Saturday, November 29, 2014
Friday, November 28, 2014
Ready, Aim, Fire, Then Relax in the Lounge
By JULIE TURKEWITZ from NYT U.S. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/29/us/ready-aim-fire-then-relax-in-the-lounge.html
Running for Charity? Three Common Mistakes
Spring marathon season will soon be upon us!
Holly and I will be running the Barcelona Marathon in March, and many of our friends and clients will be chasing PBs in London, Brighton, Edinburgh, Paris… the list goes on.
Many of the runners I meet at this time of year have secured charity marathon places, raising money for their chosen causes. Each one of these selfless runners is starting on their own journey, often with very emotive personal motivations.
Three Common Mistakes of the Charity Runner
At the risk of making sweeping generalisations, many of the charity runners I meet are closer to the beginner end of the spectrum than the high performance end. As such, they are possibly more susceptible to making mistakes in training and on race day that could jeopardise the outcome of their journey.
I asked Neil to put together his top three pieces of advice for such runners. Here goes…
Not Reaching the Finish…
When you’re running for a charity, it is very different than running for a personal goal; it truly is all about finishing. You’re only goal is to finish!
To that end, if you can ‘comfortably’ finish in 5 hours, but on a good day you could maybe get a 4:30 finish, then you aim to achieve the former.
One of the biggest single failure that we see in the marathon is inappropriate pacing.
So you must gain an understanding of an appropriate pace for yourself and in your training ensure you put in miles at that race pace. An appreciation for ‘race pace’ is going to be vital on the big day so make sure you work on this skill.
Leaving it Too Late to Start Training
Many popular marathons occur in the Spring, so by planning a 12 or 16 week training programme this does not leave that long to get the necessary training in.
I can assure you that you will pick up a cold in that 16 week period, and there will probably be days when life gets in the way of training, or perhaps you pick up a niggle and have to miss some sessions.
So by planning your campaign as far in advance of the event as you can gives you a much gentler ramp up and allows for these blips rather than the steep ramp that a 12 week programme would allow for.
Not including Build up Races
I would always encourage runners to enter and complete build up races. I would like to see a couple of 10km races, and perhaps a 10 mile race, and at least one half marathon in the build up.
These work on a number of levels:
They will inform you of what your potential marathon finish time is. You can use a number of online predictors to calculate this for you based on these race finish times.
They will also however allow you to apply the TESTIT maxim:
Try Everything Several Times In Training
So in these races you can wear the race kit, or fancy dress, you will wear on race day, you can test the nutrition plan that you will implement on race day and you can get used to the process that you go through on the big day so that when that ‘A’ race comes around you are conducting a procedure you have undertaken before.
Charity runners: you’re awesome! Take Neil’s advice onboard and enjoy the process.
Good luck 
Image via Julian Mason
The post Running for Charity? Three Common Mistakes appeared first on Run Coaching, Ironman and Triathlon Specialists - Kinetic Revolution.
from Run Coaching, Ironman and Triathlon Specialists - Kinetic Revolution http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KineticRev/~3/gApzvFx6_sc/
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Giving Thanks
The hardest part about giving thanks is hoping not to miss someone.
I’m thankful for my wife Cindy, my children Mark and Michaela, Bob and Diane, Carrie, all our amazing staff, friends, family, and all the amazing athletes ( and some non-athletes) that I get to work with.
If I missed you I’m sorry. I’m really thankful to be living a dream every day.
from Michael Boyle's Strengthcoach.com Blog http://strengthcoachblog.com/2014/11/27/giving-thanks/
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Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Diabetes Screening Lags in People With Hypertension
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/diabetes-screening-lags-in-people-with-hypertension/
Core Training in Spanish?
Take a look at this
http://www.josemief.com/el-mejor-entrenamiento-de-base-del-core/
from Michael Boyle's Strengthcoach.com Blog http://strengthcoachblog.com/2014/11/26/core-training-in-spanish/
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Vegetarian Thanksgiving: No-Bake Apple Pie
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/vegetarian-thanksgiving-no-bake-apple-pie/
@MarilynKaminski
What Athletes And CEOs Have In Common http://t.co/6Yeanxztdg via @forbes
http://t.co/fGs0jlWbc7
— Marilyn Kaminski (@MarilynKaminski) November 26, 2014
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Why Antioxidants Don’t Belong in Your Workout
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/why-antioxidants-dont-belong-in-your-workout/
Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Vegetable Tarts, Big and Small
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/25/vegetarian-thanksgiving-vegetable-tarts-big-and-small/
A Warning on Nutmeg
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/25/a-warning-on-nutmeg/
Vegetarian Thanksgiving: A Quinoa Stuffing
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/25/vegetarian-thanksgiving-a-quinoa-stuffing/
@MarilynKaminski
@Bteller36 great rehab by the best trainer we know @MarilynKaminski pic.twitter.com/Prk0u5sG4F
— Austin Nuessle (@anuessle12) November 24, 2014
Your Kid and Mine are Not Playing in the Pros
This is a great one.
