I believe Scannell now lives in phoenix or suburbs, and coaches some high schoolers there as well. The relationship with Grant is life long -- family friend. Grant was lucky to have somebody so capable and talented in his life; and Scannell was lucky to get to coach Grant. What a great combo.
Correct on all topics mentioned above.
Mike has coached distance @ Hamilton HS in Chandler since 2023. Led his team to the AZ state champs last fall.
Grant flies Mike up to SLC/Provo to oversee his track-specific workouts.
Mike now has Grant & Sam Gilman to lactate test whenever he flies up to UT.
Imagine going to a high school where the cross country and track distance coach is actively coaching the best long-distance runner in the U.S. What a great experience for those kids! They are lucky to be able to be trained by Scannell.
I got a chuckle just now reading Scannell's bios on the Hamilton High track and cross country pages.
This is from his list of accomplishments on the track page:
2024 Coached Hamilton to State XC Championship 2024 Coached USA Olympian Grant Fisher to Two Bronze Medals (5K & 10K)
I love how that Fisher fact is just casually listed! Then, in his cross country bio, it's amusing how his success with Fisher is presented almost as an afterthought following his impressive high school results:
In addition to Scannell’s duties at Hamilton HS, he coaches a few US Olympians including Grant Fisher; American record holder, World record holder, and two-time Bronze medalist from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
I bet nobody on the Hamilton team is questioning what Scannell tells them to do in training!
I also wonder if some parents in the Phoenix metro area are doing whatever it takes to get their kid into Hamilton so their kid can be coached by Scannell. I certainly would.
At 10:50, Scannell says, "I strictly coach three things: The breath, the blood, and the brain."
Then, he doesn't explain that statement at all. What is he talking about? Is he controlling Grant's thyroid with a remote?
Mike explained his training philosophy in one or more videos last year which can be found somewhere on YouTube.
Going from memory -- Mike, if you read this, correct any mistakes -- this simply is another way of stating his belief in lactate testing when doing threshold training as well as heart rate monitoring when doing (off track) easy and distance runs. And, focusing on the mental side of competition; i.e., Mike is always commenting on Grant's greatest strength being his brain, never doubting his ability to execute a race plan then going out and doing it.
Implicitly, the comment about "blood, breath and brain" means he does not specifically train the musculoskeletal system. In other words, rarely does Mike have his athletes train faster than VO2 max pace. Indeed, in the this video, he specifically states he has Grant training at 60 - 80% of perceived exertion.
Think of Emil Zatopek or Mihaly Igloi/coach. Then think the opposite.
You are correct. I rarely train my guys faster than VO2 max pace except for some strides after a workout.
My general explanation....The breath? Running is aerobic so the vast majority of training is done utilizing your lungs and maximizing the lung efficiency and effectiveness. Your lungs never tell you 'they're tired' so this training stimulus has to be controlled by your coaching philosophy. The blood? I believe science is the best method to determine which levels of effort, and quantity of that effort, within each workout. To accomplish this, I use a lactate analyzer and have for over 30 years. I used lactate to drive Grant's training in HS so he's well used to it. The brain, well, this is obvious. And I explained it in the video. Hope that helps.
To the person that asked about Grant's TUEs? Well, I'll list them all here for you..... ZERO. Not one. ZERO.
I also wonder if some parents in the Phoenix metro area are doing whatever it takes to get their kid into Hamilton so their kid can be coached by Scannell. I certainly would.
My understanding is that Hamilton's XC team was very small this past year. I remember Scannell saying it was 15 boys or so. It was mentioned in the context of doing team workouts at 5am year round. I bet it won't stay small for long. My kids aren't quite in HS, but if Scannell is coaching in a few years I'll do everything to convince them to go to Hamilton instead of the one they're planning on now(5 miles from Hamilton).
Most of the coaches in AZ coach right out of the 90s. Low mileage high intensity.
You are correct. I rarely train my guys faster than VO2 max pace except for some strides after a workout . . .
Hello Mike.
Much obliged for your response above. Happy to know my memory hasn't declined too much with age and that you still post on LRC from time to time.
Since this video interview was recorded back in March or April, Sam Gilman was not present, apparently still back in Dayton getting his AF WCAP "transfer" in order.
