new Donohue/Cook article

Sounds like 2 bitter people. I wonder how Erin went about asking? Presenting a different training plan months away to your coach should be no big deal, but asking to change the workout when your on the track pisses coaches off! I think both parties are wrong. Sounds like a control freak coach and some self-centered girls....but isn't that our sport?!

"Erin was waddling around the Nike campus 10 pounds overweight."

Classy guy.

Cook comes across as a major douche without any real respect or "warmth" for any of those women.

Donohue is just a determined athlete, perhaps somewhat unrealistically so, but... ambition and belief in herself did get her this far.

That was a little harsh, but he also said some very nice things about her too. Keep in mind he started coaching her when no one else would because he saw her training alone on a Nike track late at night. She goes from there to WC and Olympic teams under his program.

Cook always tells it like it is, whether it's pretty or not. Erin is in the spin zone now so you hear two different stories. The reason why she got to that high level was, in part, because he developed a training program for her that she responded so well to. Since her times flattened last year and Shanon and Shalane both dropped a ton, she freaked. But he was still committed to work with her and help her improve. She just created a situation at camp that wasn't productive or sustainable.

Cook acts as though he picked up three random girls off the streets and turned them into world class runners.

Essentially that is the case. All three runners had talent and had success in college but the were by no means Olympic Caliber athletes before they came to Cook. These athletes made huge strides with Cook.

Cook is just telling it like it is. May be harsh but it is reality. With Flanagan it all came down to money and after her husband filmed all of Cooks workouts they don't need ot pay him anymore. With Donahue the reality is harsh. She isn't capable of running at Shannon's level. Cook is completely right about Erin, physiologically she is not built as efficiently as Shannon. It isn't anything against Erin it is what it is. She is a bigger girl plan and simple and she is not as efficient.

Donohue is delusional. Comparing herself to Snell and Walker? That's hilarious. The only thing Cook is guilty of is telling it like it is. At the professional level, that's the way it ought to be.

They were by no means Olympic caliber? I'd dispute that. Flanagan when healthy certainly was, and I'd say Rowbury was, too.

The problem with Cook's response is that it is too absolute, even if it is true. For example, if any, and I mean any American sprinters are saying that they want to train and win the gold medal in 100-200 in London, the Cook-like, correct response is that they have no chance whatsoever given that Bolt will be running 9.5.

Somehow I doubt that any American sprint coaches will give Cook's answer, and so the US sprinters will train and dream about winning, and maybe win.Erin might do the same.

I would dispute that. Shalane was definitely capable of making an Olympic team but look at what Cook did with her. Shalane won a BRONZE MEDAL. How many Women from America has done that on the track in distance events? And Rowbury wasn't even an Olympic hopeful until Cook took her in. She went from a 4:11 to 4:00 in one year under cook.

My thoughts are that he is an idiot. He doesn't think that Donohue can run that time, he's entitled to that. But yet, he also admits that he didn't think Rowbury would run 4:00, and she did. So how on earth can he be confident in his assessment of Donohue?

Because she is a big girl and often waddles around Nike 10 pounds heavy.

donohue is a man. not a fast one, either. what do we care if (s)he can't run for Cook?

TJ wrote:

Donohue is delusional. Comparing herself to Snell and Walker? That's hilarious. The only thing Cook is guilty of is telling it like it is. At the professional level, that's the way it ought to be.

I bet $100 you'll be forced to eat those words.

"Does it matter" you are a "DOUCHE BAG" and not a very fast one either.

FREDTERP wrote:

Thoughts?

my thoughts are as follows: someone is posting in this thread under more than one name...

It's a bit sad that Erin actually believes that she can stay at that level or even improve without the special help that Cook gave her.

I'm guess Shalane maybe thinking about children so that's why she didn't want anymore special help.

Ouch!!! I think they both gave too much information. I guess it wasn't so great training in that group.

What surprises me is Gags.

until erin loses some weight, she'll always be second tier pro and look like the stereotypical dumb fat, american.

keep it up erin, keep the american legacy alive!