S.l.o.g.g.e.r.

[old] Bayko · Post by **[old] Bayko** » May 10th, 2005, 1:03 pm

S.L.O.G.G.E.R. (Slow, Lazy, Old, Geriatric Git Erging Regimen) Disclaimer. This is not presented as the best way to train, or to disrespect any other ways to train. It has worked for me, and in being presented here it may give others some ideas for devising a different training program that works for them. Thefts. I have blatantly stolen from Terry O'Neill's Interactive 2,000m Training Programme, Mike Caviston's Wolverine Plan, and Paul Smith's Stop The Madness training program. Thanks guys. The pilfered pieces have been diabolically twisted to fit my own selfish needs. If these other guys look at it and think "Hey, I never suggested THAT!" they would be absolutely right. I've also included some of my own ways of doing things for which I take full responsibility. Philosophies. Having a plan is better than not having one. There can be comfort in knowing well ahead of time what the workouts are going to be. Sometimes adjustments have to be made if things aren't going right, but that is better than having to figure everything out anew each day. The best training program in the world is useless to an athlete who hates the workouts so much that they are not done. Therefore I designed a program that is intended to be hard enough to make progress while remaining "easy" enough to keep me training regularly all year round without injury or illness. Reality can sometimes lay waste to these good intentions, which is where the adjustments mentioned above come in. Coaches such as Arthur Lydiard and Bill Bowerman believed that it is better to be slightly undertrained than slighty overtrained. An undertrained athlete can do a crash program of sharpening to quickly improve off a base. An overtrained athlete often can't get back to a peak until a period of rest has been taken. Trying to avoid overtaining or underresting is important. Competition is the main goal of the training. Backing off somewhat would probably make me a healthier person, but I like racing too much to do that. If I'm going to race (and I am) I want to race as fast as practically possible. Certainly it would be foolish to train so hard as to get crippled (I gave up running after more than 30 years when that loomed as a possiblity), but training right to the edge of total disaster can produce some of the best race results and that must be taken into account. Extras For the summertime I'll be doing some running as "cross training" and to prepare to race some 5km runs held locally. That has to be taken into account in total volume of training. The Nonathlon has proven to be a good motivator for me, so I plan to incorporate the pursuit of Nonathlon scores in to the overall plan. The Regimen The basic framework is taken from The Interactive 2,000 Meter Training Programme on the C2 UK site, using the 8 workouts per week, 26 week program. Anyone doing simply that would probably reap anywhere from 95% to 110% of the benefits of my way of doing things. Modifications are then made to suit me and keep me motivated. Week-Session 1--Session 2--Session 3--Session 4--Session 5--Session 6--Session 7--Session 8 1 -----TEST ------- 2x15'UT1 --55'UT2 -----2x18'UT1 ---68'UT2 ----3x15'UT1 ---55'UT2 --- 2x15'UT1 2 -----65'UT2------2x21'UT1---72'UT2------3x16'UT1---80'UT2 ----4x13'UT1 ---72'UT2 ----3x12'UT1 3 -----76'UT2 -----3x17'UT1 --85'UT2 -----3x19'UT1 ---90'UT2 ----3x20'UT1 ---85'UT2---- 2x25'UT1 4 -----45'UT2 -----2x15'UT1 --2x6'AT -----3x12'UT1 ---2x7'AT ----3x15'UT1 ---2x10'AT ---3x12'UT2 - 5 -----65'UT2 -----2x24'UT1 --4x5'AT -----3x16'UT1 ---3x8'AT ----3x18'UT1 ---2x12'AT --3x16'UT1 6 -----76'UT2 -----2x25'UT1 --3x7'AT -----3x19'UT1 ---3x10'AT ---5x12'UT1 ---3x8'AT ---3x18'UT1 - 7 -----TEST --------2x15'UT1 --2x8'AT ----3x12'UT1 ----2x10'AT ---3x15'UT1 ---2x9'AT ---2x3'TR 8 -----65'UT2 -----3x14'UT1 --2x9'AT -----75'UT2 ------2x8' AT ---4x14'UT1 ---2x7'AT ---3x4'TR - 9 -----76'UT2 -----3x17'UT1 --3x7'AT -----90'UT2 ------4x5'TR ----4X15'UT1 ---3x8'AT-- 4x4'TR 10 ---45'UT2 -----2x15'UT1 --2x8'AT -----60'UT2 ------4x2'TR ----3x12'UT1 ---2x9'AT ---3x3'TR 11 ---65'UT2 -----3x15'UT1 --2x10'AT ---75'UT2 ------4x3'TR ----3x15'UT1 ---2x10'AT ---4x3'TR - 12 ---75'UT2 -----4x15'UT1 --3x8'AT -----90'UT2 ------4x4'TR ----4x12'UT1 ---3x10'AT ---5x4'TR 13 ---TEST --------2X15'UT1--2x8'AT -----60'UT2 ------3x1'AN ----3x15'UT1 ---2x8'AT ----4x2'TR - 14 ---65'UT2 -----3X15'UT1--2x10'AT ----75'UT2 -----4x1.5'AN --4x12'UT1 ---3x7'AT--- 6x2'TR 15 ----75'UT2 ----5x12'UT1- 3x10'AT ----90'UT2 -----6x1'AN -----5x12'UT1 ---3x10'AT ---6x4'TR 16--- 45'UT2 -----2X15'UT1 --2x9'AT -----60'UT2 -----8x45sAN --4x14'UT1 ---2x10'AT ---5x2'TR 17 ---65'UT2 -----3X15'UT1 --3x10'AT ----75'UT2 -----6x1.5'AN --3x12'UT1 ---3x8'AT ---6x3'TR 18 ---75'UT2 -----4x15'UT1 --4x8'AT -----90'UT2 -----8x1'AN----- 2x15'UT1 ---4x9'AT ---7x4'TR 19 ---TEST --------2X15'UT1-- 2x10'AT ---60'UT2 -----4x1.5'AN --3x12'UT1 ---3x8'AT ---6x2'TR 20 ---65'UT2 -----3X15'UT1 --3x12'AT ---75'UT2 -----6x1'AN ----3x15'UT1 ---3x10'AT ---7x3'TR 21 ---75'UT2 -----5x12'UT1 --5x8'AT -----90'UT2 -----8x45sAN --5x12'UT1 ---4x10'AT--- 8X4'TR 22 ---45'UT2 -----2x15'UT1 --2x10'AT ---60'UT2 -----8x1.5'AN --3x12'UT1 ---2x7'AT--- 4x2'TR 23 ---65'UT2 -----3x15'UT1- -3x8'AT ----75'UT2 -----10x45sAN --3x15'UT1 ---3x7'AT ---4x3'TR 24 ----76'UT2 ----4x15'UT1- -4x8'AT ----90'UT2 -----2(6x1')AN --4x15'UT1 ---2x10'AT ---4x4'TR 25 ---50'UT2 -----2x12'UT1 --6' AT ------40'UT2 -----2x1.5'AN --2x15'UT1-----4'TR ------2x12'UT1 26 ---OFF ---------1x15'UT1 --5'AT------ 1x3'TR -----20'UT2 -----2x2'TR -------3x45sAN ---RACE The first change I make is to start off at slower paces than the Interactive, or any other program, would call for. Rather than do a time trial, as suggested, I just start at whatever pace my UT2 has deteriorated to. Since peaking around mid-March my recovery pieces at 70% HRR have gradually slowed from around 2:02/500m pace to a current 2:07. I put that down to passing my peak and going stale. After three easy weeks of erging only every 4th day while starting up a running routine, I'll begin the 26 week program on May 22nd, intending to peak at BIRC. Starting pace will be the 2:07 that is my UT2 pace now, or slower if I've slowed down more by then. UT1 paces will be taken from the charts on the Interactive program that correspond to a 2:07 UT2. And so forth. I'll speed up the pace when I can get through a whole UT2 or UT1 workout without my heartrate exceeding the recommended high for the training band. As I regain fitness I'm confident that the paces will come down. This strategy fits with the "better to be undertrained than overtrained" theory. To those who would argue that too many things can affect heartrate, I say "Exactly." There is a school of thought that heartate is an unreliable indicator. For racing certainly, but for training I respectfully disagree. It the temperature soars and the heartrate goes with it, I assume that the heart is screaming "Yo, Idiot! It's Hot! Slow down!" And I will obey. I plan to follow my heart, so to speak. If the program calls for a 60:00 UT2 I'd rather do 60:00 at (say) 2:12 pace than to bail after only (say) 23:00 trying to hold 2:07 pace on a hot humid day. In order to fit in some running I'll have to substitute appropriately. Therefore if I do a run that seems to be in the Anaerobic Threshold territory then it will replace the AT that would have been in the Interactive. When I do one of my 5km running races it will replace a TR or AN workout in the Interactive. Thus, during the summer I won't be doing 8 erg workouts per week, but I'll be doing the equivalent. The second alteration I make is to change some workouts to standard distances or times in order to enter scores into the Nonathlon. Early on times are slow, for example a 60:00 UT2 at 2:07 pace yields a 2:07 500m, a 4:14 1000m, an 8:18 2km, etc right up to a 14,175 60:00 that can be entered and scored. A UT1 workout of 2 X 18:00 yields faster times for 500m through 2km. As the season progresses I'll target my worst score and try to beat it by 1 sec/500m pace. I like measurable progress and this satisfies some desire to see results regularly as my Nonathlon points gradually pile up. Later, when my scores get challenging I might change a workout from 2 X 18:00 UT1 to a 5km and 6km at UT1 pace. Or change a 3 X 8:00 AT to 3 X 2km, if I need something at that pace in order to improve my Nonathlon score. Three years ago I was in top form in May and did 8 PB's that put me near the top of the Nonathlon. Then I passed my peak and slowed through the summer. Unfortunately I had established scores that I couldn't match until ten months later. I'd blown my wad early! The Nonathlon was not as much fun that year. Since then I've purposely started with modest marks that I