However, now that Sam is with WCAP, has moved to Park City and, presumably, is training full-time with Grant, I am curious how you structure his track workouts w/Grant.
For example, when you have a threshold session at L1 pace, does Grant run at his L1 pace and Sam at his -- or do you have Sam run with Grant or even rabbit for Grant, regardless of how high Sam's lactate spikes?
Was also interested in how GST's recent decision to whittle the 3/5 double down to just a 3000 for its final two meets might affect how you coach Grant over the next several weeks.
I think Grant is kind of boring personality wise but I do enjoy rooting for him.
It is great that he took a chance on himself and did what was going to make him happiest in the long term.
I like how his coach brought up that he is happy and how much of a role that plays in success. So many pros seem depressed
Great video snapshot into a truly great athlete and role model for sport.
Taking charge of one’s own destiny in life takes guts. From the outside looking in and putting oneself in Grants shoes when he was at Bowerman, for many, would have been enough. Not for Grant. He proved to himself, and the world of track and field, that he was right.
Thinking about your first sentence, what came to my mind was; if only there were more “boring” people like Grant Fisher… how great society would be. So many facets to that statement…
Keep up the great work Grant and coach Scannell.
I wish the US had more people in positions of role model influence who were excellent at their craft, positive, and calm. One position in particular would benefit Americans greatly if these qualities were present.
Thanks to the OP for the video. Being a US distance running fan is easy with the current crop of runners. Fisher, Neguse, Hocker, Cranny, Monson, etc are truly world class and seem to be decent human beings.
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grow up & get through it without announcing it for attention
Can you name some athletes at his level that are somehow depressed?
Noah Lyles was on antidepressants a few years ago. There is a thread that was just posted about Juliette Whitaker opening-up about depression. It’s way more common than you think, even if not every pro is talking about their struggles.
Yeah, but back in the day Rodgers, Salazar, Shorter, Porter, Virgin, Meyer, Lindsay, Rojas, Bjorkund, Malley, Sinclair, Cummings, Curp, Sayers, Eyestone, Sandoval, Hodge, Thomas, Lodwick, Wells, etc...they never had down moments???
There was no internet back then with Instagram accounts to complain that they were depressed like nowadays. Everyone has down moments in their lives. Toughen up and get through it. Looking for attention because this race or that race didn't go well is not the way to do it.
It's no more common than it was back then. You just enjoy reading about them and they love for people to hear about them....creates money.
Down vote all you want, it proves my point. There are people starving in this world, with REAL problems. Being a little down over a race---okay, sure.
Responses: Much obliged for your response above. Happy to know my memory hasn't declined too much with age and that you still post on LRC from time to time. Since this video interview was recorded back in March or April, Sam Gilman was not present, apparently still back in Dayton getting his AF WCAP "transfer" in order. However, now that Sam is with WCAP, has moved to Park City and, presumably, is training full-time with Grant, I am curious how you structure his track workouts w/Grant.
Yes, Sam is in Park City now. However, I coach individuals so Grant and Sam both have an individual plan for themselves. Sam is not a rabbit for Grant, etc., but there are days when their schedules match up and they run together. And yes, they have their own paces which are specific to the day and workout. For example, when you have a threshold session at L1 pace, does Grant run at his L1 pace and Sam at his -- or do you have Sam run with Grant or even rabbit for Grant, regardless of how high Sam's lactate spikes?
Sam is not allowed to 'spike' his lactate in workouts:). Unless that is what we're working on. But to answer specifically, Sam has his own plan and when those two can work together (like hills for example), then they run together. Was also interested in how GST's recent decision to whittle the 3/5 double down to just a 3000 for its final two meets might affect how you coach Grant over the next several weeks.
We were both surprised at this announcement when it came out a few weeks ago. Training was already set up for Philly so that didn't change. The block before LA will change based on this adjustment. Grand Slam has still been a wonderful addition to the track season and to the environment for track.
You are correct. I rarely train my guys faster than VO2 max pace except for some strides after a workout.
My general explanation....The breath? Running is aerobic so the vast majority of training is done utilizing your lungs and maximizing the lung efficiency and effectiveness. Your lungs never tell you 'they're tired' so this training stimulus has to be controlled by your coaching philosophy. The blood? I believe science is the best method to determine which levels of effort, and quantity of that effort, within each workout. To accomplish this, I use a lactate analyzer and have for over 30 years. I used lactate to drive Grant's training in HS so he's well used to it. The brain, well, this is obvious. And I explained it in the video. Hope that helps.
