Posted by GC on Friday, April 8, 2011,
In :
Education
Some interesting SRM data from Tirreno-Adriattico Team Time Trial showing the values and Power output Click here to read more on Mickael Morkovs ride for the Saxo Bank Team. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Wednesday, April 6, 2011,
In :
Education
This weekend is the Grand National one of the British institutions in terms of sporting events. In terms of looking for a winner it his always a hrad race to call and often like finding a needle in a haystack. However according to the Professionals there are some stats that appear popular from the past 15 years. Most winners are 9 or 10 and have an endurance background of having performed well over 3miles 1 furlong or further. They tend to have hidden some form from the handicapper to give th... Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Sunday, March 13, 2011,
In :
Education
A look at distance running standards the first is a 10k and 10 mile held on the same day in 1984. The second race is a 5mile from 1984 and the result from 2010. Our own Team Bodyworks XTC super vet Nigel Gates appears in both sets of the 1984 results topping the 5 mile race and a 13th 49.24 in the 10mile Road race
18 November 1984 Birmingham Rank Xerok Series 10k
1. D Lewis 28.29 2. J Buckner 28.48 3. S Kenyon 28.54 4. C Thackeray 28.56 5. E Martin 28.57 6. B Dee 28.58 7. A Guilder 29.04 8. D Buzza 29... Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Friday, April 2, 2010,
In :
Education
Read more on how parents in Africa sometimes get to here of the children becoming World Champions and what they may have a more pressing reason for not being there Click here. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Monday, February 22, 2010,
In :
Education
With the end of February comes the begining of March (incase you hadnt noticed) and the season comes into sight over the horizon. Its a good time to be able to take stock and look at how you are progressing both physically and mentally. Progressing being the operative word. For some already they will be showing great fitness and ready to race which can be concerning as the season is still as long away now as the New year is behind us, and thats for those starting early. Confidence in your own...
Posted by GC on Wednesday, February 3, 2010,
In :
Education
Click here to read more on an interesting article on statistically where Team GB 2012 will come from. Its not the best of pictures. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Thursday, January 7, 2010,
In :
Education
An interesting video on Lance armstrong and his experimentation with core temperature and aerodynamics. The weather looks slightly warmer a well ! Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Saturday, November 28, 2009,
In :
Education
Following the stories on Tim Montgomery and Marion Jones here is a positive one on someone making the most of it after a less than fortunate start to life. Making the most of opportunities Click here Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Saturday, November 28, 2009,
In :
Education
Click here to read more about how crime doesnt pay in a part two installment of the fall from grace as the fastes man in the World Tim Montgomery does time. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Friday, November 27, 2009,
In :
Education
Its almost Hollywood Love, Drugs, Royalty the whloe shebang. The lengths people will go for the win Click here . An insight to Tim Montgomery and Marion Jones and their world of shame. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Saturday, November 21, 2009,
In :
Education
Kara Goucher
A very good article on Kara Goucher who is coached by Alberto Salazar at the Nike Oregan Project. Both an interesting approach and also very clear answers to some interesting questions.A strong adaptable simple approach. Click here Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Tuesday, November 10, 2009,
In :
Education
A piece by Ryan Hall giving a postscript to his New York Marathon last weekend. In essence it wasnt the race he was looking or hoping for yet he gives a strong account tof the race and finishes with astrong last sentence.....
I woke up at 5 am yesterday morning without an alarm, wide-eyed and full of optimism. It felt almost wrong that the day was finally here. I had been looking forward to this day since I first watched the 2006 ING New York City marathon from the lead vehicle. From that...
Posted by GC on Friday, November 6, 2009,
In :
Education
Below is an extensive list of British 10km performances from the early 1970s through to today. There maybe the odd run missing (Mo Farah etc). I have highlighted in RED those runs that were done this century ie since 2000. In BLUE are those runners from th 1990s. In GREEN those from the 1980s and in ORANGE those from the 1970s. Interestingly one of the runners I hadnt heard of Adrian Royle from the early 80s who ran 27.47. Today his name would be etched in our minds as one of our top Distanc... Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Wednesday, October 28, 2009,
In :
Education
As an athlete (and a coach) one of our greatest assests is shown above and our ability to use them increases our ability to improve and maximise our oppoortunity to achieve our maximum potential. How many of us actually use them to anywhere near their full potential ?
Posted by GC on Tuesday, October 6, 2009,
In :
Education
A latest diary installment from a US High School runner in Ethiopia. Its captivating what he has seen....
