There has been some recent chatter about folks protecting their "training secrets." I'm curious if anyone else believes that the concept of "training secrets" is really a myth. I've found that there isn't really a secret recipe to improve athletic performance. Volumes have been written on the subject. I've also found that the truely great athletes that really love their sport are more than willing to share their training ideas and plans. Maybe there are secrets at the Olympic level but for the rest of us isn't it really about finding the right mix of aerobic, anaerobic and strength workouts on a limited time budget?
Submitted by frosso on Sat, 11/25/2006 - 2:22pm
Amen to that,Brother Frosso. If you're that insecure about your so called training secrets, you're probably not that great anyway. It ain't no mystery, anyway. Work hard, Go faster.
#1 Sat, 11/25/2006 - 3:34pm
It's actually Sister frosso but who can tell from a little thumbnail pic. LOL. My favorite training secret shared with me by my C-2 partner who runs marathons (and runs them well): "it's better to be over rested than over trained". Oop! It's not a secret anymore. Darn!
#2 Sat, 11/25/2006 - 3:55pm
Hi Jim:
I've paddled with a lot of well-known top paddlers although I am not, and I have always been welcomed to come along for their training program. Everyone wanted me to come and raise my training to be more competive out on the water. It motivated me to know I was getting closer to someone I couldn't catch before. I believe if you are determined to raise your training to a higher level, pick the brains of the best paddlers, and prove your abilities on the water, it will be YOUR training program that people will want.
Aloha4aina
#3 Sat, 11/25/2006 - 4:07pm
I don't think it matters much what the training program is, or who knows about it. Most of what it takes to get good at any skill comes from the dedication and hard work the individual puts in. Training (or for that matter learning something or mastering a new skill) can only be enhanced if there is another person -- be it to help motivate, critique, or compete with. Just my 2 cents.
#4 Sat, 11/25/2006 - 4:46pm
now i know why i was never that fast...i had no secrets, and no work ethic.
#5 Sat, 11/25/2006 - 6:44pm
I was always one of those guys who thought they were good but got exposed as truly mediocre once oc-1s were invented. I totally rocked in the round blade, no tee top days.
#6 Sat, 11/25/2006 - 7:01pm
I think if someone spent money on a "secret" Training Program it may mean something more than just a bunch of guys doing their own "Secret" training.
There are personal coaches that ask specifically that their programs NOT be discussed or duplicated because of the individualization and specializatiion of the programs(like Carmichael Training Systems) These are designed by Coaches for Individual athletes with a specific goal in mind. Success is dependent not only on the program, but the athlete for whom it was created. So if you take someone else's program, it may not work as well as it does for the person it was designed for, making the program look bad in your eyes...
I suppose my point is that if I paid for a program and someone poached it I'd be bummed out!
(one because they stole it and two because they'd probably beat me anyway!)
#7 Sat, 11/25/2006 - 8:32pm
I paddle for FUN, FITNESS, FELLOWSHIP and FRIENDSHIP, not for FIGHTING. Its that simple. Although it is a convenient excuse to accuse someone of trying to learn about one's "secret training" by just ONE instance of being in the same water space at the same time, its is really an issue of trying a top paddler trying to CONTROL what another paddler can or cannot do by way of physical violence.
Just to be clear, my paddling partner and myself were just paddling together, not trying to learn someone or some canoe club's secret training methods !! Some people take theselves way, way too seriously.
Frosso is right, there is no ONE secret way for anyone. You do what you feel you can and are willing to do. That's it.
#8 Sat, 11/25/2006 - 9:30pm
Witness Protection, Didn't Keizo say drop that subject? Each one of your posts further illuminates the type of person you are. Obviously, the guy didn't like you for other reasons. Drop it or fight-you're on the Big Island, you know the rules...
#9 Sun, 11/26/2006 - 6:34am
Hi Jim:
I agree with you that WP needs to drop the subject. It is getting old. I heard through the paddling grapevine that the reason the accused did not want WP with them is because of personal reasons that can't be put on the Internet. (I'll keep that juicy tidbit to myself). It was not because of secret training.
Anyway, I wanted to address Novice C's comment on Paid Training. Personal trainers create a training program unique to your individual needs and goals. If someone comes along uninvited and wants to do what you do, it really wouldn't benefit them and you might get pissed that they are "leaching" off of your paid program.
Personally, it takes A LOT of training to get me up to a competitive level. If I miss one week of training, I'll be in the bushes. NOT a natural athlete, DARN IT!!!
