Kiola Kim (did I spell it right?).
How do you say "Dancing with wolves" in the native NZ language? Or how about "Running through rolling hills"?
Kiola Kim (did I spell it right?).
How do you say "Dancing with wolves" in the native NZ language? Or how about "Running through rolling hills"?
I know you guys are all busy with this (mostly) awesome thread. I've started a new one in my local chatline. It's focus is Lydiard. Maybe I'll start a Daniels one sometime. Anyway, if you have time on your hands, feel free to check it out / contribute if you dare! Hahahaha.
Nobby, It's Kia Ora !!!
Will have that other translation in the morning !!!!!!!
The main opposition to Lydiard in Finland didn't come from runners who disagreed with his methods; indeed the loudest voice and almost Arthur´s personal bete noire, Jouko Kuha (who two years later broke the steeplechase WR) was already the "hardest working man in Finland".
It was simply that the national federation handled the situation very badly: it required the runners to sign in under an alleged foreign miracle man´s training without any real information about his methods (besides running a lot in winter) and told that those who didn't sign wouldn't be eligible for federation backing. It's no wonder that the clash was there when proud and stubborn athletes met a strong-willed man.
Damn! That "L" and "R" business... That and Japanese don't go well together. There have been many occasions Arthur laughed at me about it. He was, besides my wife, one of those people who always collected me with my Engrish...I mean, corrected me with my English.
I just had a look at your thread. You've put some good questions there and I'll be interested to see the responses. I'm guessing from his comment about having been at Arthur's funeral that "Bomber" is Mark Bomba who spent a good chunk of time in NZ.
Yep, that's him!
I have read this thread dilligently, and come to the conclusion that Lydiard is enigmatic. Confusion exists about his ideas and programs. Is that because of badly written books?
I completely reject the idea that if you do a long run, or if you do hill repeats, you are therefore a Lydiardite, because he invented that. Or, if I step out of my door and begin jogging, it's all Lydiard's influence. SHEESH!
Is it possible to summarize in 5-10 points what Lydiard proposed?
>
Skuj,
you make a good point. I do not think you can put into numbers and words the "art" part of coaching. Arthur, did in fact embrace science in his approach. But, I think only to support what he had discovered through his own use of himself as a guinea pig. Arthur's approach, as with many of the successful coaches, was to have the "artful" eye and know how to apply the science at the right times.
Many people claim to follow Arthur's lead, few have the understanding that Arthur developed. The understanding shows up in the eye of the beholder. Plus Arthur was able to motivate like no one else I have ever met. Even though I was his translator, you could see the athlete "getting" the enthusiasm as the words were absorbed. The athletes we worked with cried when Arthur announced he was leaving Venezuela. They knew they had met a very special man.
Opening a book of schedules and applying the "numbers" will not make a coach or a runner a "Lydiardite". You need to be able to go beyond the numbers to the understanding of what a runner is and must do that you develop over time and with studying the sport. Doing hills, 100 mile weeks, or 22 mile hilly runs no more makes you a "Lydiardite" than swimming in the ocean makes you a shark.
Glenn
What People Say the Lydiard Method Is:
* Running 100 miles a week
* Dividing the season into blocks
* Special hill training (Hill Circuit)
* Pogo-stick-jump-like sprint drills for distance runners
* Unique shoe-lacing system
* Actually, it is all of the above
What the Lydiard Method is NOT:
* Long Slow Distance (LSD) and no speed
* Quick and easy fix
* Magic formula
* Short-cut to the top
* One-thing-fits-all program – you have to understand the principle and apply to yourself
* “5 ways to break the world record in a month” – it does not exist!
What is the Lydiard Method?
* Perfect combination of Aerobic and Anaerobic training and to arrange all elements of training in a balanced way so you can peak on the day that requires.
* To develop sufficient stamina to maintain necessary speed over the racing distance.
Thanx Glen and Nobzilla.
Do I have permission to "transport" some of your points for that other thread?
Skuj missile (with my "new" friendly nickname, I've got to call you for something else too!):
These are directly from the PPT we showed during the old man's last lecture tour which some of you might remember (points, hopefully not the tour...I expect more people to remember the tour). The good news is; believe it or not, Lydiard liked the PPT and approved it so, if it ain't the truth, it shouldn't be too far off!
I'm cutting down the PPT, which was about 70 pages, down to about 20 and will post it at my website...soon along with a part(s) of hill training video which we also showed during the tour. I've received "What the hell are you waiting for?" inquiries in the last couple of weeks. I've got the hint, I am working on it! I will let you know so you can link to it if you want once it's done. But meanwhile, yes, of course you can copy those "points". Thank you for promoting the old man's program.
By the way, we also have PPT for more in-depth presentation purpose and it will be about 120 pages. That would be Part I and we'll have Part II and III as well.
And in case if you're wondering, we means myself, Lorraine Moller, Greg McMillan and Jonas Holdeman (U of Memphis coach) with advisory staff that includes Dick Brown, Dave Martin, Rod Dixon, Dick Quax among others; and also Glenn McCarthy just accepted it this morning as well (thanks Glenn).
Hey, look! We can keep this thread on the first page by doing this irritating stuff! Is this what "bumping" is all about?
Points copied. Thanx Nobby.
I'm motivated to discuss and demistify Lydiard. We must put him in the proper context. What did he "invent"? What has been confused? Why do so many want to kick me if I say "I'm not a Lydiardite." It's like saying "I hate the sun" or "The Beatles were crap." :) A discussion about Lydiard and his methods will be always be a worthy one.
Skuj, funny you should mention badly written books.
I have all Arthur's Books and read the early ones till I was blue in the face and still did not understynad anything.
It was running with some of the guys then meeting Arthur himself when the light began to show.
I am no literary genius but I think Garth Gilmour did the best he could in as Arthur's ideas would be hard to put into the written word. He was so dynamic when he held a clinic.( not sure I have explained myself here)
Just 2 days ago I read a review(A year old )of the latest book (His Bio) by a guy who I know has run many Waiatarua's and has a pretty good handle on Arthur's philosophies.
He felt that the book should have been the big (and last) opportunity to get Arthur's ideas really clarified.
As he said : it missed the boat. It was just a straight Bio.
Nice stuff and good to have BUT !!
Geez ! I sound a bit negative there. This thread is doing everything that claifies Arthur's ideas !!!.
Keep it going team.
Nobby I am really enjoying this and even though we now up to 28 pages : If it sells the product why not !!
Yes....a very worthy thread which has a somewhat misunderstood and mysterious subject half.
The pacific athletics thread has taken off! Kiwi Smiler has a very good handle on "the true meaning of Lydiardism." :)
What did "Lydiard" invent?
Long runs--no, others were doing it before him.
Hill training--no, others were doing that too.
I think the biggest thing is that he "put it all together in a balanced manner." He didn't like people doing nothing but long distance; he didn't like people doing nothing but intervals. He did intervals as well (though he called them "repetitions"). By the time Lydiard put them all together, even he admitted it, most of "inovative" training methods were done. "We knew all the different types of training," he said, "it's the matter of putting them all together in a balanced way."
Also, don't forget, he "invented" jogging for ordinary people. Van Aaken might have come close or earlier but it was Lydiard who really put this activity on the map. How he started the jogging activity in NZ in 1961 just has to be a legend... Hotlanta is lucky to have met with some of the original participants of that day...
I think to understand A. Lydiard, one had to have trained under him. Maybe reading his books would be easier?
Seems to me the basics are all the same.