stamps interview-stanford coaching

I was under the impression that Stamps' career was more affected by her moped/scooter accident (breaking two bones in her leg) than by the Stanford system itself.

Martin

just for the record I find it disturbing that Stamps' job is so time-consuming that she has to go grocery shopping and do the interview at the same time -- let alone try and run close to her capability.

Speaking of passing out on her skateboard, which is what caused the injury, perhaps someone could remind me, Stamps was pretty famous for passing out in big races, right ? I seem to remember Indoor NSSC's at Reggie when Christy Nichols (or Kim Mortenson ?) took the lead and then Stamps just, well, fainted right there on the infield.

I was under the impression that injuries occur and do not heal as well when an athlete does not eat properly. This seems to affect a large portion of the top collegiate women. This is especially so when many are exposed to each other at a school that can recruit so many top athletes such as Stanford and similar programs. Not only is there a tremendous pressure to succeed and an intrinsic drive to 'do whatever it takes' that rubs off from athlete to athlete, but it can become a learned behavior as well.

Maybe she passes out so much because she doesn't eat enough. She passed out near the finish at Foot Locker cross country two years in a row I believe. If she pushes herself so hard and isn't eating enough she's going to make herself weak. On the other hand, it could be some kind of medical condition too. Who knows.

BillCarr wrote:

just for the record I find it disturbing that Stamps' job is so time-consuming that she has to go grocery shopping and do the interview at the same time -- let alone try and run close to her capability.

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Bill, I'm with you on this one. Reading that interview, I was puzzled as to how Stamps thought she was going to be able to squeeze in any time for exercise, if her job requires 12 hour days. Optimistic, or just deluded?

**just for the record I find it disturbing that Stamps' job is so time-consuming that she has to go grocery shopping and do the interview at the same time -- let alone try and run close to her capability**

Welcome to the real world - particularly that of investment banking.

i find it disturbing that people like you think there's

something wrong with working hard. there's plenty

of time for 2 hrs day of exercise on 12 hr work days.

i've done it as have many others. maybe you won't

be the best runner on this schedule, but maybe

that's not her only goal in life! what's not to be

impressed with...or are you just jealous???

A successful career in finance, accounting, law, medicine, engineering, whatever usually involves working 50-60hr weeks for a lot of your career. I worked 55-60hrs/wk for 25yrs and still managed to squeeze in about 45mi/wk during that time. I now consider myself "semi-retired" and average 40hrs/wk. Julia Stamps appears to have the right mentality to get it all done if she was grocery shopping and doing an interview at the same time. There's nothing wrong with the "work hard, play hard" philosophy.

I agree. stamps seemed excited about transition from running/school to the work experience, with no disullions about the hours involved. I didn't get a feeling she was complaining about the hours at all, just realizing that work was a priority in her life, and working out/ running would fit in around that if possible. About her grocery/shopping interviewing on a cell phone, maybe the interviewer contacted her while she was shopping, i doubt that she intentionally scheduled both at once since it was probably done on a cell phone as a casual interaction.

gecko wrote:

i find it disturbing that people like you think there's

something wrong with working hard. there's plenty

of time for 2 hrs day of exercise on 12 hr work days.

i've done it as have many others. maybe you won't

be the best runner on this schedule, but maybe

that's not her only goal in life! what's not to be

impressed with...or are you just jealous???

Plenty of time, of course! Why, working 12 hours and exercising 2 hours leaves 10 hours to eat, sleep, and live the rest of your life! Given that most, not all, people should get around 8 hours of sleep per night (or are you one of those freaks who thinks only wimps sleep more than 4 or 5?), by my math that leaves 2 hours to eat and live the rest of your life! I guess what this all means is that...your work becomes your life. No thanks. Believe me, I'm not jealous of anyone who voluntarily works 12 hr. days, not in the least. If you like it, bully for you and don't think I would try to stop you, but don't expect me to buy into it.

There's no "maybes" about it, you won't be the best runner, or even the best runner you can be, on that type of schedule. I don't begrudge Julia or anyone else their goals in life if they choose to center their goals around their profession and not around something as arbitrary as running a PR 5K. If you're going to go that route, your job better be damn satisfying, because it's going to be your life, your identity, the center of your universe.

