A proposal to recalibrate the track and field world records by removing all records set prior to 2005 has caused considerable controversy. I offer some views on the proposal, and explain why the step is probably necessary, but should not be ‘abused’ as a sign of a new generation.
African running
The sub-2 hour marathon attempt: The pacing strategy
The Nike-Breaking 2 attempt will happen in Monza this weekend. I don’t think a sub-2 is possible, but what will be fascinating is to see a) how they go about pacing the attempt, and what happens if it starts to fall away; and b) what the collective advantage is of all the tactics employed. I predict 2:01:55 at best, a DNF is also a real possibility. More thoughts here.
The “2-hour marathon” season begins
Kenenisa Bekele kicks off the 2017 Marathon season in Dubai, with what is a potential world record. It’s the year of the “Breaking-2” after Nike’s announcement last December. This article is an expanded version of one I wrote for an SA Newspaper on Jan 15th, 2017
The sub-2 hour marathon in 2017? Thoughts on concept
Nike’s announcement that they’re backing three top marathoners to break the 2 hour marathon barrier in Spring 2017, is the latest installment in the sub-2 hype. Relevance and legitimacy aside, what would it take, product and course wise, to achieve? I look at shoes and downhill running to illustrate the concept of physiological barriers and how they might be shifted.
Talent ID & Development: IAAF Level 5 and USATF Level 3 lectures
I’ve spent the last week, a very stimulating one, at the IMG Academy in Brandenton Florida, where I’ve lectured on the IAAF Level 5 and USATF Level 3 coaching courses. The specific theme of this year’s Academy was Youth Sport, and I did four lectures in total – three on Talent ID and Specialization issues, […]