Developing an endurance philosophy.
There are two people that I look at as shaping my philosophy of endurance.
Jan
The first is Jan Callahan from my days at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
The interesting thing about my relationship with Jan was that as my professor/instructor for the Health and Human Performance 488 course, she was also coaching me towards my 3rd marathon. I remember being intimidated by her as a student and feeling tested as an athlete. Those first 4 to 8 weeks were very difficult to understand, as I ran workouts that consisted of many 9:00 to 11:00 minute miles.
As a senior in the exercise science program, I couldn't wrap my mind around the scientific principles that were being used to develop my program. The truth is that no time in the exercise phys lab would have allowed me to learn the lesson she taught me. I don't know if she meant to teach me a lesson or if she just wanted me to get faster.... but I have always thought the greatest teachers get their message across without the student realizing that class is in session.
Performance has always been a great method for getting an athlete to believe. As I casually and comfortably took 25 mins off my marathon time in Texas that year, I was convienced.
Gordo
The second person that I credit is Gordo Byrn. His methods of writing and sharing his experience with everyone has been very helpful. Since 2001, I have read and sorted through just about every post he has made on his forum, article on his tips page or idea presented in his book "Going Long".
A valuable part of these exercises has been to witness how he sorts through the scientific aspect to endurance training and the practicallity of implemented principles that help people improve. (One principle is that I would be better off spending less time reading his forum!)
I have long awaited, in hope of a second book that would talk about his ideas of being dedicated to "the process". And then some detail into what that process includes. Today he posted over on his blog (gBlog) the opening to that book. Read the post "Book Two opener" to see the details.
Helping others learn these lessons.
The interesting point is that I learned very similar principles in two very different ways. Jan forced me to learn a more appropriate way to handle may endurance training. Gordo has shared his info (with the world) and left it out there for us to manage the information.
As I take on more athletes and clients, I hope that I can get these ideas out there for them to benefit from. The hard part for me to understand is that sometimes the things I have to share, is not what people want to hear.
No one yet has responded positively to my "slow down to get faster" message.
Jan
The first is Jan Callahan from my days at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
The interesting thing about my relationship with Jan was that as my professor/instructor for the Health and Human Performance 488 course, she was also coaching me towards my 3rd marathon. I remember being intimidated by her as a student and feeling tested as an athlete. Those first 4 to 8 weeks were very difficult to understand, as I ran workouts that consisted of many 9:00 to 11:00 minute miles.
As a senior in the exercise science program, I couldn't wrap my mind around the scientific principles that were being used to develop my program. The truth is that no time in the exercise phys lab would have allowed me to learn the lesson she taught me. I don't know if she meant to teach me a lesson or if she just wanted me to get faster.... but I have always thought the greatest teachers get their message across without the student realizing that class is in session.
Performance has always been a great method for getting an athlete to believe. As I casually and comfortably took 25 mins off my marathon time in Texas that year, I was convienced.
Gordo
The second person that I credit is Gordo Byrn. His methods of writing and sharing his experience with everyone has been very helpful. Since 2001, I have read and sorted through just about every post he has made on his forum, article on his tips page or idea presented in his book "Going Long".
A valuable part of these exercises has been to witness how he sorts through the scientific aspect to endurance training and the practicallity of implemented principles that help people improve. (One principle is that I would be better off spending less time reading his forum!)
I have long awaited, in hope of a second book that would talk about his ideas of being dedicated to "the process". And then some detail into what that process includes. Today he posted over on his blog (gBlog) the opening to that book. Read the post "Book Two opener" to see the details.
Helping others learn these lessons.
The interesting point is that I learned very similar principles in two very different ways. Jan forced me to learn a more appropriate way to handle may endurance training. Gordo has shared his info (with the world) and left it out there for us to manage the information.
As I take on more athletes and clients, I hope that I can get these ideas out there for them to benefit from. The hard part for me to understand is that sometimes the things I have to share, is not what people want to hear.
No one yet has responded positively to my "slow down to get faster" message.
posted by gary at 1:22 PM
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