less valuable now wrote: Breaking 4 as a high schooler doesn't really bring the same prestige as it used to. When LV did it a few years ago, it pretty much went unnoticed outside of the small niche of serious track fans.
LV was an overage foreigner possibly on drugs.That is why no one cared. Breaking 4 is the only significant (beyond track fans) accomplishment for a high school distance runner in America.
After reading the coach's explanation here, my comment about the 3-hour marathon and mile was not a good analogy and not deserved.
BTW, I never passed judgement on the coach or his values.. I was only commenting on the original statement taken out of context. I disagree with the personal comments on this thread.
My apologies to the coach for misreading his quote and Merry Christmas too!
Not arrogant according to you? Good Lord!
scotth wrote:
skinnbones wrote:Thank you all for your assessment of who I am and what my motivations are in coaching.
I'm only writing to clarify the statement that was made about the 4:00 mile.
The question was: Is Grant Fisher a sub-4 miler? And I said 'yes. I'm a 100% certain of it. Whether he does it this year or next, he can run under 4.' My answer had NOTHING to do with running sub 4 in High School (I thank Weldon for changing my quote and adding the high school note to it) but it was simply a question regarding his 'cap' and I have confidence that he hasn't run as fast as he will....yet.
Merry Christmas,
Mike
Mike doesn't need me to defend anything he says or does so I'll let his comments above suffice. The man is very much the opposite of 'arrogan't or 'full of himself'. If anything, he's one of the more understated yet driven & passionate guys around. He parks his ego by the door on his way to work w/runners like Grant (whose dad Dan is a co-worker & former college teammate of Mike's). In all, mentors & athlete alike's feet are firmly rooted to the ground - when not in motion.
Well stated. This guy has found his golden ticket and has his "looooong term" plan in place for Grant. Hope he has convinced his parents that only he knows what's best for the kid.
The Donger wrote:
Private coaches are salesman. They take a little bit of what they know and really sell it. But that is essentially what all coaches do on some level. Does anyone know who Fisher's HS coach is supposed to be? Does he train with the HS team? Was he poached away?
Private, for pay, coaches are usually a-holes. They recruit top guys for a resume, bad mouth the coaches in place (even if they are outstanding), and try to steal the limelight. Remember it is their livelihood.
And long term plan? Is he pulling a Salazar and plan on coaching him in college? Because he is heading into the machine. A place that sub 9 and 4:05 kids quit. The plan there is to race fast now.
So... ya. Talk is nice.
The kid ran 4:02 by outkicking a 4:03 and two 4:04's from 200 meters in.
I'd like to see him go at 350 meters left, and see what happens.
Put up or ? wrote:
100% positive he can break 4:00 but we aren't going to try......
This is like some sleazy marketing thing, you can't go around saying "I can do that" but I'm not going to bc I'm too good to attempt it.
5 high schoolers have broken 4:00, am I the only one who finds this arrogant and rude? So your saying you are so good you have no doubts about breaking 4:00! Then do it! Become one of the greats! Don't forget people like Ritz, Hall, Rupp didn't even break 4:00 they were all around 4:01/4:02 still! Didn't break 4:00!
Talk is cheap and I think this coach is a complete jack@$$
Yea we get it the kid is good, clearly one of the best but still, doesn't matter how good you are talk is cheap.... I don't hear Mo Farah saying "I could totally get the 5k/10k WRs but I'm not going to set up a race.... I'm too cool to "try"
Put up or shut up!
Why post something like this? What does it achieve other than cause the people of interest to readers and running enthusiasts to not want to engage in interview or sharing of thought. An exceptional young athlete and a very fine coach that are both humble in achievement and happy in life being subjected to ignorant comment from the likes of you and others on this thread. What compels people like you?
Jeff wrote a wonderfully thoughtful article. Mike is a good person and has knowledge and understanding of training and mentoring young athletes that should be emulated. Grant... Likes to run and compete for himself and not the expectations of others. He asked me not to comment but I felt I must. I will guide him to lessen his openness to future interview and will ask the same from his coach.
Mr. Fisher, on behalf of what I hope is the majority of running enthusiasts, I apologize for the behavior of others on this board. Nearly everyone wishes only the best for Grant's coach, your son, and every other high school, collegiate, or professional runner discussed on the boards. It's only a vocal minority that has such hateful vitriol to spew against teenagers. I hope that your family and Grant's coach won't let the minority get to you too much. Have a good holiday season, and know that nearly everyone here wishes you, your family, and your friends all the best.
--a high school kid inspired by Grant Fisher
162430 wrote:
totally agree wrote:Good reference. I choose not to run.