Your Kid and Mine are Not Playing in the Pros
from Michael Boyle's Strengthcoach.com Blog http://strengthcoachblog.com/2014/11/25/your-kid-and-mine-are-not-playing-in-the-pros/
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Monday, November 24, 2014
Yogurt May Lower Diabetes Risk
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/yogurt-may-lower-diabetes-risk/
Brains of People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Offer Clues About Disorder
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/brains-of-people-with-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-offer-clues-about-disorder/
Ask Well: Can Athletes Be Vegans?
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/ask-well-can-athletes-be-vegans/
Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Pomegranate Salad
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/vegetarian-thanksgiving-pomegranate-salad/
PCOS: An Infertility Issue That Is Little Understood
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/pcos-an-infertility-issue-that-is-little-understood/
Low Vitamin D Tied to Higher Death Risk
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/low-vitamin-d-tied-to-higher-death-risk/
@MarilynKaminski
Positive thinking is the key to success in business, education, pro football, anything that you can mention. -Ron Jaworski
— Sport Quotes (@DailySportPosts) November 24, 2014
@MarilynKaminski
Some good advice for knee pain http://t.co/jW8K6TvRw5
http://t.co/fGs0jlWbc7
— Marilyn Kaminski (@MarilynKaminski) November 24, 2014
@MarilynKaminski
IMPORTANT: Don't Do Leg Extensions http://t.co/ju7vuKVaJr
http://t.co/fGs0jlWbc7
— Marilyn Kaminski (@MarilynKaminski) November 24, 2014
Are You Doing Right By Your Child?
Heres a great article from John O’Sullivan called The Tipping Point in Youth Sports. Read it and then ask yourself if you are doing the right thing for your child or simply listening to the self-professed experts. My wife and I moved our 9 year old back to town hockey from a higher level team so he could score more goals and have more fun. The “select team” was not fun and he dreaded both practice and games. This year he looks forward to everything. Don’t be afraid to admit you may have made a mistake, just correct it. I love my friend Kevin Neeld’s concept of being one of the five best players on you team. If you child ( male or female) is not one of the five best players on their team, move them down a level. Kids get engaged by success, not competition. A child who can’t find the time and space in hockey will not have fun. Let them develop at their own rate, not at yours or your neighbors. Also, encourage lots of free play and creativity. My good friend and NHL’er Scott Gomez told me once that he tells kids at camp to “never dump the puck in. Try to beat someone. Make a great move.” Scott new that at higher levels sometimes creativity is discouraged. As kids we need to encourage it.
The Tipping Point in Youth Sports
from Michael Boyle's Strengthcoach.com Blog http://strengthcoachblog.com/2014/11/24/are-you-doing-right-by-your-child/
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Saturday, November 22, 2014
@MarilynKaminski
AZ Super Bowl funds athletic trainers for HS events http://t.co/TcoOLVatKl
http://t.co/fGs0jlWbc7
— Marilyn Kaminski (@MarilynKaminski) November 22, 2014
Dealing With Knee Pain?
Want some simple advice on Dealing With Knee Pain? Click the link and see what I told Ron Kapriskie at GolfDigest.com
from Michael Boyle's Strengthcoach.com Blog http://strengthcoachblog.com/2014/11/22/dealing-with-knee-pain/
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Friday, November 21, 2014
Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Skyping the Holiday Meal
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/vegetarian-thanksgiving-skyping-the-holiday-meal/
Apples From Thanksgiving Start to Finish
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/apples-from-thanksgiving-start-to-finish/
Antibiotics During Pregnancy May Increase Child’s Obesity Risk
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/antibiotics-during-pregnancy-may-increase-childs-obesity-risk/
@MarilynKaminski
Top 5 Reasons to Stop Sitting Between Sets http://t.co/1Nyb2Xw04X
http://t.co/fGs0jlWbc7
— Marilyn Kaminski (@MarilynKaminski) November 21, 2014
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Most Heavy Drinkers Are Not Alcoholics
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/most-heavy-drinkers-are-not-alcoholics-study-finds/
Living With Cancer: Gravy Days
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/living-with-cancer-gravy-days/
Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Food Allergies and Autumn Quinoa
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/vegetarian-thanksgiving-food-allergies-and-an-autumn-quinoa/
That Medical Test Costs $50, or Is It $500?
