JUNE 30, 2016
Picked up coaching credentials and headed to Hayward Field to meet Darryl Woodson, the coach I am matched with. He goes by "D2", so I will refer to him as that in the future. D2 invited me to watch a training session, so I met up with him and his assistant, Bruce Johnson around 1:45pm. They were taking a break as Sharika Nelvis was warming up and preparing for a workout.
D2 and Coach Johnson are incredibly warm and genuinely interested in me getting the full experience!
While Sharika was warming up, I was introduced to Michelle Freeman, who is an Olympic Bronze Medalist at the 1996 Games in Atlanta- she ran the 4 x 100m for Jamaica, and was also a hurdler. She's currently coaching at San Diego State. When I asked about the success of so many athletes from Jamaica, she said "It's the only way out of poverty". She told me her story of being recruited by University of Florida in 1989. She turned pro in 1992 and competed for 15 years at the international level. When I asked about injuries during that long career, she said something I loved: "Injury is just a stepping stone and part of the journey for you to be stronger and better. It helps you grow".
Her statement displays what I see and hear at this level- RESILIENCE!
D2 then had Sharika do a drill that forced her to have a quick and steady rhythm over 5 hurdles placed close together (1 step between) and then 2 hurdles where she 2 stepped ant then 2 hurdles where she 3 stepped. She had never done this drill before (D2 has only been coaching her for a month- and she's currently ranked 4th at the Trials). It was impressive to see her struggle (had trouble over 1st and 2nd hurdle), but D2 kept reminding her to focus on her core and come in at an optimal speed, not full speed. She got it after the 4th try, and you could see the confidence that grew in her.
We then went to the actual starting area (we had been on the backside), where Sharika worked on her acceleration to hurdle 1. Impressive that she made it in 7 strides, not the usual 8. I noticed she was dragging her toe from step 2-3 and Coach Johnson said it was a "Jamaican thing" that's been coming into the sprints and hurdles recently- to get the foot down more quickly for next step.
This young woman has not had an easy life- lost both parents at age 8. Her grandmother took her in, but then had a stroke, so Sharika lived with an aunt, but was separated from her siblings. Coach Johnson said this is why, in part, she's such a tough competitor- again that idea of RESILIENCE that was visible when talking with Michelle Freeman.
While I observed the practice with Sharika Nelvis, all around other coaches were doing fine-tuning sessions with their athletes- I saw athletes from UCLA, Stanford, Texas A&M, Oregon, etc.
What an amazing first day!!!! I head over today (July 1st) to meet up with D2 and Tasha Hastings (400m runner), who competes later today (5:45 PST).
JULY 1, 2016
We met at the Coaches Hospitality Tent at 3pm to meet the other two grant recipients for this session, and to meet the USATF Education folks, including Terry Crawford, who is in charge. Then I headed to Athlete's tent where I met Natasha "Tasha" Hastings (running the 400m). D2 told me exactly what her pre-race routine would be:
A short warm up, be evaluated by her physiotherapist, more warming up, this time with spikes and more speed. She wore headphones, and she seemed 'in the zone'. She was in the first heat, and her goal was to be in the top three, so that she might advance to the next round (held tomorrow, July 3rd, at 1:30pm.
She was in lane 2, and as she came around the curve, she opened up and looked relaxed and strong! (51.21) Afterwards, her physiotherapist gave her another session, and off she went for the evening!
Got to then watch the finish of the men's 10k--a great 1-2 finish!
Tomorrow meeting D2 at Lane Community College at 10am to observe a training session with Mike Tinsley- competing on July 7th in the 400m Hurdles. Then to Hayward around Noon to prepare Mike Rodgers in the 100m (at 1:01pm) and the Tasha in the 400m Semi-Finals at 1:30pm.
Another amazing day!!!
JULY 2, 2016
Met D2 and his assistant, Bruce Johnson at Lane Community College at 9:30am (this is the off-site training for athletes at the Olympic Trials). Three athletes who are not competing until July 7-8th were training:
"Mookie" Salaam (200m)
Mike Tinsley (400m Hurdles)
Sharika Nelvis (100m Hurdles)
It was a great session for each:
Salaam did 3 x 150 with a 3' rest, trying to hit 5-6 seconds in each 50m. He was not fully recovered, particularly for the last one, but he hit the times and felt great about the workout afterwards.
Tinsley ran start over 5 hurdles, no blocks, focusing on trail leg recovery. He got full recovery. Did 3 reps. Looked comfortable, relaxed and confident.
Sharika worked first from start over 4 hurdles, set at 7.5 meters apart, vs. the regulation 8.5m. Did this 3x, then D2 set up 9 hurdles at regulation setting and height- she executed well, doing one rep.
Fun to see them support each other and get such quality in a short workout!
Off then to Hayward- just in time for Mike Rodgers in the 100m. He was in lane 7, and there was a false start charged to the guy in the lane next to him. He never let it bother him; he kept focused.
He won his heat- he is shorter than many others, so it's is power that brings him down the runway.
