adsfadsf wrote:
DC Wonk wrote:
I think the opposite was the issue with Verzbicas. Great talent, poor coaching. His parents meddled and thought they were coaches. Amazing that LV ran the times he did in HS given that running for him was part-time. I think LV was pressured into believing he was going to be the Tri superstar when it was clear he was nowhere near the level of swim and bike times to compete with the elites.
It’s just a tragic story.
Exactly what about LV's results indicate poor coaching? He is arguably the greatest high school runner the US has ever seen. The reason his running career didn't blossom is because he chose tri and then nearly crippled himself in a bike accident.
Haha- exactly. I’ve followed LRC for over 20 years. I’m noticing more and more in recent years how people’s ignorant opinions can seep into the history being told over the years. Sometimes- as at this current moment- it’s shocking how uninformed, yet confident, people are.
LV began training seriously for the triathlon around age 12. That’s 6th grade. This training, and his obvious physical gifts, is why he was an incredible aerobic beast at age 16-18 and dominated high school competition.
Kessler’s path couldn’t be more different. He just started training seriously as a junior in high school. His leg speed is also on another level from LV. That’s why its a little scary how fast he’s become so quickly.
I’ve been saying for years, and noted on the Tinman breakup thread, that starting kids doing real endurance training around 12 is the obvious key to producing these “phenoms” in high school... and was the reason Tinman gained notoriety in the first place. It’s a great BUSINESS MODEL. There’s zero magic behind it.