Data Entry

Data collection has become a hot topic amongst my coaching friends.  We all do it to varying extents, but the questions come fast and furious.

I'll give you an example.  There was a workout done where the athletes pulled 8x500m.  This was done at a 40-30-20-10 pacing where 200m were done at a split, then 150m were done faster, 100 done faster, and 50 done the fastest so the athletes gradually increased their pace.  Rates were capped between 30-32, and there were roughly 3:30 of rest between.  

The workout would look something like this:

8x500

SPM:  30-32 strict cap

200m:  Given pace

150m:  -0.5

100m:  -1

50m:  -1.5/2

Rest:  Group split in half, starting on 3 minute centers.  

Data collection

Total time per piece

100m splits

Heart rate Max/Avg. per piece

Watts avg. per piece

Total Watts

At the end of the discussion, we'd come to some consensus on the data and questions that need to be asked per collection.

1.  How much data are you collecting?

2.  What are you using the data for?

3.  What does this data actually tell you?

4.  How does this data collection influence your training going forward?

5.  Are the data collections points consistent - i.e. are the pieces the same or are there variables.

These are the five questions we came up with to evaluate the data collection process.  We did not break down what you should and shouldn't collect data on because each of us collected data on different workouts and wouldn't on others.  

These are the questions that I believe need to be considered when you start collecting your data.  I've worked with some coaches who collect sheets and sheets (Excel) of data, but other than sitting in the hard drive, they don't do anything.  The data is never worked over.  The results aren't distributed to the athletes consistently, and when done, there isn't an explanation beyond, "This is what you did."

I believe the data collection is valuable when done correctly.  I collect from specific workouts.  Those workouts will change slightly as the season progresses, but only in terms of splits.  An athlete might start a 10k piece at 6k+8 or 2:01, but as they get fitter, their splits will drop from 2:01 to 1:55 and so on.  

The progress is marked on how quickly they can cover the given distance with the same split and rate, or how many meters they can pull in a given them with a given SPM and rate.