intend to gradually and methodically improve as the year progresses. Regular minor improvements help to keep me motivated. As with the running I'll try to keep the percentages of workouts in the appropriate bands where they are supposed to be, even though substitutions are being made. As far as brute strength goes, I'm probably the weakest erger on the face of the earth. That is likely what has caused my multiple injuries of the upper back/back ligaments/intercostals/shoulders. Well, that and lousy technique. Knowing me, it is unlikely that I will stick to a strength training program. I've tried and quit at that several times in the past, even knowing that it would do me good. This harkens back to my philosophy regarding good training programs being useless to someone who hates them. My lame attempt to circumvent serious weight lifting has been to add some chinups and pushups to my twice daily back stretches that I do during slow periods at work. I'm currently at six chinups and six pushups twice daily, and trying to add one rep per set per month. While it will never alter my physique into something that makes the babes (including my wife) swoon, if it keeps me stroking I'll be satisfied. Wimpy as it is, I think that it has helped me to get through 12 straight months now without a back injury. That is the longest yet during my five and a half years of erging. Related to the lack of strength, and continuing with my tinkering of the Interactive, I've worked S10MPS into the mix. I'm a believer in Paul Smith's method of keeping ratio in check and measuring progress in training without trading rate for pace. An additional benefit for me is that I avoid some of the heavy loaded slow stroke rates of UT2, UT1, Level 4, etc. I have felt that low stroke rates have contributed to some of my back problems. Technique at those slow stroke rates surely enters into my problems too, but until I get face-to-face coaching on a regular basis I'm probably stuck with what I've got, improved somewhat by erging strapless. So while UT2 can be as low as 16spm up to 22spm depending on where you read about it, for me UT2 is a maximum of 70% HRR S10MPS. Starting out at 2:07 for UT2 will mean 23-24spm. If I eventually get down to 2:00 it will be at 25spm. Likewise, a UT1 at 2:00 will be 25spm. It that improves to 1:56 I'll do it at 26spm. A 1:51 AT workout will be done at about 27spm. And so forth. This strategy worked for me this past year down to 1:53.2 pace for 30:00 before I had to give in and trade a little rate for pace. In fact I nearly did a 10km PB S10MPS, but it turned out to be too much to ask. A couple of days later I strapped in and got the PB at about 9.7mps. That was considerably better than I had done the year before, and the hope for this year is that I can push it out a bit farther yet. In the past I've also used the online rankings as a motivational tool. Given the current ill-will though I may take my own advice and settle for my own logbook and the Nonathlon instead of fueling the controversy. Perhaps in time it will turn out to be as much of a non-issue as the change from the old forum to the new forum has been. Until then I seem to have made myself a personna non grata in that arena. This Regimen worked last year more than adequately in that I managed to get new PB's at all ten ranking pieces. While it may be too much to ask to do that again this year, I start optimistically with that as a goal. I look to Roger Prowse of the UK who was still getting faster when he was my age, and hope that I can follow his fine example. Last year I erged a total of 4 million meters exactly. That was planned at the start of the season and required me to do the maths on April 30th and program in 23,665 meters for my final workout of the year. It felt good to accomplish a goal that had been set a year earlier. This year I hope to add about 10% to that, although I don't want to be so enamored with volume that I compromise the intensity of the fastest workouts. As stated in the Wolverine Plan, the fastest workouts are the backbone of the Plan and all the other workouts and strength training and nutrition and sleep are just the foundation for making the TR, AN, Level 1 workouts (and later the races) possible. While I don't expect anyone but me to follow this Regimen, I hope that it has provided some ideas for creating one's own plan. Good luck to us all in Ranking Year 2006! Rick

