Running with the Legends and the Limiting Factor

I have always been very interested in what great athletes from all sports have done in the past. I think a lot can be learned from these athletes. I have been reading "Running with the Legends," by Michael Sandrock and man it's a good one (thanks for the recommendation Janda). It basically tells the condensed life story of 21 of the greatest runners of all time. It is all very interesting, but what I like reading about most is the different training methods these phenoms used. So far, the two who have stuck out the most are Emil Zatopek and Lasse Viren. I have known of these two for a while now, but this book gives some great insight into what kind of people these 2 were and how they trained. I wonder where we'd be today if it weren't for Zatopek. The guy basically started 2 key training principles that are vital to endurance athletes, interval training and tapering. One session that he did often was 20x200, 40x400, and then another 20x200...all with 200 meter jog recoveries. That's kind of taking it to the exreme, but it worked for him and allowed him to be the only athlete ever to win the 5k, 10k, and marathon at the same Olympics (1952). Viren was pretty impressive himself, winning the 5k/10k double in back to back Olympics. He had a special ability to peak for the Olympics. He would often times get beat in races all over the world, but come that Olympic year he was in top form. It talked in the book about Viren doing upwards of 200 miles a week for weeks on end during his base phase. That's incredible. I don't want to give too much about the book away, but this is a must read for any runner/multi-sport athlete.

Changing direction a bit, in running and multi-sport there is so much knowledge out there today about training and racing. Often times I think this can be very overwhelming. I think one of the best things an athlete can do is create or have someone help you create a sound training program and then just STICK with it. I know a lot of people who will change a program a few times a year because they read something somewhere and doubt what they are doing so they change things up. Now, I'm all for spicing things up a bit in training to keep things interesting, but there are key training principles that need to stay constant in one's program. Here is an article written by Janda Ricci-Munn that covers some of these very important concepts. I think this is an excellent article...especially as people are starting to plan for 2010. Enjoy: http://landiceblog.com/?p=105#more-105.

Thanksgiving

Yesterday, Rachel and I joined her sister Katie and husband Chuck to help at a nursing home in Norfolk. I really wasn't sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a great experience and we were able to help some people have a very nice Thanksgiving meal. It was quite eye opening and really hit home how fortunate we are and how for granted we take our health. One particular man, probably in his 70s or so, did not have either of his legs and he was up on crutches thanking people and in good spirits...pretty inspiring. Another woman, just a tiny one, asked that people call her Mother something or another and she was playing the piano while some of the others living there sang. Kind of reminded me of the scene on Wedding Singer where the grandma sings a rap song. It was entertaining and they were having fun:) All in all, we walked away giving extra thanks on the day.

Afterwards, we came back to our place and had a dinner of our own. We actually picked up a dinner from Harris Teeter that was pre made and all we had to do was heat everything up. Yes, our mothers and grandmothers would probably be ashamed...but it's tough cooking a big meal for 4 people. It ended up working out great and the food was delicious. A little tradition the girls had while growing up and I know my family did this a few different years too, was to go around the table and each person has to say what they are thankful for. I said I was thankful for how healthy we all were and how, for the most part, all of our extended families have been healthy too. After the meal, Chuck and I watched our oh so sorry Lions get their butts handed to them again...a pretty sad game to watch...kind of like a couple of bad college teams. The girls were planning a winter trip back to Michigan to get together with their sisters, mom, grandma and other family members on their dad's side to celebrate 10 years since their father has passed. I often wish I would have met him as he sounds like he was a pretty remarkable man.

So, that's that, another successful Thanksgiving in the books. It's hard being so far from family at times, but days like yesterday make it a lot easier.

Lucky for me, Rachel works today so I won't be coerced into any black Friday shopping craziness.

JRM Sport Specific Training Services

This is an exciting blog to write about. This has been in the works for a bit now, but now that the '09 season is over it is time to turn this into reality. I have been coached by Janda Ricci-Munn since late summer of 2007. From the time I started working with him until now, I have grown a lot as an athlete and person. Janda has helped me get a lot faster as a triathlete, but he's also taught me a ton about all facets of this sport along the way. It's amazing what you can accomplish when two people (athlete and coach) work hard together. I can say without a doubt that Janda works as hard if not harder than any coach around and he flat out knows his stuff. Any of his athletes/competition would say the same. I would hate to race Janda as tenacious as he is. We've been talking a bit this second half of the season about me possibly joining him and helping him coach some athletes for 2010. I am on board and very excited about what is to come. Janda has a lot in the works as to where this is all going and let me tell you it is going to be BIG. He is not one to sit around and just be content with the success he's had as both an athlete and coach. He wants more and I'm very thankful for an opportunity to help him expand his already excellent coaching services. A new site is being created, but for now check out Janda's current coaching site: www.jandariccimunn.com or blog (link to the right).

If anyone out there is interested in taking their multi-sport game to the next level shoot Janda or myself an email: jrm@jandariccimunn.com or
dmsmith@sbo.hampton.k12.va.us

It amazes me how many coaches out there charge an arm and leg for their coaching services. For what you get, you won't pay less anywhere.

Clearwater Pictures

Get together at Shepherd's with Janda and crew

ITU Clearwater

Stephanie, Joel, Rachel, and I

Not sure how this will work out...I am not big into things like facebook, twitter, my space...heck I don't even have text messaging, but I've been told I should try the blog thing out so here it goes. I'll probably have all of 3 people follow this...haha...who knows.

I am going to cover mostly triathlon related stuff on this blog, but at times I'll dive into other areas of my life.

Clearwater was my last race of the 2009 season. I was a bit disappointed with how things turned out, but it was still a PR for the distance and for about 3.5 hours I was spot on to finish as fast as I thought I could go. Bottom line...I have to get my run better and as a result I will be working on that a ton this winter. I am taking a couple of weeks off to heal the body/mind from a long season. December will be an easy transition month and then it will be back at it hard after the new year. I will try to post at least weekly about what's going on.

Here is a link to a little interview done last winter by my friend Joel Myers that tells you a bit more about me: http://www.finalkick.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=69:final-kick-studio-meet-smitty&catid=38:interviews&Itemid=68