Netters
Paul wrote:
> I'd say it is more like
> pooling all running talent currently in the 3K Steeple,
> 5K, 10K, and marathon. And really, you see quite a lot
> of crossover in running between those 4 events already.
Add 1500 there too - Michelle was a former 1500m runner. Also at
the Olympics there tends to be little cross over doubling.
And you are right Paul, I did not mean to include the sprint events,
although it has been my experience the the athletes who learn the
technique the fastest are hurdlers, and throwers. Not that they
make the best walkers but they do learn it quicker then a typical
10k marathon guy. The required skills are just that different.
> Given the number of people actively participating in
> race walking, I'd say adding more race walking distances
> to choose from would really dilute the fields of each.
Absolutely agree with you here. I surely did not mean to intimate
that in anyway. What i was trying to say is that within walking you
have athletes that are better 5-10k and some that are better at 30k
(comparable to marathon) and some that are better at the 100k.
But all those talents get lumped into 2 events which does make it
highly competitive. Frankly, in my coaching experience the 20k is a
particularly tricky to prepare for and race. Most of the body of
knowledge that comes from elite running is based on 10k (26-
29mins) Half marathon (59-65 mins) and Marathon 2:05-2:09. That
1:18-1:23 intensity level has little research done on it because it is
not done often running - the equivalent of racing 30k.
The last thing I would want to see is a racewalking track meet the
mile 3k 5k 10k all in the same meet walking ...uggg. I maybe a
walker but I am still a track and field fan.
Good Training,
Michael Rohl
