Sprinting, anyone?

I've turned a new leaf at age 51.5. I decided to give actual sprinting a go, and enlisted the services of an actual sprinter coach, Heather who's partnering with Ric generally in coaching some sprinters and youth. So yes I have two coaches right now. One was just not enough! Ric and Heather provide me about as complete a coaching package as anyone could hope for.

A small adult sprint group has embarked on formal sessions designed to beef up our core strength, glute strength, hip flexor strength, flexibility, and explosive power and strength generally. These are just the parts that I've actually noticed, there are likely other things going on that I don't yet understand.

Heather is the good cop AND the bad cop. She works us fairly hard, but is so nice and encouraging at the same time that it is always fun and energizing. She is the real deal---bringing extensive technical knowledge and real world experience.

Our current sprint group is terrific and the energy is good! These one hour sessions are currently the highlight of my workout week, as there is typically something brand new and therefore something to learn. Goodbye same old same old, hello unknown!

The body seems to be responding to these new stimuli, I feel effects in places heretofore never stimulated, such as hip flexors (talking to me right this very minute!) and possibly a developing glute muscle (I'll take some measurements, its something like global warming, very gradual at first).

My goal is specific... All American standard for men 50-54 in the 400 meter race... 57.4 seconds specifically. This would be HUGE if accomplished. I've never ever thought of myself as a true sprinter. If I could pull this off.... it opens up a lot of possibilities, especially back up at the 800 meter distance.