Can You Get Individual Sports People To Think Like A Team

It is well documented that an individual sportsperson, be it a runner, cyclist, kayaker whatever, can benefit dramatically by training with a group of people. Just as team sport like rugby or vigaro would work with each other to improve the teams performance so to can an individual athlete work with others to lift their performance beyond that which they might achieve alone.

But this having been said can you really turn an individually minded athlete into a functional component of a codependent unit. I don't think you can. too many individual sports people lack the ability (or interest) to consider the impact the way they take to a session is having on the people they are training with that day.

If fact the consideration that their reasons for being their may in fact be completely different from the person standing next to them so their approach to that session could never benefit all parties. Unless they establish (and accept) the different objectives they come to the session with.

So does this mean we should all just head off our own way and never work together? Again I don't think so, but we do need to find out more about what the people we a re training with are looking to get out of each session and then decide if that is what we want as well or agree to head out with them anyway and smash them for our own enjoyment.

Monday 20th April

Swim in the Wood. Took to the water ignoring Sleep Trains explanation of his planned set for the evening knowing that I was definitely after a different objective in this session than he and that there was no chance I would be the one doing the smashing. Clocked up 2.4km to the sounds of aqua aerobics beside me. How do I get a job instructing aqua aerobics, it must be the only aerobics class going were you only need a half the fitness of the people in the class to complete the activities and talk for 1hr.

Tuesday 21st April

Standard Tuesday BMMC loop from the roundhouse. Except that my legs were telling me it seemed like we had travelled a lot further than my mind and 'map my run' tells us it is for Sleep Trains run. A chance for Sleep train (like it is ever different), Animal & Dr Phil to put me in my place on the second climb. Still managed 1hr 3seconds including stretch time, so some joy to be had despite the fatigue found in legs today.

Wednesday 22nd April

Bailed on the swim today and when Home Owner rang to pull out on the PMM7 ride I demonstrated zero mental aptitude by going home to spend 2hrs trolling CR website. Zipo training today but some very funny entries found in forums.

Thursday 23rd April

With (Notso)Fat Kiwi, Sleep Train and myself departing the Mansion on Marshall it was with confidence that I proclaimed "at least none of those half wheelers are here to drag us out to fast". You would think with this understanding crowd and a day of nothingness prior all would be good on the home court. Unfortunately the basic hill circuit had other ideas.

Completely demoralised I walked up the gully track to the bemusement of all (other) participants in today's run. Why would you walk! Because it hurt, get on with it! I'm not proud of this day!

1hr 10mins for the basic hill circuit. Improvement needed or find a team with like minded objectives, go join Lower Mountains Running Men if you want to walk when it gets hard.

Friday 24th April

Back up to the Woods for a swim. Nutted out 2.7km with sound main set of around 1.3km. Feeling good in the water at the moment. Maybe it is because my head was in the water and I couldn't hear the sledging on my walk episode from the day before.

Saturday 25th April

Having dodge laps of Kedumba and a Mt Biking (Glenbrook-Woodford-Glenbrook) Running (Red Hands Cave) brick session eventually strode out with she who must be obeyed for a 'romantic' run (Who says chivalry is dead) around trails of the Twin Lookouts. Her running is really picking up. Measured by the fact that I only got sworn at twice in 1hr and a half. A vast improvement of the turrets days and punches of yesteryear.

Enjoyed the mixed company and might even suggest we do this run thing together each valentines day and anniversary.

Sunday 26th April

No groups would take at the moment. Not with out server mental and physical harassment for my lone status as the guy out the back this week. Did the next best thing and tried to get my self blown off my bike in the upper lower mountain regions of Faulko.

Managed to stay out from under trucks and falling trees and battled the wind for 5okms at round 28km average. Probably need to increase cycling distance, both within indv sessions and through week. Might think about it next week, though there is more chance of one of my year 10 students asking me if they could help get in the gear than me riding with Animal following reports on his destroying everyone who dares ride with him at the moment.

Weekly Totals (Only so I fit in with the group mind you)

Swim 5.1km

Ride 50km

Run ?Distance, 3hrs 40 minutes 3 seconds (less than the long run alone last week)

Cognating On The Cognition Of Running

I have had it in my mind that maybe the reason I took to running is that it involves a lot less decision making and analysis of external factors than many other sports. This concept has only been reinforced this week through two key experiences.