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/that-medical-test-costs-50-or-is-it-500/
@MarilynKaminski
Water can be boring, watch this video for 3 tips on making hydration easier: http://t.co/jozpENBbRE. http://t.co/X41CZq7Uc3
Scottsdal...
— Marilyn Kaminski (@MarilynKaminski) November 20, 2014
Possibly One of the Most Simple Ways to Improve Running Form!
Here’s a super quick video I recorded today during our short break here in Cornwall…
As I’ve mentioned in previous videos, I love hill running and stair running as a means or improving running form. With the right cues, running up various inclines helps to encourage proper range of motion at the hip, and reduce the tendency to over stride.
For more information on the movement patterns we’re developing here, check out these videos / articles:
- Knee & Hip Flexion Drill for Better Running Form
- Hill Running Workouts Made Easier With One Simple Tip
The post Possibly One of the Most Simple Ways to Improve Running Form! appeared first on Run Coaching, Ironman and Triathlon Specialists - Kinetic Revolution.
from Run Coaching, Ironman and Triathlon Specialists - Kinetic Revolution http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KineticRev/~3/2V2mwu6cFFc/
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
For Teenagers, Early School Start Means More Car Crashes, Study Finds
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/for-teenagers-early-school-start-means-more-car-crashes-study-finds/
Vegetarian Thanksgiving: A Squash Main Course
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/vegetarian-thanksgiving-a-squash-main-course/
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Does Exercise Really Make Us Smarter?
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/does-exercise-really-make-us-smarter/
Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Vegan Mac N Cheez
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/vegetarian-thanksgiving-vegan-mac-n-cheez/
Monday, November 17, 2014
Obesity Is Tied to Pollutants
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/obesity-is-tied-to-pollutants/
The Best Odds for a Colon Test
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/the-best-odds-for-a-colon-test/
An Incipient Threat to Our Hearts
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/threat-to-our-hearts-nonobstructive-coronary-artery-disease/
@MarilynKaminski
AWESOME ARTICLE - texting & back pain http://t.co/IeKCSmtc2l
http://t.co/fGs0jlWbc7
— Marilyn Kaminski (@MarilynKaminski) November 17, 2014
@MarilynKaminski
SNL's skit on the concussion craze & tackling technique http://t.co/Ioo8nnKeCs
http://t.co/fGs0jlWbc7
— Marilyn Kaminski (@MarilynKaminski) November 17, 2014
35 Secrets of Brilliant Coaches- Ann Josephson
35 Secrets of Brilliant Coaches
“He’s ‘just’ a coach.”
“She’s ‘just’ a teacher.”
These are two sentences that make my blood pressure spike to the point that I get a little dizzy.
Managing approximately 70 gymnastics professionals, all of whom are teacher-coaches, I am acutely aware of the amount of training and education that these dedicated pros undergo to instruct their young athletes. The technical knowledge of the skills in combination with understanding the progressions necessary to achieve the elements safely and the rules and regulations that govern the various competitive levels fills volumes of books, hundreds of DVDs and dozens of trainings and conferences.
But that is only part of the picture.
While superior knowledge of the sport is a cornerstone of a brilliant coach, it takes so much more than content and procedural knowledge to be a brilliant coach or teacher. Simply because a person has great knowledge of the sport and a fabulous win-loss record, does not mean they are a brilliant coach.
Brilliant coaches…
1. Cherish the child over the athlete. Brilliant coaches know that being an athlete is just a small part of being a child. Brilliant coaches never do anything to advance the athlete at the risk of the child.
2. Treat their, and all other, athletes with respect. Brilliant coaches treat all of the kids in the gym, on the field, court etc. with total respect. No matter what.
3. Communicate with parents. Brilliant coaches understand that parents are not the enemy and, in fact, are an important ally in the development of the athlete.
4. Listen to their athletes concerns. Brilliant coaches don’t tune out athletes worries, fears or mentions of injury.
5. Connect before they direct. Brilliant coaches understand the importance of emotional connection. You matter. You belong. You are important to me. Not you the athlete; rather, you the person. Our most fundamental need is safety. When we feel safe we can trust and when we trust we can learn. Brilliant coaches know that this foundation of trust is essential.
6. Begin with the end in mind. Brilliant coaches keep their focus on the big picture of the goal of the athlete. They have a plan, but are flexible as they are aware the road to success is filled with twists and turns.
