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THE ANATOMY OF A MEDAL by Joe Vigil

Published by
Coach Matthew Barreau   Jan 15th 2010, 5:23pm
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One of the most compelling success stories of the Athens Olympics was the performance of the U.S. Team in the Marathon.  These outstanding performances were the result of not only exceptional talent and discipline on behalf of the athletes, but impeccable planning and application of 21st century sports science.  This article deals not only with the application of science and training methodology, but also the athlete/coach interrelationship, vital for the success in any athletic endeavor.  Although Team Running USA had two medalists in the Marathon – Deena Kastor (Bronze) and Meb Keflezighi (Silver), this article will deal with the specifics of the training progression of Deena Kastor.

            This success was not an overnight achievement.  It started 20 years ago when Deena’s involvement in age group athletics first started.  From the very beginning, she showed signs of things to come.  After winning several California state high school championships, she enrolled at the University of Arkansas.  Her collegiate career was good but not exceptional.  She earned several “All American” recognitions in both Cross Country and Track & Field, but she never won a national championship.  The outstanding talent she displayed as a high school runner was never realized in college.

            I first met Deena when she competed for the U.S. Jr. Cross Country Team in the World Championships in Aix Le Baines, France.  In our first meeting, we developed an instant mutual respect.  I learned that at the completion of her University of Arkansas studies, Deena found herself with a burning desire to continue her training.  Like most, she dreamed of one day running in the Olympics and, at the urging of her Arkansas Assistant Coach, Mylan Donley, she contacted me.  At first I was reluctant to work with her, but her persistence, hunger for high goals, and willingness to relocate to Alamosa, Colorado (7543¢ altitude) persuaded me to take her on.  Hence, a team was formed.

 

QUALITIES NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS

            I believe it was the best professional move either one of us has ever made.  Her accomplishments the last eight-ten years (1996-2005) have been spectacular.  The qualities necessary for this level of success and the progression of her physiologic profile came at a great price.

            As with all members of Team Running USA, we required that all athletes strive to:

·       Improve Personal Relationships

·       Improve Achievement Motivation

·       Improve the Quality of Their Mini and Macro Environments

·       Improve Their Athletic Maturity

·       Show Integrity to Their Value System

·       Display a Commitment to Their Mission

·       Practice Abundance by Giving Back to Their Sport and Team

If I were to operationally define the qualities an athlete must possess to be successful, Deena would epitomize those qualities.  She is a great example of mind/body autonomy working in harmony to reach set goals.  She truly believes and adheres to the principle of unending improvement and the setting and achieving of even higher goals.



Read the full article at: peakrunningperformance.com

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