Then time for Tasha Hastings in the 400m. Top 4 in each heat advance to finals- she secured the second spot, so she and Rodgers are both in for tomorrow- Tasha for the FINALS of the 400m at 4:38pm and Rodgers in the 100m Semi-Finals at 4:19pm for the Semi-Finals. The 100m Men's FINALS are tomorrow at 5:53pm (all PST).
A BIG day ahead!
A rather amazing day (each one has been, but this was spectacular)!
Began the day by attending church service at the First Presbyterian Church of Cottage Grove. In 1979, I started to spend my summers at Camp Pinecliffe in Harrison, Maine to work as a counselor. That summer I met a woman named Catherine Filmer who, for many years before, and for many years after, taught Silver to the campers. She went by the name "Red", and Red was from Cottage Grove. Since my hotel is here, I thought I would try to find those who knew her (she died in a fire in the 90's). I was directed to the church, and at the service, I met many who knew her...her estate endowed an art fund for children at the church....so very moved by this connection.
Then to the track! Met up with D2 and Tasha and Mike (Rodgers) and Mike (Tinsley). Tasha (Hastings) and Rodgers were warming up for their events. D2 said they were both "ready to go", so he gave very little feedback as they were warming up. Interesting to note that Tasha had her own "spiritual advisor", and they all held hands and "prayed" prior to her checking in.
Rodgers checked in first (for semi's) and then Tasha. D2 likes to watch on the TV monitors- but sent me to the stands to watch live....Rodgers nailed the semi's. Then came Tasha....I feel as they are both "my athletes". Her being in the lane next to Allyson Felix was a great thing....Tasha went out hard, leading until the straightaway...ran a strong race---Going to Rio!!!!
Then came Rodgers. I was sitting very close to the start. It was a bit annoying that the announcer was singing the praises of Ashton Eaton as he and the other decathletes were "swimming" in the steeplechase pit. This held the 100m final for about 4-5 minutes....not ideal. And then the race. Just a very tough competition...Rodgers missed 3rd by .02.
Times like these make it hard to love our sport, as so many are 'deserving'. When I spoke with D2 afterwards, he said the same thing- that they all respect each other and want each other to be "successful", but at the end of the day, only the top 3 make the team.
July 4, 2016
Went to Lane Community College at 11am to meet up with D2, Bruce Johnson and athletes Sharika Nelvis and Mike Tinsley. Just watching them warm up was impressive. Both have own routine and are singing out loud as they listened to their music via headphones. They both compete on July 7th, so it was their last real workout. Tinsley ran the back 200m over 4 hurdles with full recovery. D2 got onto him for a lazy trail leg on #3 on the 1st rep. (He did 3 total). That guy is smooth. I talked with him afterwards and asked what sports he played in high school. He grew up in Little Rock, AK- he played football in the fall, basketball in the winter and track in the spring. I asked him if he ever got pressure to just do track, and he said yes, but the coaches knew he loved to hang with his friends, and most of them did football and basketball.
Sharika was again working on rhythm and controlling her speed and power. She was struggling with a drill, and I loved that Tinsley came over to her (while D2 was adjusting the hurdles) and gave her feedback to not come in so hard---she nailed the next reps. Cool to watch them support each other! (See video segment.)
Headed to Hayward around 1:30pm- saw men’s PV, women’s steeplechase, women’s TJ, Men’s Javelin (Final)—Cool to see Cyrus Hostetler (former Duck) win and then run around the stadium with an American flag and “pacing” the 5,000m men’s first heat (see photo #4587)). Fun to see Ben True (from Maine) make the next round (see photo #4459)). Then the most heartbreaking moment for me to witness thus far in the Trials: The final of the women’s 800m. It was an incredibly tight pack for a lap and a half- then, coming off the last turn, folks were making moves to position themselves, and Alysia Montano fell and rolled off to the side. She was in a position to win, no doubt. But she made her way down the track, walking, sobbing, curling up on the ground, sobbing, and eventually, with the crowds cheering her on, made it to the finish line. (photo #4593).
That concluded my time at the competition….will be watching closely July 7th, 8th and 10th to see how Sharika Nelvis, Mike Tinsley, Mike Rodgers and Mookie Salaam do!!
July 5, 2016
Attended the USATF “Super Clinic” for Coaches. About 300 people had registered. Great sessions (3 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon). Heard Kevin Reid give a talk entitled: “Finding the Zone: Elite Performances by Combined Event Athletes”, and then Jim Radcliffe (strength coach at University of Oregon for all athletes) give a talk called: “From Start thru the Finish” Training Concepts for Healthy and Efficient Development”. Saw Drew Wartenburg of NorCal (distance) Project talk about : “Championship Culture for Any Level”, and then a lively presentation by Brooks Johnson (long time very famous coach) speak with his protégé (and current coach of sprinter English Gardener), John Smith. The title of their presentation was “The Importance of Creativity and Intuition Coaching Athletes to the Podium”. It was a great day of learning and networking!
Post-Script: July 7th brought success to Nelvis, Tinsley, Salaam and Rodgers. All moving on to semi-finals!!!