Salazar's Nike ice vests not a new idea

what about the sauna comments? how does that play in to training? and do kenyans replicate saunas by wearing full gear in hot temperatures?

I don't know about Kenyans, but Buddy Edelen, the great American marathoner of the early '60s who set a "world record" (unofficial in those days) of 2:14:28) trained in multiple sweat suits while living, working and training in England. And when he came home to run the '64 Olympic Trials on the nasty Yonkers Marathon course he got a brutally hot low 90s day. And won by 20 minutes! In 2:24:26. Sciatica set in soon after but he still managed to finish 6th, behind Abebe Bikika in the Tokyo Olympics that fall.

So you wore an ice vest or you didn't?

Not a new idea, and yet not everyone uses them.

Meb famously used one before the heat of the 2004 Olympics, and took silver. Seems completely sensible.

It's not a new idea but it's amazing how many coaches and athlete reject creative ideas, ideas that is set to maximise the smallest advantages. I think the fact Mo Farah's previous coaches never thought the fact he was physically so weak he couldn't do 10 press ups was connected to his lack of medal performances is testament to how talented sports athletes and coaches won't accept a whole variety of ideas or at least give them a fair evaluation. Despite the success of many top coaches it's amazing how many will just refuse to see the advantages of adding many small things that can result in slight improvements.

Deena Drossin & Meb used them in the Athens Olympics before the marathon. Why are people acting like this is Alberto's thing?

I recall reading about ice vests in the late 90s in either Runner's World or Running Times. We used to pack down with ice (on the upper body) between track events in high school. Definitely not a new concept. Amazing how the wheel keeps being re-invented....

I remember seeing Parker Stinson and Trevor Dunbar wearing them before the 5k at NCAA outdoor last year in Des Moines.

Nike introduced them before the 2004 Olympics but there have been a few versions around over the years.

Gainesville/Miamiguy wrote:

I don't know about Kenyans, but Buddy Edelen, the great American marathoner of the early '60s who set a "world record" (unofficial in those days) of 2:14:28) trained in multiple sweat suits while living, working and training in England. And when he came home to run the '64 Olympic Trials on the nasty Yonkers Marathon course he got a brutally hot low 90s day. And won by 20 minutes! In 2:24:26. Sciatica set in soon after but he still managed to finish 6th, behind Abebe Bikika in the Tokyo Olympics that fall.

I remember seeing Teg running in Madison several years ago getting ready for the US trials, and running in full pants and shirt when it was 85+ degree's out.

"Cooling vest worn during active warm-up improves 5-km run performance in the heat"

http://jap.physiology.org/content/96/5/1867.full

Wow i ran 2:24:10 when i won the orange Bowl Marathon in 1977. You mean i could of beat Buddy Edelen. Lol I always had a cold Hostess cup cake before a race.