7. Are obsessive about fundamentals. Brilliant coaches understand the value of fundamentals as the core of all skills. The stronger the core, the more successful the athlete. Legendary basketball coach John Wooden would spend his first practice with his players instructing them how to put on socks. Correct wearing of socks prevents blisters, and feet absent of blisters can attend basketball practice.
8. Break skills into chunks. Brilliant coaches don’t simply teach a cartwheel. They break that cartwheel into several key sub-skills and instruct on those skills first before putting them together to perform the cartwheel. Brilliant coaches know that by isolating the individual elements that are woven together to achieve the skill athletes will succeed faster.
9. Embrace athletes’ struggle. Brilliant coaches understand that learning is a curve. Like muscle needs to break down before building up, athletes need to struggle to push forward. A brilliant coach doesn’t panic when this struggle happens.
10. Make the boring interesting. Brilliant coaches connect the tedious to the goal and make games out of those things that can be counted. They issue challenges and create missions. The goal is to make these dull, but necessary moments more engaging.
11. State corrections in the positive. Brilliant coaches say “do this” not “don’t’ do this.” Don’t bend your arms is less effective feedback than “push your arms straight.”
12. Find the bright spots and build from there. Brilliant coaches are aware of weaknesses and try to improve them to meet minimal standard but spend much more focus on the areas that an athlete excels. Trying to turn a strong pitcher into a better batter is less effective than trying to make him better at his curve ball.
13. Don’t try to break bad habits; rather, they build new habits. Brilliant coaches know that the most effective way to break a bad feedback loop is to replace one habit for another.
14. Give feedback in short, clear spurts that are precise and action oriented. No long speeches. John Wooden was once followed for a whole season so his motivational techniques could be studied. Wooden’s average “speech” was four sentences. Furthermore, brilliant coaches do not engage in observational coaching. (“Get your arms up.” Up where? “Your knees are bent.” Tell me how to fix that.) Concrete feedback (“Your arms need to be right behind your ears.” And “Squeeze this muscle and this muscle in your leg to make it straight.”) is given instead.
15. Are careful about how they measure success. Brilliant coaches do not use scores or win-loss records as their sole measure of success. Brilliant coaches understand that doing so can erode the long term development of the athlete. Brilliant coaches instead develop competencies for the long run, even if that means sacrificing success at the beginning of journey. If you had to choose, would you rather have your child be the strongest student in the first grade or in the twelfth grade?
16. Use the right mixture of attainable and reach goals. Brilliant coaches have zoned in on the sweet spot of challenge.
17. Keep momentum moving forward. Brilliant coaches understand that objects in motion stay in motion, so there is not a lot of waiting around time in practice.
18. Constantly are seeking continuing education. Brilliant coaches never believe they know it all or that they cannot improve themselves. Quite the opposite. Brilliant coaches read journals, articles, books and scour the internet for training ideas. They attend professional workshops and seek mentorships from other coaches.
19. Create, instead of finding, talent. Brilliant coaches appreciate natural aptitude but know that it can only take an athlete so far. Furthermore, brilliant coaches are humble enough to admit that they are not perfect at predicting success, so they just get in there and work. Finally, brilliant coaches concede that extraordinary talent is not a fair assessment of their value as a coach; rather, they measure their coaching efficacy by taking an athlete who is less gifted and helping that athlete succeed.
20. Observe intently. Brilliant coaches are always trying to figure out what makes people tick so they can better reach them.
21. Understand interpersonal relationships of the team are important. Team building and bonding is not a waste of time but an essential element for success.
22. Use imagery in coaching. Brilliant coaches paint pictures in the athletes’ minds. “Jump as high as you can,” becomes “Push the floor away from you like a rocket blasting into space and reach that rocket to the stars.”
23. Separate learning from practice. Brilliant coaches understand that practice begins after the athletes learn. As a result, they do not have athlete “practicing” something they have not yet learned so as to avoid creating bad habits. Learning takes place with close observation and direct instruction.
24. Focus the athlete on what to do, not what to avoid. Brilliant coaches tell their athletes things like “Shoulders squared and body tight” versus saying “Don’t fall.”
25. Focus on the multiple ways of learning. Brilliant coaches use auditory, visual and kinesthetic modes of teaching each skill, acknowledging that people learn differently.
26. Understand child development. Brilliant coaches have a working knowledge of the milestones of childhood and tailor their actions and expectations to meet the athletes where they are.
27. End practice before athlete is exhausted. Brilliant coaches know that bad habits and short cuts ensue when athletes are drained.