The first has been the work we are currently doing in programming PE units for the gnomes. Using the concepts of decision making within the variables of game categories to teach a general structured awareness of thought, and secondly (and more concernedly) the new lows in conversations runners can get to as demonstrated by the BMMC.

Monday 13th April (Easter Monday)
The Dave and Dean triathlon, formerly known as a club race.

Full well knowing I was underdone for a triathlon due to my trampling OS. It was with some trepidation (I will explain this word latter to any runners confused) that I drove down with she who must be obeyed to the lakes for this one.

Some encouragement from fellow participants that in hearing my claims that I had only swum twice in past 6 weeks suggested that I should be rested. Thought quickly evaporated with understanding that one of those swims had been the previous evening.

Surprised myself with a 15 minute 750m swim, being the fastest I had swum this season. Must check my set from last night a revisit. Found myself on a very crowded cycle course and dragged along a touch by the inevitable (emphasis on inevitable and revisit concept of crowded) pack (to use the word VERY loosely) in around 33 minutes for the 20kms.

On to the run and I must state if I ever run 9 minutes for an advertise 5km run again I will be very surprised. I still believe Thomo and she who must be obeyed had a hand in the course "adjustments".

Cognitive concern for today: A certain BMMC participant that claimed he would have run down those in front if run had been full 5km. Though when one checks the results finds he was possibly heading in a south direction time wise. combined with the fact that 300 people all turned at the first marker and failed to head to the end of the lake as was clearly stated in the pre race briefing. We are Lemmings.

Tuesday 14th April
BMMC run from Sleep trains round house. New rules invoked following discussion as to managing increasing desire by various individuals to associate themselves with BMMC.

Addendum to Bylaw 1.1 of Section 1 Part 1 of the newly created yet never documented constitution: To be considered a member of the above mentioned group herby to be recognised as BMMC all said peoples (and partners/pets/pieces of inanimate objects they may wish to carry) must either currently reside in a residence post scripted by a Blue Mountains post code OR have done so in a hysterical part of their said existence for a consitently unbroken period of 120 months. So said all of us.

Outside of this Sleep Train, the good Dr Phil, Animal, GPB (look above associate), Scott's Brother Ben, and I enjoyed the standard circuit in the required diretion. That being Sleep Trains run (2 hills run) at a somewhat increased pace to normal, 55minutes.

Cognitive concern for the day: Animal have been introduced to Scott's Brother Ben beginning to ask if he had run much and where he was from. Despite having known him for over 20 years.

Wednesday 15th April
AM Seem to recall swimming (I really must log these details earlier, as I get on. More issues re cognitive capabilities of runners). Solo at the Brook early-ish. Prior to driving to airport to drop mum for her trip to Hong Kong. Clocked up 2.2km. Yes definitely did it, but dropped reliability points for missing BMMC swim time.

PM M7 cycle from Toll car park to southern end and back. Joined by GPB and "Home Owner" (renamed as way to many firemen to link specifics on him) who was out despite having finish Port only a week and a half ago. Clocked in 30kms to be built by 10km a week up to 60km for a constant mid range ride through winter.

Cognitive concern for the day: Why would anyone think their body was up for training 10 days after their first Ironman and then come up with the bike being the pre time trial bike as the reason they felt uncomfortable.

Thursday 16th April
An attempt was made on topping the largest BMMC training group the night before but fell short thanks to individuals thinking their individual needs of tapering for some marathon were more important than my needs to break insubstantial records.

In the end Sleep Train, Scott's Brother Ben, Animal, The Fat Kiwi, Home Owner, Shogun and I looped up the Basic Hill Circuit. A more than steady beginning (noticing a trend here Scott's Brother Ben) but eased off towards the climb up the gully track as surprisingly Home Owners legs blew out on the hills even though he had given himself 11 days to recover from Port. Shogun reminded us all that the anthem of wild Endurance 'never leave a man behind', too which I am eternally grateful, was to be remembered in all instances. I am sure this is what animal was discussing with Scott's Brother Ben at the summit as well. finally round in 1hr 5mins.

WARNING NEXT PARAGRAPH MAY OFFEND YOUNG VIEWERS
Cognitive concern for the day: General discussion post run centered on a single topic. Urination. When running, at the beach both in water and on land, fighting with urine and strategic placement of wetsuit clad leg and foot to warm anothers toes. Why?

