This week is the seventh anniversary of this blog. I think the past year has been the most prolific in terms of number of posts. The blog is a labor of love for me. Seven years ago it started as a daily warm-up to get me writing in order to finish my book, Athletic Development – The Art and Science of Functional Sports Training and I have not stopped. I find it a great way to start my days, to organize my thoughts. It is not a business for me and except for mentions of my GAIN Apprentorship I studiously avoid promoting anything relating to my business. Notice that when I recommend a book I do not hyperlink to Amazon affiliates to get a percentage. I recommend books, people and seminars because I think they have value or something to offer, not to make a few bucks. I am not independently wealthy, I need to make a living like the next guy, but if you are interested you will will go to the website. I write the blog because I enjoy writing, it really does not matter to me if there is one reader or one thousand. It is a vehicle for sharing my ideas for anyone who cares to tune in. Hopefully I will make a small contribution to the coaching profession and defining the field of athletic development. It would be good to hear from on things you would like me to post in the next year.
4 Comments
Phil
I think you do a great job of discussing the role a coach plays in motivating an athlete and getting the most out of them on a personal and performance level. Personally, as I know you’ve coached several marathoners in the past, I would love to see a post (or series of posts) regarding how you organize their training weeks from both a running workout perspective as well as a running and ancillary work perspective.
Paul A. Davis
Vern-
I certainly appreciate all you do to try and define the field of athletic development, and your efforts to inform coaches in all sports to think critically about how they train their athletes. Your efforts have inspired me to get going on creating my own blog.
Joseph Shindoll
I follow a few blogs and yours is one my favorites.
What I really appreciate about your perspective is the interplay of critical thinking and seeing things as a whole or in relationship with one another.
As Ann Landers said ” common sense isn’t so common, in fact it’s an uncommon commodity”
You represent this well. Foundational concepts, and their profound implications.
Thank you
Robert Troch
Count me as a semi regular reader of this blog Vern. Since the very first time I ever heard you speak (sometime back in the 90’s) you always made sense to me, and remind me to constantly question what, how and why am I doing something. Also certain posts stick in my mind like glue. The one about your personal Decathlon training “system” from back in the day was great.
I myself would love to see a post or two about any experience/knowledge you have in the fighting sports. Most notably MMA, since that seems to be an area where nonsensical training is blooming like a wildflower…AND unfortunately influencing the minds of many other athletes and fitness seekers. Your old question of “how much is enough” certainly applies here.
PS- Usain Bolt? Congratulations to him , to Jamaica and to the coach. Phenomenal!