[old] PaulS · Post by **[old] PaulS** » May 10th, 2005, 2:01 pm

Well Done!

[old] neilb · Post by **[old] neilb** » May 10th, 2005, 3:20 pm

Rick, You may question your technique but for me your timing is spot on. I have set myself the next 2 weeks to think about and determine my training for the medium term (next 12 months) and this excellent and very personal summary is just what I need to help me achieve this. I may not adopt all (or any) of the detail but your overall approach and very candid appraisal of strengths and weaknesses is a god example to follow. Thanks for taking the time and trouble to share this. Neil

[old] neilb · Post by **[old] neilb** » May 10th, 2005, 3:22 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(neilb @ May 10 2005, 02:20 PM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>is a god example to follow. Neil </td></tr></table> Typing error not freudian slip

[old] Bayko · Post by **[old] Bayko** » May 11th, 2005, 5:56 am

Thanks Paul. And thanks for all the ideas you've provided on the forum to help me devise my own plan. Neil, sometimes when my wife says "Oh God!" or "O My God!" I calmly tell her"No dear, I'm just an ordinary man." It doesn't aways go over too well. Rick

[old] c2jonw · Post by **[old] c2jonw** » May 11th, 2005, 7:16 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Neil, sometimes when my wife says "Oh God!" or "O My God!" I calmly tell her"No dear, I'm just an ordinary man." It doesn't aways go over too well. </td></tr></table> And did you hear about the agnostic, dyslectic insomniac that stayed up all night wondering if there was a Dog........

[old] roadrunner · Post by **[old] roadrunner** » May 11th, 2005, 8:43 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(c2jonw @ May 11 2005, 06:16 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Neil, sometimes when my wife says "Oh God!" or "O My God!" I calmly tell her"No dear, I'm just an ordinary man." It doesn't aways go over too well. </td></tr></table> And did you hear about the agnostic, dyslectic insomniac that stayed up all night wondering if there was a Dog........ </td></tr></table> That there last post is discrimination of the first order against su dyslexia surferers. RR DNA(National Dyslexic Association)

[old] Mike Caviston · Post by **[old] Mike Caviston** » May 11th, 2005, 1:13 pm

Rick, What’s all this, then? A thread under the “Training” heading actually devoted to training? You realize this is doomed and destined to fail? (Sigh.) I wish more people would analyze their training methods so completely. I rarely do more than quickly skim the “What Training Have You Done Today?” threads because they primarily exist as a string of random and isolated examples taken out of context. It would be more instructive to see discussions that deal with controlled manipulation of training variables like volume, intensity, frequency, etc. It is very difficult to isolate variables with clinical precision but I continually make subtle adjustments in things like total meters, order of workouts, format (e.g., 8 x 500m vs. 4 x 1K), pacing strategies, warm-up routines, etc. Then I note the results and compare them to past performances and decide if my changes were a step in the right direction or a false start. My basic training program has been intact for years, but I’ve also made a number of useful tweaks and adjustments and if the me of today could communicate with the me of 15 years ago I’d have a number of useful tips and suggestions. Anyway, I’d just like to put it out there to encourage people to relate experiences like “Last year I made this crucial change in my training with the following results…” Since Training Plans are pretty much my business, here are a few things to think about that people might consider as they prepare for another season: 1) “Training” is distinct from “getting some exercise”. The latter is done to maintain general health and fitness but the former is done with the explicit goal of improving performance in a specific sport or event. Training and exercise have a lot in common but the criteria for training are more stringent. 2) Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. And yet so many people put no thought into their daily workouts and jump randomly from one thing to the next. Or blindly take up challenges from others. Or endlessly repeat their favorite workouts to the exclusion of other needs. A Training Plan needs to be a detailed, coherent set of instructions for achieving the desired physiological, neurological, and psychological adaptations required for success in the chosen sport or event. Desirable adjectives for a Training Plan that come to mind include organized, structured, systematic, balanced, comprehensive. And of course terms like effective and safe. I’m sure I could list many more. 3) Training should be goal-oriented, so set a clearly defined goal. And be realistic. Vague or unattainable goals aren’t very useful. Some goals of people I’ve worked with include “Win a hammer”, “Be faster than last year”, “Be faster than [insert team or opponent here]”, “Be in the top 10% for my age/weight/gender”, etc. For some of us, the goal has become “Be slower than last year by only a small amount.” 4) If you have more than one goal, prioritize. Few athletes are extraordinary enough to win EVERY race or to perform at a peak for an extended period. If you want to win BIRC, for example, don’t try to peak for every regional race as well. A major challenge to my training for the past couple seasons has been to figure out how to get fast enough to qualify for the USIRT in October, race in Europe in December, and still try to retain some speed by the time February and the CRASH-Bs roll around. 5) Once the goal is set, COMMIT to it and plan the training to achieve that goal. But remember that nothing is free. The more lofty the goal, the more you’re going to have to pay. One of the more frustrating aspects of what I do is “bargaining” with people who say they want to reach a certain level of performance but are unwilling to do the necessary work. Joe Paterno said something like “Everybody wants to win, but few are willing to PREPARE to win.” 6) Keep records of training. Review them. Learn from them. I am amazed at how many athletes I know that consider a training journal to be too much bother. But you know what they say about history and those who are doomed to repeat it. I guess that’s enough for now. Anyway, Rick, keep up the good work and keep on S.L.O.G.G.E.R.ing! Mike Caviston