Friday 17th April
Nothing to report (becoming a trend on Fridays)

Saturday 18th April
A call had gone out from our upper mid mountains friends to join them for a gentle stroll through their home territory trails. Something about a couple of laps on Kedumba Pass.

7am at the lookout car park. A quick construction of an official turn around point and Mister G, Sleep Train J-Glen and I set down for the 7.5km initial descent to Jamison Creek. A stunning place to run on a Saturday morning even through the initial ascent back spent drawing as much info on ultra running as possible from Mister G. Lap one 45 minutes down 1hour 5 minutes return.

A quick regroup (though possibly a little longer for Sleep Train) fueled up thanks to the kindly Mel who had joined us with supplies and it was back down again this time looking for the CR who had posted training days on the WE-Nth Face course through the week. as we descended again confidence must have been high discussion touched on the concept of 24hrs on Kedumba, With one enthusiast suggesting Boxing Day as a suitable date (still excites me).

At Jamison creek in a around 50minutes and looking to head on up again Sleep Train decides to turn our long run into a Fartlek session with the statement "You go ahead Im going to stretch then time trial up". I'm sure it was primarily to put us all back in our place. Worked solidly up in 56 minutes to find myself 15 minutes slower than Sleep Train but happy with the effort. Total time out around 3hours 46minutes all on the best hill climb I know of in the Mts.

Cognitive concern of the day: The run to start with, but backed up with more talk on urination. Again why?

Sunday 19th April
DOMs and an invitation to Greek Easter lunch in Auburn equals no training for Scam today. Love eating my way through Greek Easter lunch though, one to be included in all yearly training calenders.

So the cognitive concerns remain. Many sports provided development of critical thinking and analysis in an environment that is constantly changing around the participants. Kind of like trying to solve a Rubik's cube whose colour squares keep changing. Were running provides only an inability to follow instructions, lost memory, obsession with training, conversations on urination and Glutes that hurt so much I you have to just stay seated and eat more Greek Easter lunch. An advanced species are we (a question or a statement I ask).

Consistency + Reliabilaty = Improvement

Consistency has long been the catch word amongst most of us at BMMC training sessions and with the current climate of discussion once again coming back to this very topic it seems the grey matter has found a floor (that's right not a ceiling) in this concept. For if you are looking for improvement, consistency is undoubtedly a key focus. However assuming that having other people to call on for group training sessions will only increase your consistency due to the intrinsic feedback of "I cant let them down" combined with the extrinsic feedback of "** insert personal insults here**" when you don't turn up to a prearranged session.

THEN: by not being reliable in your attendance at prescribed group sessions (ie BMMC runs) then soon the group will stop inviting you. THERE FOR losing both intrinsic and extrinsic motivators that the group provided. HENCE decreasing consistency. THUS effecting improvement in the negative.

SO: Consistency + Reliability = Improvement (or C+I=Imp.)

Monday 6th April
Reliability factor minus 5. Failed to turn up to morning swim at the Brook. However following sheepish enquires (bar none) it appears no one else managed to raise themselves from there slumber. Reliability reinstated on precedence theory.

PM, the MonRun. Having been OS for the better part of the past month and failed to manage a single lap of the bridge the day following our return. It was with the desire to rebuild some form of credibility amongst the gnomes of Nepean. A small turn out dominated by staff influenced the decision to alter the standard and having cross the iron bridge we turned at the former members house and headed out along the partly constructed river track. Out through the slightly overgrown trails to the bard wire traverse, through the old quarry and back behind the old enemy and caravan park to the car park. a most enjoyable variation that will be considered as a permanent alternate to the current run. Olive getting faster by the run.

Tuesday 7th April
A hard lesson learnt but a 6am start is a 6am start. Having altered the run start from the Lucasville Resort to the tennis courts all that it had been altered for slept in or turned up late to miss the run (even if it did turn out to be 1min 30seconds, late is late). As it was only Whollie and I, and remembering Whollie had control of this one it was the black trails with white lines that dominated today's run. 50 minutes around the lagoon and back streets of the Brook. Nice pace and enjoyed the return to an old standard.