28. Give plenty of time for new skills to develop. Brilliant coaches allow at least eight weeks for athletes to learn a new skill. As the athlete progresses in the sport that time frame will actually get longer, not shorter, as the skills are increasingly complex.
29. Use positive coaching techniques. Brilliant coaches do not yell, belittle, threaten or intimidate. They do not need to bully to get results. While short term success my occur under such pressure filled environments, a brilliant coach knows that in the long run these techniques will backfire and are dangerous to the development of the child.
30. Have a growth mindset. Brilliant coaches believe that our basic skills can be developed through dedication and hard work. They reinforce this with their athletes over and over so their athletes feel motivated and are productive.
31. Know what they don’t know. Brilliant coaches are not afraid to admit that they don’t have all the answers. They do not allow their ego to prevent them from getting additional help, training or even suggesting to an athlete’s family that the athlete needs to move to a more experienced coach.
32. Educate their athletes. Brilliant coaches go beyond instructing their athletes, instead educating them in a age-appropriate ways regarding the purpose of and objective of various drills, skill sequences and conditioning circuits.
33. Have clear rules and logical consequences. Brilliant coaches do not keep their athletes guessing with respect to the standards of conduct or the result that can be expected for breeches of those standards. Rules are applied justly without shame to all athletes, including the stars.
34. Understand that fun is an essential element in training, no matter how elite an athlete becomes. The number one reason that athletes quit sports, even sports that they love and in which they are succeeding, is because they are no longer having fun. Fun is not a frivilous sentiment but is the foundation of an athletes’ healthy commitment to a sport.
35. End practice on a positive note. Brilliant coaches always find a way to seek the positive at the end of even the most awful workout. Even if it is as simple as “Tomorrow is a new day,” brilliant coaches know that both success and failure are temporary states.
It is clear that content knowledge is just the beginning of what makes a brilliant coach (or teacher). Yet, absent these other qualities, all of the knowledge in the world does not make a smart or effective coach brilliant.
What do you think? What are other characteristics of brilliant coaching?
If you found this post to be helpful, please consider tweeting, emailing, sharing on other social media or forwarding it to the brilliant coaches and teachers in your children’s lives. It will mean the world to them
from Michael Boyle's Strengthcoach.com Blog http://strengthcoachblog.com/2014/11/17/35-secrets-of-brilliant-coaches-ann-josephson/
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5 Exercises for Desk Jockeys
Amy Rushlow wrote a nice piece on Yahoo Sports called 5 Exercises That Combat Computer Bodies. Check it out.
from Michael Boyle's Strengthcoach.com Blog http://strengthcoachblog.com/2014/11/17/5-exercises-for-desk-jockeys/
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Sunday, November 16, 2014
Moving Past a Gruesome Injury
By MIKE TIERNEY from NYT Sports http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/sports/ncaabasketball/former-louisville-guard-kevin-ware-finds-a-home-at-georgia-state.html
Saturday, November 15, 2014
@MarilynKaminski
Running Injuries: Weak Hip Muscles Common Cause http://t.co/UX0MllHOkO
http://t.co/fGs0jlWbc7
— Marilyn Kaminski (@MarilynKaminski) November 15, 2014
Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Caramelized Onion and Fennel Risotto
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/15/vegetarian-thanksgiving-caramelized-onion-and-fennel-risotto/
Friday, November 14, 2014
Recipes for Health: Beans for Your Thanksgiving Table
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/recipes-for-health-beans-for-your-thanksgiving-table/
Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Really Big Beets
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/vegetarian-thanksgiving-really-big-beets/
Ask Well: How Many Eggs Can I Eat?
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/ask-well-how-many-eggs-can-i-eat/
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Firefighter Accidents Are Linked to Sleep Problems
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/firefighter-accidents-are-linked-to-sleep-problems/
Think Twice Before Choosing Knee Replacement
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/think-twice-before-choosing-knee-replacement/
When Patients Don’t Follow Up
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/when-patients-dont-follow-up/
Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Rice, Beet and Kale Salad With Cider Dressing
from Well http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/vegetarian-thanksgiving-rice-beet-and-kale-salad-with-cider-dressing/
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
@MarilynKaminski
The truth about getting a six pack http://t.co/NzzLRt76P1
http://t.co/pNDEATqRxc
— Marilyn Kaminski (@MarilynKaminski) November 13, 2014
@MarilynKaminski
tm?contentguid=HfkpeYDk
http://t.co/pNDEATqRxc
— Marilyn Kaminski (@MarilynKaminski) November 13, 2014