I had a real treat today as there was a big race at the National Stadium. One of the coolest things about the stadium is that one can watch most of the competetitions that they have for free. We just walked right in and sat down in the middle section of the stadium. The meet that day was the regional championship, a competition that spanned over four days. Runners from Oromia, Amhara, Addi... Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Tuesday, September 29, 2009,
In :
Education
Another interesting extract from the US high school runners diary whilst in Ethiopia...
“Asphalt Day”
Today I woke up at 5:20 to begin what would be a much longer trip than I had anticipated. Mersha had told me the day before that we would be heading to a place called Sendafa for training. Sendafa, one of the many famous training locations that Running Across Borders utilizes, is located just outside of Addis, only something like 20 miles away, but because of the condition of the roads, ...
Posted by GC on Monday, September 28, 2009,
In :
Education
A diary extract from a young US High School Runner who went to train in Ethiopia.
8000 feet
Today was my first day of official training with the Running Across Borders Camp. We drove out to the Semin Hotel in Addis to pick up one of the other coaches of RAB, Mersha. I was also very pleased with Mersha, a young and energetic character. As we discussed different aspects of training, particular athletes, and athletics in general, it was evident that he was very passionate and that he enjoyed wh...
Posted by GC on Sunday, September 20, 2009,
In :
Education
Some interesting stats on the Berlin Marathon 2009 and how even the best are not exempt from the same rules as us mere mortals. Over cook it at your peril. Click here Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Thursday, September 10, 2009,
In :
Education
Brett Gotcher winner of US 20k Road Champs at the weekend in 58.57.....
Being as close to the New Haven Road Race as we are, it’s easy to lose sight of what a big deal this is for a person like Gotcher, who works part time in a print shop to eat, has no personal sporting goods endorsement, and called his $8,000 first-place check “life changing.”
“I work 20 hours in a print shop like Kinko’s, but it’s locally owned, and that’s what pays the bills right now,” said the 25-year-old ... Continue reading ...
1) Consider the sport a hobby until you can generate enough income through it, but treat your hobby dead serious. 2) Generate enough income else how, whether through mooching, coaching (hell, everyone else is doing it!), or by---God forbid---getting a REAL JOB.!!! 3) Solicit financial assistance, whether through...
Posted by GC on Tuesday, August 11, 2009,
In :
Education
As the summer runs on (literally) it will be great to see the Track and Field Champs from Berlin starting this Saturday. Following on from the World Swimming Championships which saw some great races besides the added comical factor of Multiple world records.
Posted by GC on Wednesday, July 29, 2009,
In :
Education
In 5minutes last night I went from World Championship swimming finals highlights to Bekele and Lagat duking it out over 3km in Paris. Thats worth one step to heaven at least. Phelps beaten Bognor Gold on Backstroke 1500m pacing Outside steamer for GB misses medal
Posted by GC on Friday, June 26, 2009,
In :
Education
Now there is a word I came across today. Complexify described as making things more complex and difficult than they really are. As opposed to the Simplicity of Are you understanding what you need to do (Swim / Bike / Run / Transition faster) Are you improving Are you enjoying Are you willing to suffer.
On an aside have a read of Mark Cavendish autobiography thats out now. Its actually a very good read.
Posted by GC on Monday, June 8, 2009,
In :
Education
We can be prone to taking everything we read as gospel. If its written down its true. its not that simple. Anyway on a separate note here are a few things you may not have known about my dim and distant past Click here Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Friday, April 24, 2009,
In :
Education
I have been finishing off my PHD recently on the connection between an athletes mind and mood to they type of egg they have a preference for that day. As you know there are many ways or preparing an egg. Boiled Fried Scrambled Poached Pickled Sunny side up Raw are among a few of the available preparations. Extensive research over many volunteers over a two week period has seen changes in egg choice that match to particular mood and mind swings within individuals. Stage two of the study is to look ...
