Run a Head
by Running Coach Bobby McGee
The secret to getting the best out of your fitness is locked inside your head—here’s how to unleash the running powers of the mind. Every physical running experience we have is a second creation. The 1st creation takes place in our minds prior to the run. This is both a powerful & frustrating realization. By acknowledging the truth in this statement we have to take full responsibility for the level of satisfaction that each run provides. We need to also happily see that our thinking can and most often does predetermine the value of each training session or race. The great wizard Merlin, from Arthurian legend said, “I know the future, for it is my past.” By this he meant that by predetermining what the outcome of an endeavor might be, we strongly influence the actual course of events. Merlin simply listened to what people feared or thought might happen, and then told them that it would. These characters then of course ensured that their fears or desires transpired by placing their attention fully on what it would take to ensure that outcome! More...
|
Straight from the Athletes: Kevin, Boulder: Mike - you have had a profound impact on my development as a triathlete. Obviously with the swim lessons, but also with the BTC clinics you've provided. Your monthly newsletters are awesome, and I've just seen your published article in Rocky Mountain Sports. We haven't worked together in almost a year, but I wanted you to know that you are still helping me improve. Best, Kevin
Josh, Boulder: |
Swim Drills vs. Swim Volume
by USAT Level II Coach Mike Ricci
Lately there has been a lot of fuss over swim drills. With the
introduction of Total Immersion a few years back, people have been
saying that swim drills are the hot new thing on the market. New?
They have been around for decades. When I was coaching high
school swimming in 1989 we were doing drills on a daily basis. Every
workout had a drill set in it, even if it were only a 500 yard weak
side breathing swim. Swim gloves for fist drills? Do we need all
these gadgets? Get a tennis ball, hold it in your hand and swim
down the pool, now that is a real fist drill swim. More...
Integrity
by USAT Level II Coach Mike Ricci
I define integrity as honesty and living by a set of values. When I make a commitment to do a certain workout, whether it’s 10 x 200 yards in the pool, or 12 x 2 minute running hill repeats – I make sure I get it done. I said I would do it, and I
will. Even if it’s not my day, or I’m feeling ‘off’, I get it done. Period.
Let’s look at the other side of
integrity, or lack thereof. How
about the athlete who
purposely swims 14 out of 16 lengths in a pool swim triathlon? Or
what about the athlete who drafts on the bike during a nondrafting
triathlon? Does that athlete have integrity? They could use
the excuse ‘everyone does it, and if you don’t draft you are only
hurting yourself.’ Or they could just follow the rules like most
competitors, and NOT cheat. How does an athlete take a qualifying
slot for Hawaii when they know they drafted on the bike? Lack of
integrity, that’s how.
My point in writing this article is that integrity starts with you. Heck,
the rules of triathlon are simple: swim, bike and run as fast as you
can from start to finish without any outside help or drafting off of
other competitors during the bike segment. The athlete across the
finish line first, we’ll call them the winner. There is really no debate
over whether drafting is allowable. It’s not. And until they change
the rule book, that’s the way it is.
One of the tricks I use to keep myself honest is I post my training
log to the web. I also post my annual plan. This way, I put it out
there, and now I HAVE to do it. Telling someone you are going to
do something and then following up on it is a great tool to use to
get your workouts in. If you have any integrity, you will get it done.
Telling someone you rode 45 miles when you only rode 30, who
does that hurt? The person you are telling or you?
Bottom line: Say
what you mean, and mean what you say. That is integrity.
