Anyone run for Joe and or know details about his training plans? What can we learn from him?
Anyone run for Joe and or know details about his training plans? What can we learn from him?
An incredibly inspirational man. PhD in physiology and numerous "rags to riches" runners. Of course, Porter would have to be his headliner before Drossin. Very big on preseason mileage. Program somewhat similar to Arkansas in terms of training- relatively high mileage- mile repeats (distance stratified for Alamosa's altitude), 400m intervals late in the season. Again, an extremely quality fellow. Stay away from the mile repeat park in Alamosa if you don't want to puke.
You mean to say "Stay away from the 1500 meter repeat park in Alamosa if you don't want to puke"
Joe Vigil Training Phases:
a. Restorative/Transition
2 weeks
All athletes must be well rested, injury and disease free before undertaking a difficult training program to compete in a marathon distance.
b. Aerobic Period
4 weeks
Volume runs where the athlete should achieve close to the maximum distance in kms or miles per week.
c. Strength Endurance
4 weeks
Tempo cross country runs, hill training and repetition running are practiced.
d. Specific Endurance
4-6 weeks
Volume runs, specific pace and race pace running are implemented.
e. Final Preparation
2-3 weeks
Racing speed and reduced volume are practiced together with real concentration on diet.
Joe Vigil Microcycle during the heavy volume week 120-140 miles:
Sunday- AM: 24-27 miles Medium Continuous Run
Monday- AM: 12 miles Easy Continuous Run
PM: 8 miles ECR
Tuesday- AM: 8 miles MCR, hill training undulating terrain
PM: 7 miles MCR 6 strides (150 meters) on grass
Wednesday- AM: 15 miles 12 kms at race pace Fast Continuous Run (FCR)
PM: 7 miles ECR
Thursday- AM: 12 miles ECR
PM: 6 x 1 mile 15 sec. faster than race pace 3 min interval between miles
Friday- AM: 10 miles First 3 miles- 5:50/mile middle 4 miles- 5:30/mile last 3 miles- 5:20/mile
PM: 10 miles ECR
Saturday- AM: 14 miles ECR
PM: 6 miles ECR
I disagree with inspirational. In my experiences with him I found him smooth and somewhat phony. One of those people who feel a little too fake. Not arguing with whatever his protagonists believe to be his strengths in coaching but there is no doubt he is an operator.
You trained under him and found that? Definetly not.
Didn't say I trained under him. Encounters with him otherwise. He sells himself like nobody else and I don't care for his "advice from the Mount" self image/story. He just seems phony to me and something akin to a snake oil salesman.
Dude, you must not have spent much time with the man. I think the problem most people have with him is that he doesn't accept excuses. Either do things the right way or don't bother.
His teams at Adams State were pretty damn good with some guys who were pretty damn average out of HS. I know he got a few pretty good ones also, but he had a lot more "projects" than sure-fires state champs. They had success because they believed in him and he refused to let them sell themselves short.
He speaks his mind about training whether you like it or not and he believes 100% in what he is saying. And, he doesn't suffer fools for too long.
Get his book "A Road To The Top" Excellent book. It is actually written as a textbook for a class. There are questions at the end of each chapter that really help you understand the material in the chapter.
I heard him speak at a clinic in Atlantic City and I was sold on his plan. I had great success with my HS XC teams using his plan!
Is Joe's book "A Road To The Top" still in print? I would like to buy it.
Looks like amazon.com may have copies
Thanks. Is there any toll-free number for Amazon.com? I have tried to order through them before and they continually send the books to my original address, even though I have changed the address in my file.
Measurement Man- yes. I'll buy that. Of course, after 6 times whatever it is, is enough!
One of the coolest running photos I remember seeing was his late 80's squad winning nationals with a perfect score. All five of them abrest. Anyone know if there is a web link to the photo? Bad boys bad boys what you gonna do? I met Vigil and was hoping to run for his squad, but couldn't hang with his summer prep program-got injured. Wish I'd had the chance though. No matter what you say about the guy, he was successful and produced some great runners/squads. He was legondary.
how could he run... with all that milk on his leg.
Coach Vigil never made any pretenses that it was a mile. My first visit to Alamosa he told me it was measured out to be about 5-6 seconds slower than one mile so a comparable time for a sea level effort could be used to gauge improvement.
Vigil doesn't need to fool anyone.