Blue's Natural Running blog. The 101 on Natural Running: running better, injury free and FAST!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Live to learn...
I see life as part celebration and part a series of tests, that give us the opportunity to build and reveal our character. One's purpose is a reflection of that character. Within this blog I will celebrate the beauty in the world as I see it and teach the things that I have to offer and hopefully bring something to the table. Maybe some insight, maybe an idea or technique, as a certified coach and trainer, that can help someone as needed, maybe inspiration to continue to live and maybe just brighten someone's day with an image of the setting sun. I hope to teach, as I live to learn. Welcome if you are the same...
New Olympia- a place in my mind
Welcome to a new era, today, as we honor the legacy of ancient Olympia with a new dedication to sport as a integral part of life and society. New Olympia is a worldwide movement, a state of mind, and a lifestyle where every athlete, young and old is encouraged to balance their mental, intellectual, spiritual and physical lives to such an end that we strive yet ever closer to the dream of personal perfection.
This era is defined by the millions of people toeing the line of yet another marathon, entering the cage to battle hand to hand in ultimate fighting championships, breaking world and personal records in track and field, lacing up their shoes to hit the local field for a game of football or soccer, or traveling the world thinking of new ways to push the human envelope by jumping from planes or skiing down the most treacherous slopes on earth.
As a part of New Olympia, a part of the world of athletics, we are all together in the living celebration that is sport, and that is life, and a new day in history. Tied together through time by the friendly competitions we embrace, we are all part of a community through the ages.
We are seeing a time where, even amongst the most technological advances in history, what drives and inspires us most, is stepping up to test ourselves once again in an arena of choice, to see just what we're made of.....
Welcome to New Olympia, its a pleasure to have you...
This era is defined by the millions of people toeing the line of yet another marathon, entering the cage to battle hand to hand in ultimate fighting championships, breaking world and personal records in track and field, lacing up their shoes to hit the local field for a game of football or soccer, or traveling the world thinking of new ways to push the human envelope by jumping from planes or skiing down the most treacherous slopes on earth.
As a part of New Olympia, a part of the world of athletics, we are all together in the living celebration that is sport, and that is life, and a new day in history. Tied together through time by the friendly competitions we embrace, we are all part of a community through the ages.
We are seeing a time where, even amongst the most technological advances in history, what drives and inspires us most, is stepping up to test ourselves once again in an arena of choice, to see just what we're made of.....
Welcome to New Olympia, its a pleasure to have you...
Coaching Kids!
A challenge indeed!! Its hard to keep kids engaged and focused on a task long enough to make headway. When it comes to running, the elementary years are great time to address the WAY they run so that by the time they hit the competitive years in high school and beyond, they are already practicing good technique naturally.
Most coaches fail to teach runners how to run, they simply make them run more. "Hey Billy, you're not fast because you don't run enough or you're just not a natural". That's B.S.!! Explain that to my mentor, Richard Diaz, who took an autistic kid from barely being able to walk without falling, to running, after 5 sessions, and winning a 5k race in his hometown. He also qualified for cross-country the next year by running a sub 6 minute mile. All because he was taught HOW to run. its no joke.
Now here is the trick with kids. 1. They have short attention spans 2. They have lots of energy... when they want to.
You must find a way to access the energy while keeping their focus. I have found the most effective technique is to start a session with one major point you want to get across that day. Deliver this message first thing, throughout the days training and have them recite it to you at the days end. Its always good to reward them in some way for remembering and see if they can remember it for the next training. As for the structuring of the training, the shortness of their attention provides a unique opportunity to throw a lot at them. This makes the workout a residual effect of keeping their imaginations busy. This is also key in making sure they don't hit the "kid wall", when they decide they just don't want to do it...just because! If you do your job as a trainer, then the drills and exercises you implement, will strengthen the proper muscles that will be recruited during sport performance, making them more efficient, faster, stronger, etc.
Finally the most difficult: changing imperfections in their running bio mechanics. While it may or may not be easy for the child to understand and identify your lesson and specific tips on efficient running form, it is an entirely different thing for them to actually be able to self associate and apply the techniques to themselves. Here is my answer. Run segments of the track with student, obviously watching and gauging their technique for later discussion, and periodically have the runner report to you live and in that moment ONE THING THEY ARE DOING CORRECTLY while running. For example "Billy, give me one thing.." "Coach, I am leaning forward as I run". Perfect. You have previously taught him that one technique is maintaining a slight forward lean while running. The point is to begin to create associative training, when a person engages directly in the current activity. The opposite being dissociative training which would be jogging with an ipod or music and thinking about the view. Both have their place but while learning something like bio mechanics and efficiency, we most associate before anything else can happen. By continuing this "ONE THING" question continuously over time, you will build a self awareness in the child's running. Probably the most important thing you can give to a young athlete.
Try these tips and techniques next time you coach the world's next generations of athletes. And if you have any questions or need help coaching kids you know, please don't hesitate to contact me at blue@malibumarathon.com
Most coaches fail to teach runners how to run, they simply make them run more. "Hey Billy, you're not fast because you don't run enough or you're just not a natural". That's B.S.!! Explain that to my mentor, Richard Diaz, who took an autistic kid from barely being able to walk without falling, to running, after 5 sessions, and winning a 5k race in his hometown. He also qualified for cross-country the next year by running a sub 6 minute mile. All because he was taught HOW to run. its no joke.
Now here is the trick with kids. 1. They have short attention spans 2. They have lots of energy... when they want to.
You must find a way to access the energy while keeping their focus. I have found the most effective technique is to start a session with one major point you want to get across that day. Deliver this message first thing, throughout the days training and have them recite it to you at the days end. Its always good to reward them in some way for remembering and see if they can remember it for the next training. As for the structuring of the training, the shortness of their attention provides a unique opportunity to throw a lot at them. This makes the workout a residual effect of keeping their imaginations busy. This is also key in making sure they don't hit the "kid wall", when they decide they just don't want to do it...just because! If you do your job as a trainer, then the drills and exercises you implement, will strengthen the proper muscles that will be recruited during sport performance, making them more efficient, faster, stronger, etc.
Finally the most difficult: changing imperfections in their running bio mechanics. While it may or may not be easy for the child to understand and identify your lesson and specific tips on efficient running form, it is an entirely different thing for them to actually be able to self associate and apply the techniques to themselves. Here is my answer. Run segments of the track with student, obviously watching and gauging their technique for later discussion, and periodically have the runner report to you live and in that moment ONE THING THEY ARE DOING CORRECTLY while running. For example "Billy, give me one thing.." "Coach, I am leaning forward as I run". Perfect. You have previously taught him that one technique is maintaining a slight forward lean while running. The point is to begin to create associative training, when a person engages directly in the current activity. The opposite being dissociative training which would be jogging with an ipod or music and thinking about the view. Both have their place but while learning something like bio mechanics and efficiency, we most associate before anything else can happen. By continuing this "ONE THING" question continuously over time, you will build a self awareness in the child's running. Probably the most important thing you can give to a young athlete.
Try these tips and techniques next time you coach the world's next generations of athletes. And if you have any questions or need help coaching kids you know, please don't hesitate to contact me at blue@malibumarathon.com
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Running tip #111, 987,541- HIGH KNEES!!!
I was just working with some of my elementary school age runners at the track on HIGH KNEES. This tip is important for stride length in all runners. The higher your knee comes up with each stride, the more distance you will cover with more efficiency as long as it is combined with enough forward lean. Without properly leaning into it, the running will look a lot like a high knee drill and be relatively ineffective for its intended purpose of easy, light, smooth and FAST!! But together, high knees and forward lean equal guaranteed improvements!!
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