New
New
Lesson 3 of 10
  • Year 10
  • AQA

Middle distance training

I can maintain an effective running style at an ideal pace to complete 800m.

Lesson 3 of 10
New
New
  • Year 10
  • AQA

Middle distance training

I can maintain an effective running style at an ideal pace to complete 800m.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: maintaining an effective smooth, upright and relaxed running technique will maximise the use of energy.
  2. Move: discovering a pace which is sustainable for you and performing it consistently will aid performance in races.
  3. Think: making good decisions about the pace you can sustain will positively impact your personal best.
  4. Feel: self-assessing your condition during performance will help to select and apply the optimal pace going forward.
  5. Connect: working with others to discover your ideal pace will build confidence in your ability to apply it in a race.

Keywords

  • Pace - the steady, controlled speed a runner maintains during the race

  • Split time - time taken to cover a segment of the race

  • Upright - a vertical posture maintaining a straight back

Common misconception

Pupils may perform middle distances by jogging the majority to conserve energy and putting a sprint in at the end. This often leads to pupils wishing they had put more effort into the initial stages.

A well performed 800m requires a fine line between holding back some energy for the finish but also performing at around 80-90% maximum effort for around the first 600m.


To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Middle distance training, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson is designed with pupils performing 800m due to its accessibility to mixed ability groups. However, if you believe your pupils would suit 1500m, you can find alternative split times in the additional materials.
Teacher tip

Equipment

A whistle, stack of cones and a stopwatch.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What are you most likely to experience in the final phase of sprinting?

Correct answer: fatigue
burst of energy
euphoria

Q2.
Over what distance does the body gradually rise to upright in sprints?

50m
Correct answer: 20m
5m

Q3.
What part of the foot contacts the ground in sprinting?

heels
Correct answer: balls of feet
tip toes

Q4.
What can you do post race to show respect to your fellow competitors?

stare
point
Correct answer: shake hands

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is a common mistake in middle distance running?

walking first lap
sprinting first lap
Correct answer: jogging first lap

Q2.
The first lap of the 800m should be performed at what percentage of your maximum effort?

70-80%
Correct answer: 80-90%
90-100%

Q3.
What action would you take if you are feeling tired after the first lap?

walk
Correct answer: maintain pace
sprint finish

Q4.
What should your breathing pattern be like during a middle distance run?

random and rushed
Correct answer: relaxed and rhythmical
rapid and restricted

Additional material

Download additional material