There was a lot of talk in post race interviews after Nico’s win about how he fixed his mechanics and that has lead to a huge breakthrough. What did Smith do in training to fix this?
There was a lot of talk in post race interviews after Nico’s win about how he fixed his mechanics and that has lead to a huge breakthrough. What did Smith do in training to fix this?
Very hard to see any difference in Nico's mechanics. Colin Sahlman has a similar style. Personally I prefer the style of a runner like Parker Wolfe, quasi perfect form.
There was a lot of talk in post race interviews after Nico’s win about how he fixed his mechanics and that has lead to a huge breakthrough. What did Smith do in training to fix this?
Very hard to see any difference in Nico's mechanics. Colin Sahlman has a similar style. Personally I prefer the style of a runner like Parker Wolfe, quasi perfect form.
I looked at his Arcadia 8:40 video and recent ones and can’t any difference in running form. You would think that with the greatest coach in HS history, it would have fixed before arriving at NAU, anyway.
don't think it was a form thing brah, can't be attributed to one thing. consistent training brah.
It was mentioned during the 5k broadcast that Mike Smith said Young was working through a biomechanical issue last year, FWIW. I assume that’s where the thread’s premise is coming from.
Very hard to see any difference in Nico's mechanics. Colin Sahlman has a similar style. Personally I prefer the style of a runner like Parker Wolfe, quasi perfect form.
Parker Wolfe does look like he has perfect form; he doesn't seem very injury-prone (knock on wood!)
Just a guess,.as a former distance runner and coach now embracing sprint training and mechanics, is that he has talked with a sprint coach about improving front side mechanics and ankle and foot stiffness to deliver maximum rebound force from foot strike while minimizing injury risk.
Basically taking Nicos massive engine and linking it efficiently to a better biomechanical framework through plyo drills, body awareness, over speed training and other modalities. If you want to see some practical application of this, study recent video releases of Femke Bols accessory training. They convey the athleticism and discipline necessary to develop practical speed potential regardless of event.
There was a lot of talk in post race interviews after Nico’s win about how he fixed his mechanics and that has lead to a huge breakthrough. What did Smith do in training to fix this?
My guess: correct his nearly Backwards lean. He used to lean back.
He is more over his feet now. Still upright, but not leaning back. Looks more natural/ efficient.
don't think it was a form thing brah, can't be attributed to one thing. consistent training brah.
It was mentioned during the 5k broadcast that Mike Smith said Young was working through a biomechanical issue last year, FWIW. I assume that’s where the thread’s premise is coming from.
Nico mentioned it in the post race interview in the broadcast after the 3k. Mike Smith also talked about it in his interview with LetsRun.
Just a guess,.as a former distance runner and coach now embracing sprint training and mechanics, is that he has talked with a sprint coach about improving front side mechanics and ankle and foot stiffness to deliver maximum rebound force from foot strike while minimizing injury risk.
Basically taking Nicos massive engine and linking it efficiently to a better biomechanical framework through plyo drills, body awareness, over speed training and other modalities. If you want to see some practical application of this, study recent video releases of Femke Bols accessory training. They convey the athleticism and discipline necessary to develop practical speed potential regardless of event.
from the podcast talk, this sounds like the most likely answer. they talked about foot strike and power return from the ground. jg was under the impression they were focusing on this during easy runs, and not just sprinting or sprint drills.
An advantage of using the modern carbon shoes on easier runs is that they reward mid foot strike and powerful foot strike, even at easier paces. So yes, fast mechanics can be worked across the pace spectrum.Also beneficial is including low stress strides with full recovery on easier and longer runs.
Interestingly, minimalist and barefoot easy running also enhances mechanics in similar, more natural ways. Spiking up on a weekly basis included here.
The worst case is the "muddling middle" where one is just plopping along in higher heeled daily trainers, often with lazy heelstrike, i.e. the hobbyjogger grind.
Looks like he engages his hamstrings a bit less when straining
Um, stop this garbage, you don't engage or disengage a muscle, you don't activate a muscle either. Just run baby, muscles do their intended use on their own. Good god, what is happening?
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Look at the last 800 of each race and the progress. Nico is better able to shift into a sprint mode. He is putting more power down instead of just increasing cadence. A change from focus on the up swing(getting arms high and knees up) to the down swing(swinging arms down and striking the ground)
A change from focus on the up swing(getting arms high and knees up) to the down swing(swinging arms down and striking the ground)
Definitely. My major cue when sprinting is "knees come UP(and forward), hands push DOWN(and back )" to emphasize this. Creates the "gears on top of gears" feeling that Smith and Young are talking about.
From Smith's interview, I took away that Nico was previously kinda letting his feet drop during his stride, as opposed to driving them into the ground. Not super sure what that means, but the words make some kinda sense in my brain.
He also said that Nico had always had this kinda leg speed, but now he has the strength to deploy it at the end of races, which sounds like he's just saying Nico is super fit. Makes sense that a 12:57 guy could close a 13:20s race really fast.
There was a lot of talk in post race interviews after Nico’s win about how he fixed his mechanics and that has lead to a huge breakthrough. What did Smith do in training to fix this?
Very hard to see any difference in Nico's mechanics. Colin Sahlman has a similar style. Personally I prefer the style of a runner like Parker Wolfe, quasi perfect form.
Wolfe appears to be a classic overstrider, but it’s working for him.
From Smith's interview, I took away that Nico was previously kinda letting his feet drop during his stride, as opposed to driving them into the ground. Not super sure what that means, but the words make some kinda sense in my brain.
He also said that Nico had always had this kinda leg speed, but now he has the strength to deploy it at the end of races, which sounds like he's just saying Nico is super fit. Makes sense that a 12:57 guy could close a 13:20s race really fast.
Nico is just super fit. How much of a 'kick' is closing in 27/28 for the last 800m. To me a kick at this sort of level is closing in a 25 or something. A long push for home last mile sub 4 is not really a kick that we should be looking into nico is just a bad mf who is really fit