Sometimes when the coach looks in the mirror the image he sees is that of Marty McGowan. When that happens, he knows it’s time to take it easy and think about Bill Bowerman’s second principle of training: Hard and easy does it.
Bowerman has always emphasized the importance of a balance between work and rest. The former Oregon coach realized that no one becomes a better runner without working, but he also maintained that no one improves by working hard all the time.
In fact, Bowerman suggests his principle of hard and easy training world as a rule of life: If you work hard for a long period, you must rest. The harder you work, the greater the need for rest.
In almost three decades of coaching national and international runners, Bowerman’s byword became MODERATION. He proved unquestionably that runners make progress more rapidly and painlessly by alternating a day of hard work with the next day easy. Occasionally, two days of easy work was applied. The key was to work just hard enough to avoid overtraining and suffering the consequences of chronic fatigue.
In promoting the idea that waves of hare and easy effort are basic to any successful running program, Bowerman stated, “I’d rather see a runner underworked than overworked.”
And that thought brings me back to Marty McGowan. Marty is a fierce competitor, and over the past decade and a half, he has been in the prize winner’s category nearly every time he races. Unfortunately, much of his time between races, Marty has also been in the specialist’s office.
This spring, McGowan decided that he was like the man who couldn’t sleep, waking up every evening with nightmares of wigwams and teepees. Sometimes, a person is just two two tents! (Too Tense?)
Like Bowerman, Marty is sending out the message of hard and easy. Relax and make progress, but above all, have fun.
Legendary Coach Bill Welsh – Editor of the 80’s Advance Countdown
