Much of what many track and field coaches of speed-power athletes do has what I'd call an "Endurance bias" in that they are using training protocols and methodologies directly from or influenced by the training theory and methods of an endurance athlete. Because the physical capacities necessary for success in speed-power activities is very different than those of endurance events, this approac [...]

Here are some of my thoughts on training middle distance and distance runners. I continue to be amazed at the things that I see going on in training. We have been down this path so many times before I am amazed that the same questions are being asked and the same mistakes are repeated. In my 41 year coaching career I have been fortunate to work with some great middle distance and distance athlete [...]

Mr. Lee from the very informative speedendurance.com did a nice job providing this super rare audio clinic from the late Arthur Lydiard. I think the 3 hour talk was fantastic and was able to spend a few days after the NBA Championship to listen to it during my drive instead of hearing rants form sports radio. If you are an endurance coach in any sport it's a surprise the speed philosophy of Art [...]

As I have posted and tweeted on middle distance and distance training I have been thinking more about the lessons I have learned along the way. I want to start out by saying that I have clear bias toward the speed the power influence. From speed and power will come more efficient mechanics and optimum force into the ground. Middle distance and distance runners are not just a big heart and lungs wi [...]

From the day I started coaching I have always approached the middle distance and distance events from a speed and power perspective. Very quickly I saw that those who could run forever, but could not run fast were not going to be competitive in races. Remember the winner is the person who can maintain the highest percentage of their maximum speed for the duration of the race. If you have speed and [...]

I have always maintained the secret to running fast times is to race. This is what happened yesterday when the American record in the 10 K was broken. Just race baby, just race - If you run to win then the times will come as the competition improves.Still on an adrenalin high, Solinsky was remarkably fresh after the end of his 25-lap race. “I really didn’t come here to run a fast time,” he [...]

I have really enjoyed watching the World Championships this year. The first time in many years I have actually watched the majority of the coverage. The shots of the action have been super, unfortunately we have to listen to the endless drivel from Dwight Stones and Ato Bolden. Bolden would be OK if he would cut the verbiage down by about 75% and just let us enjoy the action. Dwight Stones is anot [...]

Track and field is all about numbers. The competition is certainly important (maybe more so) but most people are just as concerned with the numbers- the times, the distances, etc. With this in mind, I wanted to throw out some interesting factoids for you to chew on. Did you know:The average velocity of a top athlete running the 400 hurdles is higher than one running the 110 hurdles?The fastest rec [...]

You may recall sometime last winter I posted about Peter Callahan. Actually put up a picture of “Burn with Vern” that he and his teammates had drawn on the whiteboard in their weight room. Peter just graduated from Northshore Country Day School in Winnetka, Illinois and will attend Princeton University next year. That is an accomplishment in itself. The real story is that Peter is now the numb [...]

Today, May 30th, 2009 is a day Aaron Springer will remember the rest of his life. Today he was part of two relays which received medals at the Illinois State High School Track Meet in Charleston, IL and those two relays played a pivotal part in his team's 3rd place finish and a state trophy. Aaron has been posting his training log on Elitetrack since November, 10th of last year and while his e [...]