[old] Byron Drachman · Post by **[old] Byron Drachman** » May 11th, 2005, 7:38 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Until then I seem to have made myself a personna non grata in that arena. </td></tr></table> Hi Rick, Not at all. I thought that thread was very interesting, and most people presented their arguments, on either side, skillfully and with good nature. That's a nice summary of your training methods and I think Mike put it nicely when he points out that training and getting exercise are not the same. I also do "cross training" and I'm not even sure what my main event is among cycling, rowing on wheels on my beloved Irish Mail, and the ergometer. I was also following a slightly modified version of the interactive 2k training program, but lately I've been doing the Xeno Muller DVD workouts, which are great fun. Byron

[old] JaneW. · Post by **[old] JaneW.** » May 11th, 2005, 7:40 pm

Dear Coach Caviston, You're a well known man on this forum so I'll respect you on your stance on athletic training but some of the points you make about people and especially those who log in "What training have you done lately" seems negative and non supportive of people who genuinely log in their workouts on a daily basis. Those of us who learn a sport as adults go through a learning curve where mistakes are made and we then form an elementary basis of our training. The road to achieving one's athletic potential is not only one path. What you have suggested are useful tools and I appreciate them but I don't like your tone of voice. For myself, I log in my workouts because I feel proud of what I have accomplished for the day and want to meet others and gain support. Many of us train alone and when I see others who log in their workouts ( although you deem it insignificant perhaps), I feel motivated by them. Also, helping a person to become aware of their body can be difficult and require a lot of time spent on the acutual movement of the sport. Some people take longer to adapt to a sport than others. Yes, planning is important but so is emotional support and having a kind, understanding coach to talk to. There is a difference between competitive athletes and recreational ones. I know you are trying to make this distinction. I am unsure if you are criticizing some people's actions on the forum without actually talking with them individually and seeing if they do have strategies and areas where they are struggling. I fully appreciate eveyone's endeavor on this forum and accept where they are in their athletic endeavors. Do you? Jane

[old] Mike Caviston · Post by **[old] Mike Caviston** » May 11th, 2005, 9:32 pm

Dear JaneW., You are a prime example of why I have been reluctant to become involved in the forum. You have chosen to interpret my simple observation that I don’t devote much time to a particular thread as an insult and you tell me you don’t like my “tone of voice”. I ask you, did I claim that you or anyone was some sort of loser or lowlife if they do post their training? Did I try to bully anyone into accepting my views, or did I merely list some points “that people might consider”? You say “I am unsure if you are criticizing some people's actions on the forum”. Rest assured that if I were being critical of someone I wouldn’t be so subtle. I would call them by name and be clear about my reasons. Actually, I have been hoping to avoid confrontation and simply share some of my knowledge and experience with others who might benefit. But life is too short, I don’t need the aggravation, and I’m sure the rowing community can get along just fine without me. Mike Caviston

[old] TomR/the elder · Post by **[old] TomR/the elder** » May 11th, 2005, 9:38 pm