If you aren't going to run it, you can choose not to talk about it. Talking about it is showing off.
It's like telling your family: "Oh yeah, I could easily run under 3-hours in the marathon, but don't run them because marathons are bad for you and wear you down"
That is all.
Are you actually this stupid? It is nothing like the analogy you have provided. It would be like running a 3:02 marathon and winning the national title easily, signing up for the same championship race the next year (with the sole goal of winning again) and then saying to your family: "Oh yeah, I could easily run under 3-hours in the marathon, but I might not need to."
That is all.
Did you just equate the difference between a 3:00 and 3:02 marathon with a 4:00 and 4:02 mile?
I've read a lot of immensely retarded things on this website, but... damn
But. . . wrote:
Mr. Fisher, on behalf of what I hope is the majority of running enthusiasts, I apologize for the behavior of others on this board. Nearly everyone wishes only the best for Grant's coach, your son, and every other high school, collegiate, or professional runner discussed on the boards. It's only a vocal minority that has such hateful vitriol to spew against teenagers. I hope that your family and Grant's coach won't let the minority get to you too much. Have a good holiday season, and know that nearly everyone here wishes you, your family, and your friends all the best.
--a high school kid inspired by Grant Fisher
This times 1,000,000.
Everything I've read and seen indicates that he is a great kid with a great support system. Don't let that change. I'm really sorry you, Grant, and his coach have had to deal with the lowest of the low here at LRC.
We wonder why running isn't more popular? Because we tear it down from the inside. Mr. Fisher is right, if this is the kind of reaction that an interview gets, why do them at all? It's far easier to stay silent and not get any backlash.
That being said, please keep doing what you are doing. I love the insight into your training. Good luck the rest of the year and beyond!
- a post-collegiate runner inspired by Grant Fisher
From Michigan and meant with respect...everyone knows that Scott.
This is Letsrun Scott and you're smarter than that. Look at how many posts that there are and should realize that there aren't many compared to the number of people who have read it (like me until now:))
It's probably one or two people posting that garbage because their lives are miserable.
I don't know Mike, but know more than one person who does. Honestly, they have had nothing but good things to say about him.
I saw him at the State Meet in Brooklyn and the last thing that I would ever think was that he was arrogant of full of himself.
No need for you to defend him because of your "pull" and "notoriety" on this site Scott, or simply being that you're from Michigan.
To Mike...Merry Christmas and don't take any of the garbage on this site seriously. You've done a great job as a coach for all of your runners, not just Grant.
Mr. Fisher...this is Letsrun. Sadly, there is no price to pay for an anonymous person who posts BS comments about your son, or any other runner (there have been many). I have a 16 year old son. I wouldn't like it either, but trust me, don't read this trash as sadly that's what this site has turned to years ago and the people who run it don't care. Your son is a class act, period. Congrats and Merry Christmas.
DFisher wrote:
Put up or ? wrote:100% positive he can break 4:00 but we aren't going to try......
This is like some sleazy marketing thing, you can't go around saying "I can do that" but I'm not going to bc I'm too good to attempt it.
5 high schoolers have broken 4:00, am I the only one who finds this arrogant and rude? So your saying you are so good you have no doubts about breaking 4:00! Then do it! Become one of the greats! Don't forget people like Ritz, Hall, Rupp didn't even break 4:00 they were all around 4:01/4:02 still! Didn't break 4:00!
Talk is cheap and I think this coach is a complete jack@$$
Yea we get it the kid is good, clearly one of the best but still, doesn't matter how good you are talk is cheap.... I don't hear Mo Farah saying "I could totally get the 5k/10k WRs but I'm not going to set up a race.... I'm too cool to "try"
Put up or shut up!
Why post something like this? What does it achieve other than cause the people of interest to readers and running enthusiasts to not want to engage in interview or sharing of thought. An exceptional young athlete and a very fine coach that are both humble in achievement and happy in life being subjected to ignorant comment from the likes of you and others on this thread. What compels people like you?
Jeff wrote a wonderfully thoughtful article. Mike is a good person and has knowledge and understanding of training and mentoring young athletes that should be emulated. Grant... Likes to run and compete for himself and not the expectations of others. He asked me not to comment but I felt I must. I will guide him to lessen his openness to future interview and will ask the same from his coach.
Well Stated wrote:
Well stated. This guy has found his golden ticket and has his "looooong term" plan in place for Grant. Hope he has convinced his parents that only he knows what's best for the kid.
