Randymayes,
All I am sying is, IT DON'T MATTER if Kenyan runners or anyone else chit chat during a run or they don't. That has nothing to do with beig "serious."
One can "listen to their bodies and carry on a conversation, randymayes, just as well as you can chew gum and walk, trust me.
Yes, as different hemispheres of the brain may be
processing these two activities. Its probably also possible that your brain might be doing 10 different things at the
same time: a song you heard yesterday is playing over and
over, someone is talking to you, the body is sending back
feedback, an automobile is coming up close to you and you
sense danger, you smell foods that you are thinking about
eating when you finish the run, at the same time you are
aware that you are pushing the pace and reading the other
person's physical response, etc.
Is hodgy a cartoon character? I do not recall a runner named hodgy. It doesn't sound like a Kenyan name. Who is he?
I would like to relate this clarity business to personality, sport psychology, inner strength, and culture.
What works for Kenyans may not be what you are used to, but dont criticize them unless you understand them first. They are not into multi-tasking. They have a time for relaxing, a time for training, a time for eating, a time for deep sleeping, a time for chiggy-chiggy, a time for tea, a time for international phone calls, and a time for loud Kenyan gospel music.
If you stay focused on what you are doing you mind is not cluttered. If your mind is cluttered you may need cognitive changes. In extreme cases sport psychology. Kenyans for the most part are relying on inner strentgh, Americans are searching for inner strength to some extent.
"You're a white suburban punk. Just like me."
aaaaaah the paradox of "social sciences"
terribly anti-social, and horrifically quasi-scientific!
On the other hand if your mind is clear, you feel confident, and are in shape -the limiting factor will be the inner strentgh to bring your A game to the competition.
On the days it doesn't click, sport psychologists can usually pinpoint several categories to work on. Certain personalies, individual and cultural (collective personalities) will relate differently to competition.
Wow, sometimes putting so much energy into runnings seems childish...has anybody been studying zeropoint technology lately? I just saw an interesting video on that subject and it reminded me a bit of this whole 'clarity' business that everybody who has posted has a bit different vision of. Zeropoint has the potential for boundless energy from a limited source. I found this to be similar to how I view the physiological genius that the Kenyans display. By putting out the limited source, represented as the will in this example, the body is driven with what is approaching unlimited energy as you approach the zero point due to the mind turning off all unnecessary thought that leeches efficiency. That is why it doesn't matter whether or not you can hold a conversation at sub6:30, 5:30, or even 3:45 pace, the idea is to leave the mind clear even if it only means those turn into 6:26, 5:27, or 3:43.
I have been studying zero point training. If you are
gallowalking 3 miles per day, it is imperative that the
donut breaks come in the first mile so as not to overstress
the energy demands.
Why are we wasting all this time worrying about what the Kenyans are doing? They are going to do what they are going to do. Just get out there and train hard, stay focused and take care of the little things. There is no quick fix. Just a thought.
Randy
Hodgie-san brings a lot of long experience to the table...more than 99% of the people on this board. I suggest you check out Hodgie-san's website and check out his background/career.
Mike
I agree Bob Hodge is no slouch and probably a great guy. He just made a cheap shot about Kenyans not being able to walk and chew gum. He subsequently said he just meant something else. If he or anyone else has something beneficial to add to debunk or forward a specific theory that is the way it works. You should see how top academics rip your work. It makes you stronger just like with running.
No more estrogen laced pillow fighting. Say something intelligent or go to the runnersworld site.
Lemme think... Do I want to take advice from someone who actually successfully competed with the world's elite or from someone who studies them as an academic pursuit? hmmmm.
RM, So it's agreed you'll be taking your recondite smokescreen to Runnersworld?
Amen
Do you feel better now. Nothing has changed, the Kenyans still kick our asses on a bad day. Maybe Hodgy can answer why that is.
RandyMayes,
I've run approximately 100,000 miles over the last 35 years & talked my way through many of them.
Are you trying to tell me I could have been a better athlete, simply by keeping my mouth shut (while running)?
You better re-evaluate your theory.
I have a theory and my theory is...
Hodgy-
I have no idea what makes you tick. What works for Kenyans may not work for others. Some poster wanted to know why Kenyans do not talk why training. I asked two world class Kenyans why that is and they told me their mental mindset about training. You had a great career and probably have lots of wisdom. Perhaps you can share it with us. I apoligize if I offended you.
Randy, I would be more interested in what speed those two
Kenyans were training at, and the decision making in their
choice of races, etc. I think its pretty funny when they
say Josh is a fat guy.
RM,
No offense taken, I just do not think that this theory has any credibility.
I'm sure Kenyan athletes talk while running, when they have something to say, simple as that.