Finally, I have past experience with a career path that ranks up there with the others in terms of demanding long hours, that is teaching. Conspicously absent from oldguy2's list of high-powered professions but make no mistake, that job requires big chunks of time. After two years of working 50-60 hour weeks and running an average of 75 minutes a day, I was fried to a crisp. The enjoyment had gone out of both my job and my running, so one had to go. I'm still running, and relishing the increased leisure time I've had since changing jobs. The difference is like night and day.

So, my type A friend, remember what's good for thee isn't always good for me. And ask yourself this: is what you do who you are? Must it be?

It is entirely possible to work 12 hours+/day and maintain a solid running schedule of 50-75 mpw. I am two years out of DI running, work on the Street and usually put in 13-14 hour days and still have opportunity to run 65/week. Like everything else real and true in this world, it is all about choices and sacrifice. What are your priorities....I know mine. Greed is good Gecko, for money, for life, and for running.

**There's no "maybes" about it, you won't be the best runner, or even the best runner you can be, on that type of schedule. I don't begrudge Julia or anyone else their goals in life if they choose to center their goals around their profession and not around something as arbitrary as running a PR 5K. If you're going to go that route, your job better be damn satisfying, because it's going to be your life, your identity, the center of your universe.**

I don't recall her mentioning that she wanted to become the best runner she can be. Maybe the best runner she can be on that schedule. Ask JAM - he does it.

I also don't think anyone on that type of schedule is looking to get 8 hours sleep. I can't recall the last single night I got 8 hours sleep. Probably in my pre teen years if then.

anyway, MA, before the thread gets off the subject, thanks for replying about the fainting. I didn't know she DNF'd at TWO Foot Lockers . . . thought it was just one. That's pretty scary -- no wonder she has other pursuits.

It's not too hard to maintain a reasonable training schedule while working 12 hrs a day. Here's mine in high-volume phase (only about 6 weeks/year), training for big cycling race:

AM

5:45 - Wake up

6:00 - Run 5 miles in Central Park

7:15 - Leave for work

PM

7:30 - Ride for 90 min

9:00 - Get drinks w/friends or watch TV, etc.

11:00 - Bed

It get's a bit tiring during the week, but just sleep a bit more on the weekend, and it balances out fine.

The point is: Working 12 hour days does not necessarly mean that work dominates your life and prevents other activities.

-kk

I think with all of her activities (running, biking, skateboarding, surfing, etc...) she simply pushes her body, PHYSICALLY, to it's limits. It's possible she doesn't eat enough with her extrenuous activity schedule that she's maintained pretty much her whole life, but it's also interesting that she mentions her hormonal problems. She's so active it's messed her up hormonally. I'm guessing she also could have low blood pressure and/or a low heart rate, which can lead to a tendency to pass out and faint.

Someone that reminds me of Julia is Shalane Flanagan, who has a tendency to "lose it" at the end.

:) jag

kohlberg wrote:

The point is: Working 12 hour days does not necessarly mean that work dominates your life and prevents other activities.

-kk

Judging from the number of replies to my screed that came flooding in all afternoon from the Type A brigade, working 12 hour days also does not prevent web-surfing and posting to message boards.

Jeezus, do you people do any work at all? Or is that 12 hours just "face time" at the office?

BTW I'm on vacation this week, else I wouldn't have seen this thread until after getting home from work during the hour or so I spend each evening web-surfing.

I think we are all missing the obvious central theme of this post:

Julia Stamps is Hot (even when she passes out).

her interview was amazing! really amazing! did i say it was amazing?

If you're working 12 hours a day that is your "life", so there is no need to plan time for "life". Anyway, one of many ways to run and work:

7:30: wake

7:45-8:15: run

8:15-9:00: shower, eat, commute to work

9:00-2:00: work

2:15-2:30: meet at university to run

2:30-3:30: run

3:30-4:00: shower, go home

4:00-5:00: eat, get ready for second part-time job

5:00-12:00: work

12:00-12:30: go home

12:30-7:30: sleep

Alan

PS-run to and from work if at all possible