Archive for September 2015
The Training Grind- Why it’s sometimes better to feel bad than back off.
There is one piece of advice that I give to aspiring runners that makes no sense. There’s little logic in the saying, and it appears contradictory and wholly unsatisfactory. Yet it works, almost every time. When the words come out of my mouth, I’m met with an inquisitive look that says “Is he serious?” This…
Read MorePsychology of Doping- Why we’re fighting a losing battle-
We’re fighting a losing battle is a phrase that is thrown around far too frequently. It’s meant to show despair but also to inspire a change of direction. When it comes to performance enhancing drug use in sport, sadly this cliche phrase is applicable. We are losing a fight that needs to be won, if…
Read MoreEpisode 20- A Systems vs. Process Approach to Coaching
In Episode 20, Jon and I discuss the difference between a Systems and Process approach to coaching. What’s the difference? A systems based approach could be described as having a set formula/specific model for training. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Daniels, Coe, Lydiard, or any other coach. A systems approach means following that plan without…
Read MoreThe Art of Being a Contrarian
During my search for understanding the history of endurance training, I saw a pretty distinct pattern. There was a constant ebb and flow of popular theories. The all-interval crew would take precedence and then the higher mileage method would come back in style a decade or so later. This swinging of the pendulum back and…
Read MoreScience vs. Art of coaching- What actually is Science?
While reading the Carl Sagan book The Demon Haunted World, which is a classic about science, pseudoscience, and technology, I came across a section in which Sagan essentially discusses how science develops and what it actually is. His argument is that it’s really a method of seeing the world. Science isn’t the rote memorization and…
Read More