The Track and Field Performance Podcast

Colm Bourke
  • 4.7 (29)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Dedicated to giving coaches, athletes, and fans of Track and Field expert knowledge and insights from practitioners across the various event disciplines and domains of human performance.

  1. Ernie Clark, Bob Thurnhoffer, and Jason Wakenight: Training for the 400 meters

    6D AGO

    Ernie Clark, Bob Thurnhoffer, and Jason Wakenight: Training for the 400 meters

    This episode brings together three coaches with documented success coaching the 400 meters and 4×400 m relay within the NCAA system. Ernie Clark, the Head Coach for sprints, hurdles, and jumps at Northern Arizona University, previously coached at San José State and Ashland University. He has guided athletes such as Trevor Bassitt, Myles Pringle, and Jeremiah Walker to 45-second performances, while also producing multiple school and conference record holders in the 400 m. Most recently, Clark led the NAU women’s 4×400 m relay to the NCAA Championships, where they ran a school and conference record of 3:31.28. Bob Thurnhoffer, the first-ever guest on the podcast, continues to expand an already accomplished résumé. Now an Assistant Coach at the University of Louisville, he coached Synclair Savage to the NCAA Outdoor Championship title in the women’s long jump this past season. During his two seasons at the University of New Mexico, Thurnhoffer coached Rivaldo Leacock and Jovahn Williamson to NCAA final appearances in the 400 m hurdles and 400 m, respectively, while also guiding Jevon O’Bryant and Brodie Young to multiple 45-second performances, culminating in his men’s 4×400 m relay reaching the NCAA final. Jason Wakenight, Assistant Coach at the University of Iowa and a previous guest (Episode 22), has built one of the strongest reputations in the NCAA for developing elite 400–800 m training groups. During his time at Iowa he has coached two 44-second performers (Jenoah McKiver and Mar'yea Harris), six athletes under 45 seconds (2020 Big Ten athlete of the year, Wayne Lawrence Jr), and four 4×400 m relay teams under 3:01. In 2025, Wakenight led the Iowa men’s and women’s 4×400 m relay teams to 4th- and 6th-place finishes at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. On the women’s side, Iowa broke both the indoor and outdoor school records last season, highlighted by a 3:26.90 outdoor performance in the 4×400 m relay. The Iowa men’s 4×400 m relay has reached the NCAA Outdoor final in five of the last eight championships and won seven of the last ten Big Ten outdoor titles. Topics: What truly defines elite 400 m training for men and womenSpeed vs. special endurance and how to allocate training emphasisTraining the first 300 m versus the final 100 m of the raceRace modeling, split targets, and velocity managementDeveloping quarter-milers from different athlete profilesBuilding championship-ready 4×400 m relay teamsManaging volume and intensity across long seasonsConfidence, belief systems, and execution under fatigueApologies for the audio/connection difficulties within this episode.  Support the show

    2h 22m
  2. Craig Pickering: Developing Elite Sprint Relay Teams and High Performance Systems

    12/06/2025

    Craig Pickering: Developing Elite Sprint Relay Teams and High Performance Systems

    Craig Pickering – former Olympic sprinter, Winter Olympian in bobsleigh, sport scientist, and now Director of Performance Sustainability at Athletics Australia – joins the show to unpack what it takes to build a world-class sprint and relay system. He shares insights on athlete transitions, skill acquisition, and the systems driving Australia’s sprint resurgence. We explore his journey from elite athlete to high-performance leader, how Australia has built depth and buy-in across its relay program, and why “training in chaos” has become central to his coaching philosophy. Craig also speaks on data-driven decision making, performance support, and the innovation shaping the next era of Australian athletics. Topics: 0:02 – Craig’s journey from elite athlete to high-performance leader5:25 – Injury setbacks, transitions, and entering the sport science world9:27 – Moving to Australia & shaping Athletics Australia’s performance pathway10:39 – Why Australian men’s sprinting is rising13:51 – Building relay culture, buy-in, and structuring effective camps24:10 – Relay coaching philosophy & the value of training under chaos35:17 – Skill acquisition, decision-making & performance under pressure40:50 – The evolving role of the modern coach and performance support51:28 – Pathways Transition Program & developing future athletes52:52 – Research, innovation & the next frontier for Australian athleticsSupport the show

    57 min
  3. Marco Airale: Sprint Mechanics, Intensive Tempo Training, and Warm Ups

    08/06/2025

    Marco Airale: Sprint Mechanics, Intensive Tempo Training, and Warm Ups

    Marco Airale has been one of the fastest-rising elite sprint coaches of the past five years — and one of the youngest — guiding athletes like Reece Prescod, Andre De Grasse, Daryll Neita, Amy Hunt and others to fast times and global medals. With a background in physiotherapy and osteopathy, Marco blends therapy and coaching to maximise performance and keep athletes healthy.  In this conversation, we discuss: Balancing step length and step frequency for each athleteUsing intensive tempo to build fitness and resilienceManaging training load and recovery across the seasonThe role of warm-ups in preparing sprinters for peak performanceCoaching sprinters, hurdlers, and relay athletes at the elite levelBuilding and leading an international training group in ItalyPreparing athletes for multiple rounds at major championshipsFollow Marco on Instagram: coach_air_ Support the show

