches. Psychotherapist Indrė Kotryna Grinevičienė talked about nutritional disorders that are common in sports and the risks associated with them, doctor Jolita Martinonienė explained the importance of blood tests and specific tests for medium and long-distance runners, Olympian, walker Brigita Virbalytė-Dimšienė shared her many years of experience in sports, told about the possibilities and longevity of a double career.
One of the organizers of the camp, the coach of young running talents at LLAF , former professional runner Arnas Gabrėnas , notes that science-based tests allow for a more targeted training of young athletes both at the camp and after returning home, and inspiring lectures motivate young athletes to stay in sports.
A burst of motivation
It is the increased motivation that most young runners name as one of the biggest benefits of the camp. In an anonymous survey, athletes say that they especially enjoyed being with other top runners of their age, the tests were informative and useful, and the expert lectures were interesting and inspiring. The young talents add that they leave with smiles and a desire to become even better versions of themselves, but are sad that the camp lasted too short. According to coach A. Gabrėnas, it is planned to organize such camps every year, so the best will be able to gather again to improve.
The organizer of the camp adds that in addition to the advantages already mentioned, it is also important that athletes get to know each other more closely and become not only stronger opponents, but also better friends. This helps later in the competition as well – when standing at the starting line, familiar faces and smiles remind us that the fight can be not only tenacious, but also friendly.
The camp is financed from the state budget funds allocated by the National Sports Agency under the talent development project “Athletics Talent”. This is the LLAF Young Talent Identification and Development Program, designed to discover and develop talented athletes with the greatest potential to achieve high results in athletics. The program is based on the Long-Term Athlete Education Strategy (IALS), which focuses on the sustainable development of athletes, ensuring that they reach their athletic maturity and high results only with proper preparation, avoiding the negative effects of early specialization.
