Nick Willis Injured - Possible Stress Fracture

Mark Misch

RE: Nick Willis Injured - Possible Stress Fracture 12/29/2006 10:16PM - in reply to timba

The post by "Timba" just came to my attention so I thought I should clarify the statement concerning my involvement with Nick's training because I certainly CAN NOT take credit for the athletic success Willis has had in the sport. Though Nick is a good friend I don't have anything to do with his training plans apart from running with him on some recovery days and long runs.

Willis has been fortunate to have been coached by some very good people during his career such as Don Dalgliesh from his school days in New Zealand and of course most recently he experieced a lot of success under Ron Warhurst from the University of Michigan, both of whom have coached several great runners over the years. From those people along with the influence of others he has carved out his training plans in recent times. Some of which is because he lives in both NZ and Michigan and is traveling to compete year around so you have to be able to make the daily adjustments on your training depending on how you feel, what's going on, where you're at, etc. No different for most folks really. You apply what your learn in the process over the years and make adjustments as needed. Pretty simple really but certainly having a sounding board like a Ron Warhurst, etc. helps a lot.

Mainly though if you knew Willis then you would know he takes responsibility for his actions so when things don't come together in a race, training, etc. then he takes it on his shoulders, but if things work out well then he is the first person to share the stage with the people who have taught him, helped him, coached him, etc. along the way like Warhurst, Dalgliesh, other athletes, his brother Steve who was a great runner and now a coach, etc.

In regards to injuries, they are part of the sport for any athlete of any talant level regardless of PR's, age, success, etc. Every serious runner or coach knows that's just part of the sport that comes with pushing your body and treading the fine line between too much and not enough. That's the way it is for anyone.

Nick's obviously a talanted runner who is serious about his running, but I'm sure that he will find the silver lining in this cloud too. Life isn't just about running and running isn't all there is in life......that said, running is a pretty good thing to enjoy though and hopefully Willis will be ready to roll by this summer in Osaka for the WC's as August is still a long ways away.

Nick make sure to enjoy your time in NZ with Todd and company, rest your leg and we'll make sure to take care of things over here in the frozen tundra until you get back. PS. Scholl is really coming a long the guitar! :)

Misch

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