it’s scary that people pay this guy for “coaching” help as his observations demonstrate a complete lack of understanding of ironman racing.
he was surprised that people decided to catch some extra zzz’s and not arrive at the oval hours before the start? instead, he advises, “On race morning arrive with extra time to check in so you keep your stress level down.” that’s a good one – hanging around possibly the most stressed out group of people on the planet at that time is about the last place that i want to be. why does he have an issue with people who know what they are doing, drop off their stuff, get into their wetsuits and then get in the water? that should be the ideal way to do it – not leaving yourself hours of time to stand around and get even more stressed out.
“If you can’t swim a sub-60 minute 2.4 mile swim, move to the side!” where did he expect the bulk of the 2,000 swimmers to go? most people are in the 1:00-1:10 range and, no matter these people started (including the back), they were sure to get clubbed. i don’t think i talked to a single person who did the race who did NOT get beat up (that includes people who started at pretty much every possible position).
“he ideal plan would be to run as efficiently as possible. To do that, you must land more on the mid foot.” this is so stereotypical of a triathlete with zero running background trying to sound knowledgeable about running. i ran for a d1 program in college and know a lot of other people who did as well and i have never heard of a track coach dicking around with someone’s foot form. what works for some people doesn’t work for others. plenty of people have won olympic gold medals with less than perfect form (eg, michael johnson). there were a lot bigger issues with people on the run (i am thinking like going out too hard on the bike, not getting the nutrition/hydration down, or not training enough) than how their feet were hitting the ground. the fact that he felt the need to comment on something that is basically irrelevant makes you wonder if he was getting paid by the number of words he wrote.
By the way on the hitting mid-foot vs being a heel striker is exactly what ACME coaching teaches. It does make some sense. Michael Johnson is not a fair example considering he goes 100m -200m.
it’s scary that people pay this guy for “coaching” help as his observations demonstrate a complete lack of understanding of ironman racing.
he was surprised that people decided to catch some extra zzz’s and not arrive at the oval hours before the start? instead, he advises, “On race morning arrive with extra time to check in so you keep your stress level down.” that’s a good one – hanging around possibly the most stressed out group of people on the planet at that time is about the last place that i want to be. why does he have an issue with people who know what they are doing, drop off their stuff, get into their wetsuits and then get in the water? that should be the ideal way to do it – not leaving yourself hours of time to stand around and get even more stressed out.
I think you are missing the point… those that know what they are doing and arrive late… me (and a Steve Fluet athlete) do arrive late drop their stuff and go. His words of advice are for those that are less experienced and then show up late and then get themselves stressed out. Being early on your first day to work is probably good advice too… let alone your first IM.
“If you can’t swim a sub-60 minute 2.4 mile swim, move to the side!” where did he expect the bulk of the 2,000 swimmers to go? most people are in the 1:00-1:10 range and, no matter these people started (including the back), they were sure to get clubbed. i don’t think i talked to a single person who did the race who did NOT get beat up (that includes people who started at pretty much every possible position).
**Your poll is limited in scope… if you line up in front of me and you are a 1:05 swimmer I am going to frankly plow you over. And NO I am not going to be nice about it… 'tis the nature of an IM… however if you are off to a faaaar side or further in the back where a natural seeding tends to happen the likelyhood of your getting pummeled is much less. **
“he ideal plan would be to run as efficiently as possible. To do that, you must land more on the mid foot.” this is so stereotypical of a triathlete with zero running background trying to sound knowledgeable about running. i ran for a d1 program in college and know a lot of other people who did as well and i have never heard of a track coach dicking around with someone’s foot form. what works for some people doesn’t work for others. plenty of people have won olympic gold medals with less than perfect form (eg, michael johnson). there were a lot bigger issues with people on the run (i am thinking like going out too hard on the bike, not getting the nutrition/hydration down, or not training enough) than how their feet were hitting the ground. the fact that he felt the need to comment on something that is basically irrelevant makes you wonder if he was getting paid by the number of words he wrote.
Heel strike running is like driving with the brakes on… each time you stride in front of your center of gravity and center of motion and strike the ground the only thing that can result is a braking action that reverberates up through your heel and into your body… the harder the surface you are running on the more this tears you up. This why at an all concrete race like Ralph’s those with better form are in 1) better shape the next day, having had less blunt force stress placed on their legs but also in better shape at mile 12 then their heel striking competitors. The lighter you can run on your feet the better off you are.
