This article is designed to help. Whether you're evaluating Sparks specifically or comparing us alongside other programs, our goal is to give you enough concrete information to assess fit. We've been running camps since 2010, now serving 500-600 athletes annually across programs on four continents. Here's what we do, how we do it, and who we do it for.

For teenage runners, recovery is especially critical. Adolescent bodies are simultaneously training, growing, and developing. The demands are high, and the margin for error is smaller than many realize. Athletes who master recovery outperform those who train harder but recover poorly.

This article covers the basics of nutrition for teenage distance runners: what your body needs, when it needs it, and how to recognize when you are falling short. We aim to provide practical guidance grounded in sports nutrition research, not fad diets or extreme protocols.

Mental training can seem abstract, but it becomes concrete when broken into specific, practicable skills. Here are three that matter most for distance runners.