I hope there are some people out there reading this blog besides my local running pals (you know who you are)! There is some darn good stuff out there for runners these days and I only post the best stuff I find. Anything I post here is either very entertaining (to me anyway) or educational. Please share this information with anyone you think would benefit from it. Today is one of those great educational posts.
I recently posted some comments on the RW running doc's post on kids running marathons. Then I found this recent post from Coach Jay Johnson on Metabolic changes vs Structural changes. The gist is that "metabolic changes occur faster than structural changes…and that’s usually why you get hurt." The entire post is worth a read, probably twice. Clay, this is exactly what we talked about today when we were discussing Scott (large engine weak chassis)! This is probably blog worthy for the DCXC blog. Even the comments on Coach Jay's post are all worth reading.
It reminds me of Greg McMillan's philosophies on his new DVD "McMillan's Guide to High School Cross Country." In this video he says we all have two gauges, a musculoskeletal gauge and a cardiovascular gauge, and we are always looking at the wrong gauge to progress training. He is saying exactly what Coach Jay states on his blog, "The point is simply that the athlete gains aerobic fitness (or even anaerobic fitness/tolerance) quicker than their structure – their bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments – can handle that fitness."
So what do both of these great coaches do to make sure their athletes musculoskeletal system can keep up with their cardiovascular system? Form drills, general strengthening (GS), and core training! Greg McMillan has a 3 level DVD program on these topics and Coach Jay posts short GS videos on his blog all the time. Check them out!
Any one coaching, training, or advising young runners should read all these posts and probably order some of McMillan's DVDs. They are inexpensive and FULL of great information. Please comment on what your thoughts are. Agree? Disagree? Have a question? Want more information? Let me know!
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5 comments:
Running Physical Therapists would make the best coaches for kids because we are always looking at the musculoskeletal gauge and fine tuning the runner. Most coaches do not know where to look to even find the gauge so it's time based only. I have warned the coach about Scott and I'm trying to hold him together for the next race.
I always find your posts very entertaining and educational. Thank you!
I agree with Clay. Most coaches do not have a clue on how to gauge a young kids musculoskeletal strength. I sure know that I did not when I was working with the Palmdale High runners. How do you think the young Kenyan runners keep from breaking down? They are all so thin! Do you think that we just don't hear about all of their causalities?
Chuck,
From what have heard, most of those east africans are running upward of 160mi/wk and it ends up being survival of the fittest, or the ones that don't break down become the best in the world. I have seen them do lots of form drill type exercises but never any core or resistance training, although I'm sure they do some. I think you are right, that we don't hear about all their runners that go injured due to over training but they are out there. Look at Marin Lel. I thought he would break the world record after his 3 London victories (PR 2:05:15 at London 2008), but he keeps pulling out of races including NY this year due to injury. He hasn't run a marathon since Beijing!
I do follow your blog, but don't post often as I'm a lowly 58 year old mid-pack runner that thinks I'm not worthy (bowing repeatedly on the floor with arms upraised) to converse with you!!
Did you see the movie "Secretariat?" Like the great runner Owens I draw comparisons to horses and runners. Those born with great genetics, the proper training, the injuries or illnesses, but most of all the great "spirit" of the champions.
@robison52,
Thanks for the comment. I will have to check out that movie. I enjoyed Seabiscut.
Please don't hesitate to ask a question anytime. I used to live in las vegas and know the area well. I ran the LV marathon in 2006 and went out WAY too hard. I also ran the Boston Marathon in 2008 which was the inspiration to start this blog. So we were at the same race. Good luck with your training for the LV half marathon.
Ever done any trail running?
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