Understand and Adapt
Every runner is different. Coaches who understand this and adapt are usually more successful. The physiological demands of distance running have not changed, but how coaches approach training their teams to meet those demands varies year by year depending on the needs of the athletes. This is a common theme throughout the country. Coaches must understand and adapt to the specific needs of the events and, more importantly, to the specific needs of their athletes. Bill Bowerman was correct when he said, "If someone says, 'Hey, I ran 100 miles this week. How far did you run?' ignore him! What difference does it make? The magic is in the man, not the 100 miles." Bowerman understood that training trends were not solely responsible for success. Everything hinges on understanding the needs of the individual athlete. The overall goal is to improve the fitness of individuals by develop...