The Donger wrote:Private coaches are salesman. They take a little bit of what they know and really sell it. But that is essentially what all coaches do on some level. Does anyone know who Fisher's HS coach is supposed to be? Does he train with the HS team? Was he poached away?
Private, for pay, coaches are usually a-holes. They recruit top guys for a resume, bad mouth the coaches in place (even if they are outstanding), and try to steal the limelight. Remember it is their livelihood.
And long term plan? Is he pulling a Salazar and plan on coaching him in college? Because he is heading into the machine. A place that sub 9 and 4:05 kids quit. The plan there is to race fast now.
So... ya. Talk is nice.
These two posts are the most stupid of any in this thread...and good lord that's saying a lot!
DFisher wrote:
Put up or ? wrote:100% positive he can break 4:00 but we aren't going to try......
This is like some sleazy marketing thing, you can't go around saying "I can do that" but I'm not going to bc I'm too good to attempt it.
5 high schoolers have broken 4:00, am I the only one who finds this arrogant and rude? So your saying you are so good you have no doubts about breaking 4:00! Then do it! Become one of the greats! Don't forget people like Ritz, Hall, Rupp didn't even break 4:00 they were all around 4:01/4:02 still! Didn't break 4:00!
Talk is cheap and I think this coach is a complete jack@$$
Yea we get it the kid is good, clearly one of the best but still, doesn't matter how good you are talk is cheap.... I don't hear Mo Farah saying "I could totally get the 5k/10k WRs but I'm not going to set up a race.... I'm too cool to "try"
Put up or shut up!
Why post something like this? What does it achieve other than cause the people of interest to readers and running enthusiasts to not want to engage in interview or sharing of thought. An exceptional young athlete and a very fine coach that are both humble in achievement and happy in life being subjected to ignorant comment from the likes of you and others on this thread. What compels people like you?
Jeff wrote a wonderfully thoughtful article. Mike is a good person and has knowledge and understanding of training and mentoring young athletes that should be emulated. Grant... Likes to run and compete for himself and not the expectations of others. He asked me not to comment but I felt I must. I will guide him to lessen his openness to future interview and will ask the same from his coach.
DFisher - Congratulations to your son, you should be very proud of his achievements on and off the track. It is disappointing that you have to put with some of the crap posted here and it saddens me to hear that GF and his coach cannot be as open in the future.
To LR posters, we should be celebrating the achievements of a kid like GF and take the opportunity to hear what his coach is doing right instead of bashing him.
Anyone can post as DFisher.
Also the comments I made on private coaches are from my observations from over 25 years in the sport. Sounds like maybe not the case with this guy but in general they are the typical personality of private trainers.
But not many post as DFisher over several months. Fisher's coach posts here, why do you think his dad his any different? Is it because he called you out? Great job ruining this. Fisher and his family are right to stay away from LRC because of trolls or idiots like you.
You can say that private coaches are bad. You can't baselessly attack someone on an anonymous message board for being one.
hope ur a troll wrote:
Did you just equate the difference between a 3:00 and 3:02 marathon with a 4:00 and 4:02 mile?
I've read a lot of immensely retarded things on this website, but... damn
The 3 hr guideline was already provided. Notice that I also used 3:02 as a potential "national championship winning time". Did this not strike you as odd? Call it 2:06 and 2:04 if it helps you comprehend. For example: Sammy Wanjiru tells his family after winning in Beijing: "I could easily run 2:04 in proper conditions." This statement would not have seemed that crazy to me.
Long term should be marketability and immediate financial return for a skill that will be gone in about 10 years. If Webb didn't break 4 he would have still been an uncoachable headcase but instead of a huge payday from Nike, he would be running for a kit and free shoes until he was 30 and then what.?
"5 high schoolers have broken 4:00"
_________________________________________________________________
You mean "4" actually!!!!
Only 4! wrote:
"5 high schoolers have broken 4:00"
_________________________________________________________________
You mean "4" actually!!!!
Is this intended as some type of slight towards LV?
Jim Ryun, Marty Liquori, Tim Danielson, Alan Webb, Lukas Verzbicas
I met GF's coach and family at Foot Locker. My athlete is one of the better boys in the US. Mike was very open about talking training and was clearly passionate about what he does. He pays meticulous attention to detail and seems incredibly organized. Confident, yes, but not arrogant. I only wish we had more time to talk- I always want to learn from other coaches who are doing things well. He even gave me some advice about an issue my athlete has and how to correct it.
As for the "professional paid private coach" thing, you all would be shocked to know how little Mike charges for his coaching services. He sure isn't getting rich by personal coaching. Too many people on this board assume the worst about everyone and everything.