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Michael Johnson’s Speedwork Training

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August 12, 2010 by Jimson Lee 3 Comments

Last Updated on February 8, 2015 by Jimson Lee

Michael Johnson’s training for speed endurance was covered in detail very early in the blog, so I thought it would be interesting to review what he did for speed work or acceleration development.  After all, we are talking about at man with a 10.09 PB for 100 meters and who ran 19.32 for 200 meters (yes, I know, 19.32 sounds funeral compared to a 19.19)

For starters, MJ and Clyde Hart never did speedwork at 100%.  That would just induce injuries.  So speedwork was kept at 95%.

Michael Johnson's Speedwork Training

Here are 3 different sample workouts for speed:

  1. One set 30m, 40m, 50m, 60m, 70m on the curve with full recoveries, standing start.  Purists will argue 70m is not speed work but rather speed endurance (except for Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay where their top speed is around 65-70 meters!)
  2. 6 x 100m at 95% non-timed from a standing start.  Rest 5 minutes between runs.   Sounds like a classic Pietro Mennea workout to me.
  3. 60-40.  This is more of a speed endurance type of workout:2 sets of 2 laps of 60-40:  60m at 95% then slow down 40m followed by an easy jog of 40m, usually by going back 20m and then turnaround to the next starting point.  Rinse and repeat until you reach the starting line (4 reps).  Rest 5 minutes between sets.  This is very similar to my 4x60m “turnaround” indoor workout for speed endurance, though I prefer a full recovery of 15-20 minutes between sets.  I turn around and go. No jogging for rest.  Your lungs and legs will be on fire pretty quickly.
See also  2008 Harry Jerome Track Classic - 1500 meters Men

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Weights and Base Training

Another interesting note for MJ was he reportedly did not do plyometrics, and his weight training did not include squats or Olympic Lifts but it did include lunges.  His off season or pre-season weight training consisted of packing 10 pounds of extra muscle.  You can review my previous weight training chart and determine what kind of training that entailed.

This was evident in his body type from 1995 WC and the 1996 Olympics.  Of course, we’ll get skeptics who will think otherwise.

Coaching is both an art and science, and a good coach will know when to ease up the training or crank up the intensity.  At the USATF 2007 seminar, Clyde Hart refers to “refreshing” the base” by doing his 6×200 meter workouts.  This is another one of Clyde Hart’s Train SLOWER to get FASTER philosophies.

As well, as a reminder, Clyde Hart once said:

Training programs are great, but you’ve got to have somebody who’s experienced, who knows where to make changes. You’ve got to be able to interpret it and apply it to your own athletes.

These workouts shifts back slightly from quality to quantity for a week or two mid season.  Remember Jeremy Wariner had to “peak” 3 times in 2004… NCAA Champs, USATF Olympic Trials, and the Athens Olympics.

Category iconCoaching,  Featured Story,  Track & Field,  Training Tag iconClyde Hart,  Michael Johnson,  speed

About Jimson Lee

I am a Masters Athlete and Coach currently based in London UK. My other projects include the Bud Winter Foundation, writer for the IAAF New Studies in Athletics Journal (NSA) and a member of the Track & Field Writers of America.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Money says

    August 17, 2010 at 4:42 am

    If Clyde Hart workouts are so great, why haven’t athletes been produce? I take nothing from Clyde Hart, he did what he did but he only wanted the elite athletes 47.2 and above. If I had 6-8 47 and above 400 meter sprinters and I left you with the left overs, how can I win. Clyde Hart didn’t really want Mike, but he took him because he didn’t get his top 400 meter recrute.

    Reply
  2. Markham says

    August 23, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Hi Jimson –

    Quick question – maybe it was the 13″ crappy TV I watched the 95 worlds and 96 Olympics on, but I don’t recall seeing a major change in Michael Johnsons body type, can you discuss this in more detail?

    I’m kinda of curious about it as I shape my fall program.

    Reply
  3. Adonai says

    July 15, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    I dont think that 19″32 would be a funeral jeje.

    Reply

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