Principles define training. Principles can lead you to personal best performances, injury prevention, and health – if they are simply applied correctly.

Historically, running has a social and coaching culture that would have you believe that very diverse methods are required to train for different events. For example, most would assume that training for the 800 meters on the track would be in complete opposition to training for a 100 mile trail run. One is 200 times longer than the other. Currently-held beliefs would tell us that these events utilize different “energy systems”, that one event is anaerobic while the other is aerobic, that one event is for those with lots of fast twitch muscle fibers while the other is only for those with a predominance of slow twitch fibers, that perhaps a specific periodization or structure of training is required, or even more commonly, that perhaps a certain number of miles of training are necessary.

These traditional methods make some assumptions that, sadly, have not stood the test of time or science.

Much of the traditional thinking assumes that the cardiovascular system is the primary limiter of performance – and thus the primary aspect to address in training. But as we’ve built a body of knowledge in the sports sciences, this has been found to not be the case. The central nervous system and neuromuscular system are the primary limiters of performance, and thus issues such as power output should define the training plan. The greater the power output (at any given distance), the faster you go.

What does this mean from a practical application?

I have coached runners of all skill levels and paces, and through a wide variety of event distances. And the one common element that links events like the 800 meters and a 100 mile run is that the training principles are the same. Yes, the same.

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$700 billion to bail out the apparent financial crisis - that is what President Bush has proposed. The bill went to the House today, and even the Republican party wouldn't back it wholeheartedly. The score? 228 to 208 against - so no passage in the House. Bush's own party wouldn't support it - so now he not only has a lousy approval rating with the voters, but apparently he also has a lousy trust rating with the House as well.

Shortly thereafter, there was a 778 point drop in the Dow stock exchange at the end of the trading day. For those who like numbers, that's $1.2 trillion dollars in market value.  

That's a lot of zeros. In fact, it's the budget for the whole Iraq war - in one day.

If you listen to the politicians, the world is about to end. Chicken Little, the sky is falling.

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The rules of sport are put into place for a reason. They are usually implemented for safety, or to decrease the liability of the event director and sanctioning body. They may be instituted to create a level playing field for all competitors. Rules are generally not made to be broken. And yes, rules ARE made to be enforced.

Perhaps this post should be entitled “An Open Letter to USA Triathlon” … or the World Triathlon Corporation, or to all of the triathletes out there that are doing events sanctioned by these bodies. Suffice it to say that in the races that I have either participated in or have viewed as a spectator, there have been plenty of instances of people “breaking the rules”. It’s not just the pros. And it’s not getting better with more and more participants in the sport – if anything, I think it’s getting worse.

The basic premise of triathlon is simple – complete the course under your own power, and without any external assistance. It’s the thrill of the competition, and the challenge that we face within ourselves. Sadly, this can get lost in the mix.

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John McCain went to bed one day convinced that the country was on a solid financial foundation. I remember him telling us so. He then arose the next day to discover that the economy is now of dire importance as we face an urgent global economic crisis. So the next day, the "New Maverick" went back to Washington to immerse himself in the "old politics" of Capital Hill during the heated discussion over Bush's proposed financial buyout plan. And suddenly, the man who told us he was against "more government" found himself creating - federal economic regulation - and more of it.

Whatever happened to multi-tasking, John?

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