Tuesday, July 17, 2007

4 Kinds of People.....

While everyone’s (Mike, Eric, Greg, and everyone else) running and training is going very well, I’m on the other side of the world trying to stay healthy and injury-free. Don’t worry there’s no whining or crying on this end. I’m satisfied enough that the Brooks Axiom is laced up each morning and put to use.

Last night, before hitting the sack and while the booms went off, I watched “JACK DANIELS – The Art and Science of Running” presented by McMillan Running. This DVD is educational and worth purchasing, especially if you’re a fan of Dr. Daniels training philosophy. In one of his sections, he explains that there are 4 kinds of people (runners):

1. A/M: those who have ability and are motivated
- Champions

2. A/NM: those who have ability, but are not motivated (no desire)
- Coach Frustrators

3. NA/M: those who have no ability, but are motivated
- Self Frustrators; he/she will do everything the coach tells him/her to do and more to improve; easily over-trained

4. NA/NM: those who have no ability and are not motivated
- Forget about them; not interested; Losers (he didn’t say this in the DVD)

Which one are you? I think we all would like to be Champions, but were not fortunate to be born with all the ability (talent). I believe that as long as you make the most of your ability and are motivated to reach your goals, then you’re a Champion in my eyes.

Today’s run: 1:09:04 (10 miles – 6:54 pace)
Yesterday: 1:00:40 (8 miles – 7:35 pace)

4 comments:

MB said...

I think Coach Wetmore may have described this in the book Running with the Buffaloes by Chris Lear.

If you haven't read it, it's a good read. I'll be reading it again sometime but if you want to borrow mine send an email and I'll send it to you.

Glad to see you back on the blog.
-mark

Anonymous said...

I think we're all champions, too, and not just because it sounds nice and PC to say so. I'm not sure that I've ever met anyone who is extremely motivated with *no ability*. I think coach Daniels was trying to phrase "people I couldn't afford to spend my time coaching because they do not have enough potential." in a nice way.

Interesting idea, though.

Anonymous said...

I first read about Jack's classification of runners in his "Daniel's Running Formula", and then heard it again in his lecture. I was actually in the audience when it was taped. I have always identified myself as type #3 in his list :). Jack is a very engaging speaker and a great storyteller. I don't know how many of his stories made it into the DVD, but it was fun to listen to them. Also, he is very approachable and down to earth.

Wayne said...

Mark - thanks but I too own the book and have read it twice. Yup, it's a good read. While on this deployment, I've bought a few more running books to keep me company on my down time. Pain, Harriers, and The Perfect Distance are my latest purchases. Pain and Harriers are pretty good. Haven't touched The Perfect Distance, but I hear its good too.