Wednesday 8th April
Another no show at the Brook only to again be redeemed by no one elses attendance. I am a little disappointed to have sacrificed 2 opportunities to point out that individuals had failed to arrive to a scheduled session, however such is life.

PM, solo run number 2 in the space of 5 days. I don't think I have run solo twice in a week for over 10 years. I'm changing. Start at Knapsack Oval and a lap around the inner circle quarry link. Felt really good and worked at a solid tempo from top of Marges lookout back around to Knapsack via quarry. 45 minutes.

Thursday 9th April
Let it be said "I'm on holidays, I don't need to run at 5.4am" is the weakest cop out excuse I have ever heard (but please read on things can always change). Absent of the Sleep Train, we meet at the National Park Gate for a cruise through the National Park (a strange place to meet for such a run I know) on Euroka via river circuit. Pez (A), Whollie, the Fat Kiwi, Dr Phil, Animal and myself set of sticking to Oaks fire trail initially due to poor light. At Iron bark picnic area turned left down into Euroka, through to Bennets ridge track till river exit and back along single track to Euroka. On the sharpish exit up the hill side at Euroka, Whollie fell into one of his terrible bouts of turret's. Fortunately having anticipated such an episode most of us had surged a little in the lead up to clear our auditory receptors from such outbursts. Finished along single track to road above causeway and up hill to gate. 1hr 5mins.

Friday 10th April (Easter Fri)
Clocked in rest day for no reason in particular other than it just happened that way.

Saturday 11th April (Why does every other day get Easter before it but not Sat?)
Building of the long run, 90mins 2 weeks ago, 2hrs last week, the plan 3hrs easy. Having suffered a drastic drop out rate of participants the night before. With one individuals claim that it was too cold (its April, honestly it is the week for new lows in the excuse department. All BMMC runner put on notice make it new and good or turn up). It was left to the good Dr Phil and I to tackle this weeks long run.

The Lower Mts Northern Ridges Loop was on the cards. Setting off from the Mansion on Marshall the two of us made good time through Warrimoo (stopping briefly to stop Animal from throwing rocks on Sleep Trains roof, that how we saw it anyway), Valley Heights and found ourselves at the car yard Springwood in a touch under 55minutes. Heading out along Hawkesburry Rd we began discussing ways to lengthen the run towards the end in case we were leaving ourselves short of the 3hrs by running a touch quickly. Strangely the concept of slowing down never entering the conversation.

Stopped again briefly to discuss Mul's progress towards Canberra Marathon when he was encountered coming the other way. It was then down Single Ridge to Long Angle and onto the the Long Angle Link Track at around 1hr 25mins.

Found a pair of sunny's along the trail (which I have been advised I cant CR Ebay and should hand in at local constabulary. They must love collecting sunnies) then continued up 'shit hill' and on to 5 ways. As we were still moving along nicely a left turn was had and out to the Good Dr Phils former love nest lookout. Lesson learnt I think if you are going to preamble an extension with the statement a very very small climb you should carry more experience than having riden it on horse back.

Back to 5 ways and along valley floor to the usual exit. A short loop through to the track that's not there and back home to clock in at 2hrs 30mins. Great run, short on scheduled time but intensity well up on plan.

Sunday 12th April (Easter Sun)
An evening swim and the first for the week having again failed to rise on Friday morning to get to the Brook. It must be moving into winter though for today the dampness required for swimming training was found in the Woods.

Surprisingly enjoyed the swim clocking up 2.2kms with a solid main set of 1km. Sleep Train continued to lap me in the lane next whilst Kel kept me honest on the other side.

Slowly the adaption takes place, not so much a process of evolution as a more mild transformation within the same restrictions of genealogy. Faster but not fast, stronger but not strong, fitter but as of yet not fit.

What Begins With Wrestling Octopus Ends Playng On Hills

Have just returned from dinning out at parental expense all day and cant quite maintain the required eye openage to ensure I wont fall asleep half way through typing. A combination of Rugby development days (that turn into extended social occasions), shaking the body into new time slot of ending day light savings and completing the first semi consistent week of training since the northern exposure episode seem to be taking there toll.

I guess if I had spent the last 30 minutes updating blog instead of watching the video stream from the finish line at Port I might be done and sleeping.

Monday 30th March
Sydney West Rugby trials today so a break in the normal routine meant no MonRun with the Gnomes. For anyone interested though the form is looking hot for the CHS carnival if the final pos/prob game is an indication and we can get top squad to turn up to training.