To the person that asked about Grant's TUEs? Well, I'll list them all here for you..... ZERO. Not one. ZERO.
Coach Scannell’s last sentence “Grant Fisher has ZERO TUE’s” seems to have gone overlooked.
That is a significant statement.
TUE’s is confidential information for anyone. No one wants to let people know if they are on medication of any form. Grant must have okayed this information to be relayed by his coach.
It is great to know. But in some way, it feels like an invasion of Grants privacy. Anyways… that should put a stop to the nonsense that jealous haters post about Grant being on TUE’s.
Coach Scannell’s last sentence “Grant Fisher has ZERO TUE’s” seems to have gone overlooked.
That is a significant statement.
TUE’s is confidential information for anyone. No one wants to let people know if they are on medication of any form. Grant must have okayed this information to be relayed by his coach.
It is great to know. But in some way, it feels like an invasion of Grants privacy. Anyways… that should put a stop to the nonsense that jealous haters post about Grant being on TUE’s.
Did you also catch Grant's comment in the deli shop that he doesn't drink coffee except on rare occasions?
Happy to hear that, as it seems every athlete leans on coffee for an energy boost before workouts and races. Unfortunately, caffeine intake does have it's risks, including loss of bone density in some individuals when consumed excessively.
Have long wondered if the never-ending reports of stress fractures/reactions in the distance running world are due to long-term daily coffee use.
No TUEs & no coffee.
Didn't think I could be more impressed by how Grant conducts himself . . . but I am.
"I've found if I'm happy, I'm running well. Not the other way around." Such a good line. Great video.
Kind of a random question, does anybody in the industry know how contracts are structured as it relates to coaching? Would I be correct in assuming for the big groups (Bowerman, ON, NAZ) the company behind each group is paying the coach and any support staff directly?
But for guys like Fisher or the Provo marathoners (or really any number of marathoners not with official groups), do their contracts with Nike or whoever include coaching/physio expenses? Or are they just given their yearly contract amount and they hire out their coaches/physio directly out of their own salaries?
You are correct. I rarely train my guys faster than VO2 max pace except for some strides after a workout.
My general explanation....The breath? Running is aerobic so the vast majority of training is done utilizing your lungs and maximizing the lung efficiency and effectiveness. Your lungs never tell you 'they're tired' so this training stimulus has to be controlled by your coaching philosophy. The blood? I believe science is the best method to determine which levels of effort, and quantity of that effort, within each workout. To accomplish this, I use a lactate analyzer and have for over 30 years. I used lactate to drive Grant's training in HS so he's well used to it. The brain, well, this is obvious. And I explained it in the video. Hope that helps.
To the person that asked about Grant's TUEs? Well, I'll list them all here for you..... ZERO. Not one. ZERO.
Thanks for answering, Coach Scannell. The video is interesting and I enjoy watching and listening to Grant.
As an aside, IMO athletes even pro runners don't listen to their bodies closely enough. I don't sense this from Grant, but other athletes who put out content sound like they guess too much, and like they struggle with injuries they should be able to avoid. A pro runner should be listening to his body like an expert. This can help maximize quality of workouts, volume, and periodization. And, they should be doing a wide variety of supplemental stretches and basic calisthenics for legs, hips, and lower back all the time. This can make their body more injury-proof. I trust your methods and you might have these covered :). I am health impaired but I still run and these are what I've learned.
Grant's closing lap and kick in the Olympic 5 & 10 were both so well-executed in traffic. Congrats to him.
If you've read this far thanks. Earnestly I say that we live in the last days, and we all sin and need a Savior from the wrath of God. What we accomplish here means nothing in eternity if we don't do it in Christ. Jesus paid the fine for our sin by giving His precious blood and His life on the cross, and He overcame sin and death for us! We must repent of our sins and believe in Him, above every other voice and idea, because the day is late and dark, and God's judgment is coming. So is His salvation for those who know Him!
The Truth is in the Bible:
"The Law of God is written on the heart of every man, with a man's conscience bearing witness to this." Romans 1
"See to it that you are not deceived." Jesus, Matthew 24
"Truly, truly I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes God who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." Jesus, John 5