Great post, Rick. I am trying to construct a training regimen based on Mel Harbor's "gold medal" paces. For me a "gold" would be getting back to 6.59+, which I managed only once. Mel's paces are considerably slow than the Interactive's, which gives me a comfortable starting point as I try and get back to being able to do a reasonable 2k. Unlike you, I am doing a fair amount of low-rate training, at more than 10 MPS, but the paces are glacial, so I don't feel strain. Awhile back I tried some Level 4 work. I think Caviston must possess a diesel engine. I definitely do not. That Level 4 stuff was simply punishing. Like you, I find heart rate a useful training tool. I got away from it for awhile, and ended up tired and pained--overtrained, I expect. As a result of that experience, I am currently pushing myself no more than couple of times a week. Pushing means anything faster than UT 2. At 59, I simply can't go hard often. I hope you're right about being able to sharpen as race day approaches, because I can only sustain training at dull paces. Despite that, I'll target some Nonathon times as various distances. I fear PBs may be a memory. I suppose I should be thankful I can still remember. As for my ultimate goal, it is to go as fast as any little guy who is my age. You are a mere youth, so feel free to go as fast as you wish. Tom

[old] JaneW. · Post by **[old] JaneW.** » May 11th, 2005, 9:50 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(Mike Caviston @ May 11 2005, 06:32 PM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Dear JaneW., You are a prime example of why I have been reluctant to become involved in the forum. You have chosen to interpret my simple observation that I don’t devote much time to a particular thread as an insult and you tell me you don’t like my “tone of voice”. I ask you, did I claim that you or anyone was some sort of loser or lowlife if they do post their training? Did I try to bully anyone into accepting my views, or did I merely list some points “that people might consider”? You say “I am unsure if you are criticizing some people's actions on the forum”. Rest assured that if I were being critical of someone I wouldn’t be so subtle. I would call them by name and be clear about my reasons. Actually, I have been hoping to avoid confrontation and simply share some of my knowledge and experience with others who might benefit. But life is too short, I don’t need the aggravation, and I’m sure the rowing community can get along just fine without me. Mike Caviston </td></tr></table> No, I don't want to be your example and I've no desire to argue with you either. I call it like I see it and if you've desire to discuss my misinterpretation off the forum, then I am open to it. My only apology is to have caused an inconvenience when stating my viewpoint. I am also not the type to take sides either. Jane

[old] TomR/the elder · Post by **[old] TomR/the elder** » May 11th, 2005, 9:59 pm

Mike-- Would you offer your list of, say, the five best tweaks in your training regimen during the past 15 years? Perhaps you could also venture an explanation of why you think they worked. I know I should plan the work and then work the plan, but for someone like me going nowhere slowly, part of the fun is tinkering w/ the plan. Tom

[old] Dickie · Post by **[old] Dickie** » May 11th, 2005, 10:39 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(JaneW. @ May 11 2005, 07:40 PM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Dear Coach Caviston, You're a well known man on this forum so I'll respect you on your stance on athletic training but some of the points you make about people and especially those who log in "What training have you done lately" seems negative and non supportive of people who genuinely log in their workouts on a daily basis. Those of us who learn a sport as adults go through a learning curve where mistakes are made and we then form an elementary basis of our training. The road to achieving one's athletic potential is not only one path. What you have suggested are useful tools and I appreciate them but I don't like your tone of voice. For myself, I log in my workouts because I feel proud of what I have accomplished for the day and want to meet others and gain support. Many of us train alone and when I see others who log in their workouts ( although you deem it insignificant perhaps), I feel motivated by them. Also, helping a person to become aware of their body can be difficult and require a lot of time spent on the acutual movement of the sport. Some people take longer to adapt to a sport than others. Yes, planning is important but so is emotional support and having a kind, understanding coach to talk to. There is a difference between competitive athletes and recreational ones. I know you are trying to make this distinction. I am unsure if you are criticizing some people's actions on the forum without actually talking with them individually and seeing if they do have strategies and areas where they are struggling. I fully appreciate eveyone's endeavor on this forum and accept where they are in their athletic endeavors. Do you? Jane </td></tr></table> Hey Jane, Were you beaten as a child? What prompted this vitriol? Mike merely stated the obvious, the posts under the "What Training Have You Done Today" are "a string of random and isolated examples taken out of context", they do not resemble any training plan at all, competitive or recreational. This is a statement of fact not a judgement of you or anyone else. This is not to say that you or anyone else does not have a plan, but it does say that if you are using a plan, it is not made evident by the posts. Take a couple of chill pills and listen to what Mike has to say. he is an accomplished coach and World Record Holder. Don't Leave us Mike, you're to valuable a resource.