I prob have no rights to criticise individuals for missing sessions and there is no way I will accept the whole macro cycle interval theory with my players. It only works when it suits me.

Did manage to get back for a few laps at the Brook at 5pm and was overwhelmed by the number of BMMC present. Most definitely turned out to be for the best though as I swam like one arm was inserted half way down my back and the other one had been taken off and reconnected with the hand in the shoulder and the shoulder distal to anything else on my body. Dragged myself and the infamous Octopus of the Brook though 2.1km.

Tuesday 31st March
Nightmares of octopus inflicted swimming kept me from the training. That and memories of the wicked witch melting in water.

Wednesday 1st April
What do you do when you have 40 minutes till you are suppose to collect she who must be obeyed from the station. Why not take a 50 minute run in torrential rain with Time Dwards.

At this point it is with the official sanctioning from those who count not those who calculate that it is officially recognised that he formerly known at Time Dwards in memory of Dingos passed shall here forth be refereed to as Animal (see Gazette link to Blaxland Institute of Sport est some time in the past, lets guess 1997).

Started Animals abode strode down through Ozzie Pyrenees to Lennox up (the expected dry tracks cause they arn't in the valley) single track to Marges, along fire trail to quarry deviation past jumps down to Mt Sion access track (trail side) over Mt Sion through reserve past Lagoon and back through Ozzie Pyrenees to Abode.

Fun, wet and worth the associated verbal for being late (unless the wrong person reads this and again sorry it was an April fools gone wrong I should have thought it through).

Thursday 2nd April
BMMC back into action. Standard Thursday AM from the mansion on Marshall. Joined by Whollie and GPB. Meet by the very late Dr Phil in Ozzie Pyrenees. Despite the good Dr trying to light the way for us all with his head lamp. The experience of swimming into Marges lookout yesterday arvo kept us to the black tracks with lines in the middle this morning.

Cant actually remember were we went but recall it was 60 minutes and that Animal no showed sighting confusion over who he is as his reason. Think we wound our way through some parts of Blaxland and recall running past sign labeled Koala. Didn't manage to catch any though.

Definitely heard faint whispers in the back "love Borrea, love Borrea" so must have kept Whollie happy.

Friday 3rd April
Pre-mentioned rugby day, turned into amber exploration. training minimised to the point of extinction.

Saturday 4th April
A late run. Having spent the morning reprogramming poorly constructed social dialect from Sleep Train the evening before in Animals companion. Ben 1 does not go to the Ben who claims it first. It goes to the one who feeds the Animal when creamed corn on toast become monotonous.

Despite ample invitations no response in the positive so was forced to solo run for the first time in many months. Attempted to lighten mental load with my ipod, though someone seems to have removed any skeric of music that I would choose to listen too.

NEW RUN: Playing on hills
Began as per Wed & Thur, down through Pyrenees along to Lennox bridge and along single track to Marges lookout. Then up to junction and out to Elizabeth sticking to primary fire trails. Down Whollies fear under Knapsack bridge and up zig zag stairs to Lucasville Station. down round old quarry and up to quarry lookout before returning down zig zag stairs to Knapsack Bridge.

Along path to early exit on side and up what I believe is referred to as the Mitchells Pass down hill track to summit at track junction of Marges major track. Back down the Mitchells single track to car park at great Western Highway.

Along railway line to base of Old Bathurst access tail and along to gully track. Up gully track to summit at top of Old Bathurst before returning down ridge track to water tank. Cross Old Bathurst and back up North side along rocky trail to top again before cruising back to Rusden with 4 minutes out and back added on to hit 2hrs.

Great run with two basic rules applied. It doesn't matter the speed of the step so long as each step is a running stride. Secondly in following the rules of alliteration, Sleep Train says stretching is on at the summit. Look forward to introducing more of the BMMC to "Playing on hills".

Sunday 5th April
Back on the bike with knowledge that numerous individuals of acquaintance were in Port lining up for 9 to 16 hrs of fun. Fun I have claimed to be doing since 1992 yet never seem to make.