Aloha4aina
#10 Sun, 11/26/2006 - 10:52am
I kind of look at paid training programs like getting custom clothes made. Someone might steal them but they won't look as good on them. ;-)
Seriously, I haven't paid for a personalized program but if I did I would probably share the details with whoever ask. But my self worth isn't tied up in my paddling performance (not that yours is) so even though I like to win I'm just happy to paddle well and enjoy the day. I usually tell my friends that if I can finish between the genetically gifted and the mere mortals I'm pretty happy.
Just know that even if you pay for a program and invest in "secrets" and somehow you come out on top someday someone is going to beat you. So don't focus on the destination because the journey is the best part.
#11 Sun, 11/26/2006 - 12:23pm
Oooh, I've been following the thread from the original discussion, and now to this break off one. Too much testosterone out there. You guys should drink Goji jiuce and calm down.
And by the way, about the training secrets. Correct me but I heard to be on an elite O'ahu based team, you need to paddle so many miles a week and put in gym time and cross training in other cardio stuff. Is that a secret or just logical sound training for someone(s) who want to be the best of the best?
#12 Mon, 11/27/2006 - 10:12am
Amen Frosso, right on target.
#13 Mon, 11/27/2006 - 10:18am
And whatever other reason ( or titbit ) that you know is irrelevant.
And to get back to Frosso's post. Yeah, definitely the journey is the best part of it. I travel a lot so whatever time I get to paddle I VALUE greatly. Its much easier to get to a gym or run, but paddling takes a little more logistics to get done. Its too bad there are not many places you can just drop in and paddle all over the world like you can with Kayaking.
Aloha4aina is absolutely correct about "leaching" off anyone else's program. It doesn't work because everyone is different- age, fitness, biomechanics etc. and also genetics. Therefore I never follow anyone, no point. I don't have time to pursue this like an Ironman athlete. So might as well paddle for fun and do the best that you can. Frankly I race because of the grinds after !!! sure tastes good when you're hungry right ??
#14 Mon, 11/27/2006 - 10:44am
The only secret that I know of is to TRAIN HARD, but SMART. There are those who spend long hours preparing themselves to win, but seems to fall short of that by 10 places back. A long that line.... comes the word of " relax "
There are way too many people who show up to the race way TOO serious. They choose to not talk to other people or if they do, it's short choppy answers. It's good to be foucsed, but not anal!
Those who expect huge results tend to fall short of it. Mix up your training! Don't do the same stuff everyday. A little of this and that will help get faster results. Go long, do resistanace and speed work.
From one man to me and now to you.
#15 Mon, 11/27/2006 - 11:04am
Short of getting a customized program, it seems most paddlers (or other endurance athletes for that matter) look at what the top tier is doing and experiment with their methods. Not everything (because of all those differences mentioned above) is going to work for everyone in every situation, but there are definitely things we can take from the programs of the elites that WILL work for us. The down side is that the experimentation takes time. But, I think it is worth the time.
I encourage everyone to re-examine their training methods at least twice a year and see if there are other things you might incorporate. Stay open-minded. Some things I've found to be helpful:
Periodization (check out books by Tudor Bompa for the ultimate technical explanation)
Functional Training (strength training that simulates movements similar to paddling)
PS--there are no secret training methods that the persistent athlete can't find on the internet, in books or magazines, or from a giving athlete/coach.
#16 Mon, 11/27/2006 - 11:13am
Secret go-fast tip #1: First, replace those rubber stopper drain plugs with the holes in them for ones without holes. Next, fill your hull and ama with helium. Quickly close the drain-holes with your new hole-less rubber stoppers. IMPORTANT: DO NOT let go of your boat AT ANY TIME after filling it with the helium! If done correctly, your boat should now literally "glide" over the water instead of plowing through it like it always has before. In double-blind, third-party controlled environment testing, using hydrometrically calibrationated GPS thingies, I have determined the net speed increase to be not less than 14 mph. Some choose to use hydrogen instead of helium due to its wider availability, but I stay away from it because it's so much more flammable. (I have already had 21 different boats explode during the experimentation process.) You will have to determine for yourself the proper volume and pressures of helium to use for your specific boat. What works for me in my NALU http://www.riotkayaks.com/v3/fw_nalu.asp is 288 cubic feet at 14.7 psi.
