Sunday, February 28, 2010

Man o man.....

I haven't updated in while. Sort of a thought about why would be one of two future topics I have in my head 1) perspective while the other topic in my head has been 2) running with a 'chip on your shoulder'.

It's been a busy month. I have actually kinda raced (poorly and the lesson of how when you aren't in great shape a long run can really mess you up), spent a weekend seeing the mortality of my parents (disheartening, but also got to see them at probably the happiest they've been when they spend time with their grandson), got a flat tire, saw one of my best friends (guy in my wedding party), spent a weekend in children's hospital with Carter( nice way to see the Oly opening ceremonies and stressful watching him suffer), started track practices at school (we have a distance runner ringer.....this could be great..I mean really great), been down to take in at least one day of the Oly gong show (another topic of living vicariously through others??...or better yet how people from the suburbs don't know how to act in the big city???), wrote report cards, met up with a good friend from New Zealand (Jono Wyatt) and now sit here all alone as Jules, Carter and my running pal Kao have meandered down to the US for a few days.

It's when i don't think I've done anything that I actually realize a lot has occurred.

In general training has been okay. Nothing major, some good days, some mediocre, but nothing too terrible. And if it's been mediocre that's been a product of training or choice (egs on Tues I did 5 x 1000m off around 2 and a bit mins..not fast, but then again I had an amazing long run on Sunday, my legs were still very tired, it was the first time on the track in eons).

The idea with training right now is to simply get into my old 5-10km routine. It's what I call the Storey/Bideau cycle (nicknamed after British coach Alan Story who is an advisor to Aussie Nic Bideau). It's quite simple get in a day of controlled longer reps, hills, shorter tempo and long run. Simple stuff really as you don't really alter much from week to week except the intensity and volume, but other than that every day is somewhat similar.

The old routine/consistency ethos coming into play. I've probably been averaging around 80miles per week, but that's also been with a day off so in some respects my overall training load is probably more like 85-90 mile week rather than 80

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

The best online articles....

The emergence of the internet over the last 10-15 years has meant a plethora of material in regards to training. In no particular order are some of my favourites......have fun reading, but each of these is worth the time....I am sure there are many others I have left out, but these are always ones I found the ones that stuck with me over time! Most of these aren't scientific (you can find that easily) and to me represent the true blue components of my running philosophies.


Joe Rubio:
Rubio is the Aggies coach, and has produced many high calibre athletes, but I have always enjoyed his take in multi faceted training.

http://www.runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=4336

Jeff Johnson:
His internet famous speech at a high school border clash has gone down in the annals. Johnson was Nike's first employee and was a great coach with the Farm Team

http://www.dyestatnw.com//?pg=reg72008
CrossCountrySummeroftheRisingTidestoryJeffJohnsonspeechtext

Vin Lananna:
An absolutely fantastic article/presentation by Vin Lananna at the NCAC XC meet one year. IMHO the best firsthand stuff I've seen on the net by one of the most respected coaches.

http://www.nacactfca.org/articles/Lananna.pdf

Malmo's series of posts.....they are truly legendary and speak of an athlete who has been around the block enough times

http://2008olympictrialsakatommyleonard.shutterfly.com/filecabinet

Cruel Shoes:

http://2008olympictrialsakatommyleonard.shutterfly.com/236

Summer of malmo:

http://pih.bc.ca/summerofmalmo.html

Malmo's manifesto:
http://pih.bc.ca/malmosmanifesto.html


Joe Vigil:
The man, the myth the legend. This is his marathon training, but the guy is still motivational over the internet

http://peakrunningperformance.com/docs/THE_ANATOMY_OF_A_MEDAL.htm


Ovett:
I've always enjoyed Harry Wilson's training and since Ovett was his greatest athlete this is a really interesting read from Ovett's main training partner. I've always found it funny how some people have to write everything down in a log, while Ovett never wrote anything down.

http://www.britishmilersclub.com/bmcnews/1999spring.pdf


Bideau:
IMHO Bideau is absolutely spot on with training. He used to be Mottram's coach, but they had a falling out.

http://geoffmoore.blogspot.com/2007/07/article-by-nic-bideau.html

http://forums.glenhuntly-athletics.com/index.php?s=88b33ab2d299b1d2d6f5cb3a76657d3e&showtopic=253


Wardlaw:
Wardlaw's magic words on mileage, aerobic conditioning and not leaving your races in training are rules any coach and athlete need to follow. He used to coach Bideau and interesting enough now works wit Mottram.


http://forums.glenhuntly-athletics.com/index.php?s=88b33ab2d299b1d2d6f5cb3a76657d3e&showtopic=259

http://forums.glenhuntly-athletics.com/index.php?s=88b33ab2d299b1d2d6f5cb3a76657d3e&showtopic=259