The basic plan is to build the Sat run steadily for a few more weeks whilst adding 10ks to the Sunday ride till it maxes out at around 120ks for a few months. I standard today with Sleep train and Dr Phil round the block. Nice 60ks with the added benefit of climbing up to Hawkesbury Lookout 2/3rds in. Must say playing on hills had some what of an impact finishing the climb but overall happy with progress.

I may even actually participate in something broadly described as an event soon. But lets not commit to anything.

Well done to Trent, Dave, Ollie, Karl, Gareth, Michael, Jono and anyone else I have missed whom finish Port today. Love to see the highs dominating the lows.

But I Want To Run Now

It is amazing how many concepts a PDHPE teacher tries to pass on to his students and then ignores completely himself in person life. The constant referral to concepts such as balanced lifestyle and progressive overload become lessons for them whilst concepts of recovery are completely ignored.

It was something of a frustrating week and a bit following the return from our geographically higher placed hemisphere. With considerable difficulties experienced trying to recover from 24hrs in a plane and no attempt to train outside of racing to the patisserie for another croissant.

Monday 23rd March

The first day back into normality following my time in normadicality. It was with absolute confidence that I fronted for the MonRun with the Gnomes and with absolute embarrassment I walked the last 2kms of the bridges. I couldn't even pretend it was an episode in self image boosting for the gnomes as my distressed appearance gave all to much away. I don't think I have walked in a run of less than 10kms since I managed to finish my first 10km fun run aged 8 at Gross Vale.

Friday 27th March

It took a week to get over the poor attempt at training on Monday and Thursday night probably represented the first night back that I had managed to sleep through without jumping out of bed three times thinking it was a time that it clearly wasn't yet.

Got the Mt Bike out and hit the tracks of Knapsack with the Gnomes. A great turn up for our first drive to destination for 2009. 8 gnomes 2 other teachers and GPB who had invited himself along to take his newly purchased Mt Bike round for the "third" time (though it turns out one & two resembled Wholohan styled black tracks with yellow lines). spent the hour lapping round the trails from fire to single. Splitting at time when skill level required alternate paths to the same destination. It should be stated that GPB bought a lot of GP to the ride with his loud statements of confidence and his equally spectacular examination of the dirt twice on course.

Saturday 28th March

BMMC called to arms. An easy 60 minutes was planned with departure selected from the Mansion on Marshall for those out to roll the legs. The more serious had clocked in at 5am and would meet up with us on course to cruise their final hour (a tactic that has never quite worked before)

Sleep train, GPB, and A Curnow (not more than 1 though) set off down through the Ozzie Pyrenees and managed the first ever recorded successful linkage with an external group. Of Whollie, Dukesie and Pez (of the a Variety).

Having descended to the world of the low lander via Mitchells pass an easy 60minutes was had by all, when it was noted that strangely enough we were not home yet. So with A Curnow (not more than 1 though) departing for the greener pastures of Wollies car Sleep Tain GPB & I began the trek to the valley track to head back. Missing it completely we slogged it out up the much less scenic road track and finally found ourselves returned in a touch over 90minutes.

It is to be noted however that the advertised easy 60 minutes was adhered to as it was only once this time had elapsed that the run became hard.

An afternoon wandering on memory around Mt Irvine with Sleep train was a fitting way to enjoy the rest of the day. Two lessons of note. Firstly just because a map is called Mt Wilson map is no indication that Mt Wilson is in fact anywhere central on given map so the neighbouring township does not infact need to appear on it at all and secondly it is difficult to wander into wilderness based on memories when you have never been there before.

Note: I think this is the way, is that the track in front of us?

Sunday 29th March
Tried my best to punch out a sneaky 5oks on the bike solo so that no one would see my absolute state of nothingness in terms of current cycling ability. Unfortunately before I was half way through Rob Spilling had waved enthusiastically as he rode home from joggers, a former co member of Springwood athletics had chuckled as she was out walking at the sight of my attempts to cycle and Matt's brother Pete had almost taken out the rest of his group in an effort to bellow my name for all to hear as they rode the opposite direction. Sprung.

50ks, as I expected it would felt like lots and my remaining thoughts revolve around the knowledge that 18-ks is a lot further. None the less it was a start and now that I have changed tyres from the ones I realised have been on the bike since the Perth expedition I can corner again without constant fear of more exploding tubes.

Keep up the consistency, maintain sessions that wont prevent you from doing the same session again the next day harder if required. It's coming I swear.