Posted by GC on Monday, April 20, 2009,
In :
Education
Its been a few days having been away its good to get back to familiar surroundings and back to the coal face. Having been offline unfortunately I havent been able to share some of my experiences and thoughts with you. Possibly over the next few days I will have time to put some reflections from my travels on this page.... Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Wednesday, April 1, 2009,
In :
Education
It is a pleasure to have the US president logging on to the website. Apparently the site was drawn to his attention by his personal aid Reggie Love on arrival in the UK. Infact initially whilst doing some surfing in Washington DC before his trip he came across the site and passed on the information to his Boss. An avid fitness fanatic he (Barack) is apparently keen to do a Triathlon this fall (autumn to me and you). So was doing some persoanl research. Well that certainly doesnt happen every ... Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Friday, March 13, 2009,
In :
Education
Looks like we are going to have birth certificates, dental records and any other form of personal identification at training next week Click here. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Tuesday, March 3, 2009,
In :
Education
Next week sees the launch of Dwain Chambers autobiography. Click here to read a brief interview with him and some thoughts on his harshest crtics ovee the past few years including such notables as Sebastian (Lord) Coe. Sounds as though there may be a few people running for the hills ! Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Friday, February 6, 2009,
In :
Education
An interesting read about athletes travelling to Ireland to visit Gerard Hartmann renound Sports therapist and ex triathlete himself. Click hereto seethewho,swhowith visasgranted. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Tuesday, February 3, 2009,
In :
Education
Trying tp take the ability to fly to a new level perhaps ! Click hereUnfortunately there is always someone out there looking to make a buck. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Monday, February 2, 2009,
In :
Education
The world as we know it grounds to a halt at the fall of some snow. Facilities shut roads closed here we are in the 21st century and a leading nation in the world yet we are brought to our knees by some snow flakes. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Monday, January 26, 2009,
In :
Education
Its taken 33 years to beat Jim Ryans record from 1966 but German Fernandez has finally done it Click here. Obviously the Kenyans and Ethiopians + any other Africans struggle for inddor tracks in Africa. Not sure if there are any? Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Sunday, January 25, 2009,
In :
Education
Yesterday saw a day where West Ham moved on in the FA Cup with a 2-0 victory at a potential banana skin hiding to nothing trip to Hartlepool from Division One. With out doubt the Countries number one team wearing Claret and Blue.
Posted by GC on Sunday, January 18, 2009,
In :
Education
I have to apologise for the lack of Guest blogging over the past couple of weeks. I have been unfortunately let down a couple of times by persons who shall remain unnamed for fear of public humiliation. I hope that they will be able to step up to the plate in the future at some stage to perform a guest blog. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Sunday, January 18, 2009,
In :
Education
Simple strong words that I thought I would share after yesterdays Regional Training Day. They encapsulate athletically what we require to strive towards our goals. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Monday, January 12, 2009,
In :
Education
Now theres a question that a famous golfer was once asked."Do you feel lucky ?" To which he replied "Do you know what the harder I train the luckier I seem to become......." So is there actually anything out there which is Luck or merely is it something that has knowingly or unknowingly been prepared for correctly. How many of us wait for a bit of luck to come along or how many times do we hear the words "down on my/your luck". Is this merely determined from an extended period of poor practice i... Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Wednesday, January 7, 2009,
In :
Education
No sooner are we back at school and the teachers at schools with their unrelenting and often complete non understanding of young athletes rears its ugly head. The oblivious nature to the young athletes needs against their goals and objectives as teachers for their teams. These teachers who work in a domain of whatever is required in that term from an individual over rides any compassion or understanding to the long term development of the young athlete, who appears merely as a pawn in the pro... Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Tuesday, December 30, 2008,
In :
Education
Every now and then the challenge of what others are perceptually doing and how much of it raises its infamous head. Our belief, trust, commitment and desire are all faced with an emmotional onslaught that challenges what we are doing. These are often the greatest challengesathletes face in their steps on the ladder to the ultimate top. How far up we travel the ladder and how often we fall back down the rungs depends on simply our belief, trust, commitment and desire to our own ladder. Others...
Posted by GC on Wednesday, December 10, 2008,
In :
Education
BRITISH MEN'S MARATHON BESTS
1. Steve Jones - 2:08:16 (1985)
2. Charlie Spedding - 2:08:33 (1985)
3. Richard Nerurkar - 2:08:36 (1997)
4. Paul Evans - 2:08:52 (1996)
5. Geoff Smith - 2:09:08 (1983)
Interetsing stats from Marathon running and to see that the last of theses top 5 times was run over 10 years ago. An article a couple of years ago had some strong words from Dave bedford organisor of the London marathon and ex world record Holder for 10km and Richard Neuraker
Posted by GC on Saturday, December 6, 2008,
In :
Education
Keep it simple keep it sweet..... 1. Eat well 2. Rest 3. Stretch 4. Train (swim,bike,run, condition) 5. Time management
Anything else we wish to add are accessories that could hopefully have a benefit. But they dont come in at a cost of the Basic 5. Everyones contribution of the basic 5 and accessories is individual depeandant on many factors. These are your weapons your allies without them you leave yourself open to attack and defenceless.
Posted by GC on Thursday, December 4, 2008,
In :
Education
What great news for Triathlon with the funding levels for the next four years being confirmed. In this current financial climate to see a slight increase (looks like approximately 5-6%) in support linked to the fact that this time around we are preparing for an Olympics in our own back yard as opposed to half way around the World is all positive. Click here to read more about how other sports compared. Im sure it will be an exciting four year cycle to 2012. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Wednesday, November 26, 2008,
In :
Education
The challenge of balance in our lives comes in many forms.