    1h 12m
  4. Paul Burgess: Vaulting from Elite Athlete to World-Class Coach

    07/07/2025

    Paul Burgess: Vaulting from Elite Athlete to World-Class Coach

    From being a 6 meter pole vaulter back in 2005 to coaching the 2024 Olympic gold medallist Nina Kennedy and 2023 World Championships bronze medallist Kurtis Marschall, Paul Burgess has transitioned from elite athlete to coach with huge success, particularly over the past 5 years. That journey, however, hasn’t been totally straightforward. In this episode, you’ll hear real humility from someone who has clearly stayed curious and driven to help his athletes perform at their best.  We spoke the technical and physical training behind pole vault, specifically as it relates to Kurtis and Nina --- including the key changes that helped them take their performance to the next level.  Paul outlined his strong belief in a 'less is more' and 'being specific' approach to training. Additionally, he expressed the importance of being adaptable in competition and how he fosters this mentality when it comes to pole selection, run up distances and more.  If you’d like to get in touch with Paul regarding his coaching services --- such as mentoring, video analyses, programming, and more --- you can find him on Instagram @polevaulthub Support the show

    1h 29m
  5. Eamonn Flanagan: Key Principles Behind Effective Plyometric and Jump Training

    05/19/2025

    Eamonn Flanagan: Key Principles Behind Effective Plyometric and Jump Training

    Eamonn Flanagan is the Head of S&C at the Sport Ireland Institute. In this episode, Eamonn shares deep insights from a career that spans elite Olympic (including track & field), Paralympic, and professional rugby environments. He is very well known for his work on jump or plyometric training with peer-reviewed research, online courses and much more on this form of training.  We unpack a range of topics including: -Eamonn's career journey and some key perspective shifts along the way -Varying physical preparation based on sporting demands -Coaching and progressing plyometric training -Technique and adaptations during intense plyometrics like drop jumps and horizontal bounding -Key considerations when using Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP) Eamonn also discusses collaboration with sport coaches, the importance of shared language, and how to align physical training with sport-specific goals. Whether you’re an track and field coach, S&C, or an athlete, this conversation is a masterclass in practical wisdom and nuanced coaching from someone with a large amount practical and academic experience. Find Eammon: -X: https://x.com/EamonnFlanagan -Research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eamon... Support the show

    56 min
  6. Joseph Coyne: Giving the Athlete What They Need When They Need It

    03/22/2025

    Joseph Coyne: Giving the Athlete What They Need When They Need It

    Joseph Coyne, PhD is the Director of High Performance & Sports Development, Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar and Strength & Conditioning Coach, Elite Sport Program & Swimming, Bond University Joseph's experience in Track & Field extends far and wide; we dug into his time working with the Chinese athletics federation including his work supporting Olympic-level sprinters and jumpers alongside world-renowned coach Randy Huntington. Joseph shares practical insights on plyometric training, athlete profiling, special strength training, contrast methods, as well as how he adapts his approach across youth, developing, and elite athletes. Joseph conducted his PhD research on training load at Edith Cowen University in Perth and has also written widely on topics such as plyometrics, strength and power development, and performance testing – with work published on SimpliFaster, Sportsmith, and various peer-reviewed journals.  There are very few in the sports performance field with the degree of applied and academic experience as Joseph has, so I hope you enjoy this one! 🔗 Explore more of Joseph’s work: ResearchGate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph-Coyne Articles on SimpliFaster: https://simplifaster.com/articles/author/josephcoyne/ Articles on Sportsmith: https://www.sportsmith.co/contributors/joseph-coyne/ Support the show

    1h 14m
  7. Chris Shambrook: How Psychological Preparation Fuels Performance, Confidence, and Resilience

    03/01/2025

    Chris Shambrook: How Psychological Preparation Fuels Performance, Confidence, and Resilience

    Dr. Chris Shambrook, is a renowned expert in performance psychology with over five Olympic cycles of experience. In this episode, Chris shares his journey from earning a PhD in sports psychology to working extensively with British Rowing, Olympic athletes, and high-performance teams across various sports and business settings. We explore the evolving role of sports psychology in elite environments, discussing how athletes and coaches can integrate psychological skills into daily training rather than treating them as separate sessions. Chris explains the challenge vs. threat mindset, the importance of psychological adaptability, and how mental preparation can influence an athlete’s ability to perform under pressure. Additionally, we dive into the nuances of confidence-building, the balance between outcome-driven and process-focused athletes, and the critical role of self-awareness in long-term success. Chris also shares practical strategies for managing expectations, developing resilience, and maintaining performance consistency across different competition scenarios. Chris is now focused on applying his expertise in the corporate world through PlanetK2, where he helps individuals and teams develop high-performance mindsets in business environments. You can learn more about his work at PlanetK2.com or access free high-performance resources at The Performance Room. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on the psychological factors that shape elite athletic performance and how these principles can be applied both in sport and beyond. Support the show

    1h 14m
  8. James Sandilands: The Art and Science of High Jumping

    02/03/2025

    James Sandilands: The Art and Science of High Jumping

    Athletics New Zealand track and field coach, James Sandilands is mainly known as the coach to the current World Indoor and Olympic champion in the jump, Hamish Kerr, but James's current crop of high level athletes spans far and wide from multi-eventers, sprinters, and horizontal jumpers. He is a former high jumper and hurdler himself with several years of experience as both a performance technique analyst and a strength and conditioning coach for High Performance Sport New Zealand. In this episode: -James' transition from athlete to coach and the pivotal mentors who shaped his path. -The nuances of coaching at the elite level, balancing technical precision with the art of communication. -Insights into performance analysis, biomechanics, and their critical roles in enhancing athletic performance. -The complexities of high jump training, from approach strategies to managing the psychological aspects of competition. -The collaborative dynamics within a high-performance team and the continuous learning curve of coaching. Support the show

    1h 23m
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Dedicated to giving coaches, athletes, and fans of Track and Field expert knowledge and insights from practitioners across the various event disciplines and domains of human performance.

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