This technique, although seeing wide usage among "well-known paddlers" has NEVER before been released outside a select group of elite athletes. I have gone through great lengths to steal this secret to victory and am now in hiding for fear of my life. I have entered the "witness protection" program due to numerous death threats that I have already recieved for exposing the training secrets of the top paddlers. I hope you all appreciate what I go through for you.
Your welcome, bee-otches.
#17 Mon, 11/27/2006 - 1:35pm
Goto, thank you sooo much. No wonder I haven't been winning the races, but now I know the secret. What makes your secrets credible is that fact that its been scitementifically proven. Look for me in the papers.
PS. I choose to use hydrogen. I like to go down in a blaze of glory.
Poopoo
#18 Mon, 11/27/2006 - 11:45am
Nah, he's just trying to trow us off da real ting. Da real ting is make da boat fu' wit lead. Dat way fo get up to speed den keep da momentum going. Pretty tricky Goto. We're on to you, cuz...
#19 Mon, 11/27/2006 - 12:20pm
I think my biggest secret weapon is my penchant for rest.
Knowing how and when to rest is as important as any "program"...
Train all you want- then sleep on it!
#20 Mon, 11/27/2006 - 4:13pm
Mr Goto, Cheers!
That is perhaps the most lucid and rational post i have ever read. Although I would like to add that when the atmospheric pressure goes above 69.95 inches, I must up my Hydrogen volume and pressure by a constant .375 cubic feet and 0.039 psi, per inch of barometric pressure. That said, I generally run about 292 cubic feet of hygrogen in my Nalu due to the fact that I have installed an automatic sprinkler system inside my boat to prevent any flare ups. This works great, and does not add much weight to my overall rig since the extinguishment system runs entirely on sea water. When the interior of my canoe reaches a temperature of 930 deg F (the ignition tempurature of hydrogen), a 500 GPM (gallon per minute) pump automatically powers up and fills my hull with nonflammable sea water.
Little do all of you know, this proprietary form of training has been in developement by Goto and myself since early 1992. You may order a textbook from the University of Washington bookstore which details our entire regiment and equipment. We are currently outsourcing all of the labor for the fire pumps to china though, so there have been some delays in production. our first container of fully equipped canoes will be here in early 2009.
#21 Mon, 11/27/2006 - 5:40pm
hey jc9_0 and novice C, arent you two supposed to be WORKING and not sharing training secrets and getting free advertising for your new china-built canoes and secret training regimen????
and i know novice c's training secret, which is DRAGGING LURES which = resistance training + DINNER.
#22 Mon, 11/27/2006 - 9:26pm
There has been a lot of discussion on what is the best training method (whether it be "secret" or not) but there have been scientific studies that show a period of tapering will help you perform your best leading up to big races.
I find that in order to perform at my best I engage in a long taper then have 1 week of training!
works wonders
#23 Mon, 11/27/2006 - 10:27pm
Why ruin a perfectly good 11 month taper?
#24 Tue, 11/28/2006 - 12:05pm
HKpaddler I have to disagree with you. Periods of tapering have never proven successful for me. I have carefully intergrated long periods of tapering in my training program and have never seen positive results. I have experimented with tapering peiods of 12 weeks to 3 years and have never performed well coming off of them.
Maybe it's just me I dunno. Maybe I'll have to look into a higher degree of tapering or long tapering periods. Plus I'll hydrate with appropriate beverages.
Poopoo
#25 Tue, 11/28/2006 - 2:12pm
If an extended taper doesn't work then try stretching. It can't hurt and it makes you look like a real athlete. I also have several friends that swear by 12 oz curls. I really like the dragging lures idea. All great training secrets.
#26 Tue, 11/28/2006 - 4:31pm
I have been stretching (see accompanying photo below yldbill) for years.
I have encouraged my "training partner" to stretch me as well, with very little show in the way of improved boat speed...but the stretching itself has shown huge health benefits. Wat?! Boddah u?
As for Frosso giving away my secret of curling the 12 ozs, I know where you live (sort of) and you should inquire about a "witness protection" program of your own or be prepared to finance my "curling regimen" for some time to come!
Now, this is a fun thread.
#27 Wed, 11/29/2006 - 11:10am
I think I probably owe you some 12oz curls for loaning me that OC-2 for Kent Island relay race training. Oops....don't tell anyone I actually train, that's one of my secrets that makes me such a great middle of the pack paddler.
#28 Wed, 11/29/2006 - 4:38pm