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The next step up from fartlek is Geronimo. Remember in fartlek that bursts of increased effort are decided by the way you feel. In Geronimo, there also are increases and decreases in effort—but not of your own choosing. Although widely applicable, track men have found Geronimo workouts very useful. The principle of Geronimo is to work hardest under adverse conditions and slow down when the going is easy. This is the exact opposite of training for fun and fitness. Running cross-country on Geronimo requires all-out, relentless speed going uphill and into the wind. Then coast downhill with a tail wind.

Geronimo workouts are so named because athletes often pep themselves up by shrieking “Geronimo” at the top of their lungs while in the midst of a grueling dash uphill against a headwind. Other epithets are invoked but for obvious reasons cannot be quoted.

Athletes are quite sensible. They never scream “Geronimo” in public or admit to it even in private. However, Geronimo is effective. Apparently the threat of abduction to mental institutions keeps athletes silent unless by themselves.

Interval Training
The ultimate in training is the “interval” system. More speed, more effort, more fatigue, and more determination are involved—but at a smaller expenditure of time. More work is compressed into a shorter workout. This system is relatively new in this country, having been “borrowed” from European athletes in recent years. Boiled down to its essence, interval training involves strenuous activity for a given distance or time period followed by an equal distance or time of minimal effort. These fast and slow “intervals” are then repeated.

In swimming the athlete, after warming up, swims the length of the pool at maximal or near-maximal effort. He then turns and swims back very slowly. Turning again he repeats his fast lap, followed by a leisurely return. By keeping a record of his time on fast and slow laps and by noting the number of intervals accomplished he can measure his progress.

Finally, training under adverse conditions gives the athlete confidence of his abilities to excel when the environment is ideal. Workouts can be undeniably delicious in a howling wind, at night, under extremes of hot and cold, in choppy water, over snowy terrains, on mushy grass, and in a drizzle. Athletes know that a satisfactory workout in difficult circumstances virtually guarantees better performance on the day of competition.

Pre-Event Nutrition
As noted earlier, the day-in, day-out food consumption of an athlete has little influence on competitive performance. An exception to this generalization is pre-event nutrition.

A consideration of pre-event meals begins forty-eight hours prior to competition. This applies only to endurance events, since there are no scientific data or theoretical implications to suggest that all-out burst events can be modified by nutrition.

Although performance cannot be enhanced, serious impairment can be avoided—loose bowels, abdominal cramps, impeded emptying of the stomach, depleted salt stores, and inadequate energy supplies. If these can be avoided or minimized, the athlete can exert himself closer to his full potential. Beginning about forty-eight hours before competition, the athlete can modify his diet to offer maximum protection against such mishaps. Irritating or “gassy” foods should be avoided.

Tags: fartlek