Balance is an important thread that exists all the way through our lives. Time and time again our balance is challenged and we are tested to realign ourselves again. From our first steps as an infant we learn to stand and balance so taking our first faltering steps. This continues both mentally and physiically for the rest of our lives. As it is when we first learn to walk, all of us are different in the length of time it takes us an...
Posted by GC on Tuesday, November 25, 2008,
In :
Education
Tracey Harris is alive and kicking and not actually far away in Brighton. Caught up with him last weekend at a dinner party (a rare occurrence for me). His dress attire wasnt quite so colourful as the picture above and he now sports a billiard ball head but the gas is still there for a good yarn. Infact my ears certainly did a whole lot more work than my mouth. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Monday, November 24, 2008,
In :
Education
As an athlete or coach we should be continually looking to raise the bar. Identifying those things we need to address allow us to raise the bar and by doing them consistantly enables us to approach the bar with confidence next time. The lack of addressing the right areas and lack of consistancy are what ultimately lead to the hesitation on approaching the bar. Setting the bar correctly and having prepared consistantly will give you the confidence to approach the bar in full flow and at best ... Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Sunday, November 23, 2008,
In :
Education
What is meant by "Doing a Giles" a phrase known and understood by some whilst to others it will possibly have no meaning at all. In essence historically the phrase is synonomus with more commonly known phrases such as taking the mickey, sailing close to the wind, taking liberties, not showing respect and doing as they feel. They are all in turn linked with behaviour towards 1. the squad and its members and 2. the coach(es). So basically behaviour that undermines the well being of the squad by ... Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Friday, November 14, 2008,
In :
Education
How often do you start reflection and preparation on training and performance with what you have done and what you can do as opposed to what you havent done or cant do ? Try it for a week and see how you get on purposely trying to adjust your thought process. On a squad level make a point of picking someone up in conversation if they start any form of reflection the wrong way. When all is smooth then the exercise is more straightforward yet for some still challenging whilst when all is not so ... Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Wednesday, November 12, 2008,
In :
Education
A great sketch from the Two Ronnies which draws great paralells for me to coaching and really trying to understand who and what is in front of you and importantly what they are saying. Hopefully as coaches we are more succesful with coming up with the right answers than this shop keeper ! Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Tuesday, November 11, 2008,
In :
Education
Next time you are feeling down on your luck spare a thought for the Gentleman who ran the New York Marathon last week who was in his sixties. The Gentleman was also blind and had one kidney. Still he did the marathon and completed the course in 9 hours. No mean feat. Unfortunately he then had a heart attack and died. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Friday, November 7, 2008,
In :
Education
Girls a clip to inspire you to prepare for S&C next week. Perhaps those chins will come in handy after all. I thought I even saw DrTL in one clip (must be doing some secret sets in Brighton).
Posted by GC on Wednesday, November 5, 2008,
In :
Education
When the training has been done. The nutrition is complete. The stretching maximised. Reflection and diaries wrapped up. Preparation for tomorrow sorted. Then why not click here for a time wasting exercise CLICK ON ME Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Tuesday, November 4, 2008,
In :
Education
Watching the Manchester World Cup at the weekend it was interesting to see the continued success of the British Cycling programme. With great momentum from Beijing they face a whole new range of challenges over the next four years leading to London. There are many dimensions to cycling with probably the closest linked to Triathlon being the road riders who also ride track or vica verca. It is the apparent smoothness of how they appear to work both independantly with their professional teams a... Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Saturday, November 1, 2008,
In :
Education
I read this week that Simon Lessing aka Simeon Blessing has retired. A competitor and old friend somone who been succesful at all distances over a long and distinguished career. Argueably Great Britains most successful ever Triathlete. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Friday, October 31, 2008,
In :
Education
I remember watching Ben Johnmson do this 20 years ago in my hotel room in Nice on the morning of the Nice World Championships. Lane 2 is Carl Lewis and Lane 3 Linford Christie. No slouches. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Tuesday, October 28, 2008,
In :
Education
Hopefully this will help in our quest to help our Jewish community feel at home. Possibly one for the Conditioning session in the future when all else has failed eg as it appeared to have last night on the music ( I use the word loosely) front. Continue reading ...
Posted by GC on Tuesday, October 21, 2008,
In :
Education
Hobo is a term that refers to a subcultureof wandering homelesspeople,[1] particularly those who make a habit of hopping freight trains. The iconic image of a hobo is that of a downtrodden, shabbily-dressed and perhaps drunken male, one that was solidified in American cultureduring the Great Depression. Hobos are often depicted carrying a bindleand/or a sign asking for money/work/food Continue reading ...
