SPORTS SYMPOSIUM IN MORRISTOWN ON SATURDAY Runners may want to change their training schedule for next Saturday so that they can attend the free Atlantic Sports Health Spring Symposium, subtitled Sports Performance Management for Endurance Athletes. Whew! A long title for what looks to be a very interesting day for serious athletes, delving into prevention of sports injuries, cardio training, endurance training, sports nutrition, and so on. The Atlantic Sports Health Initiative was started last spring, according to Trudie Milner, PhD, of Mendham, the Practice Administrator for the Atlantic Sports Health, which is affiliated with Morristown Memorial. “Our goal is to be a leader in sports health care,” said Milner. “Not just provide medical services, rehab, and etc., but to be a source of education for people in our community.” |
“The plan is to have these large symposiums two times per year, free of charge, the opportunity to be part of a multidisciplinary event,” said Milner. “Where we draw and showcase the dept, breadth, and expertise of a number of professionals not only in the medical field but also in the athletic community.”
Runners should expect to be given more than the basics from Paul Friedman, of Montclair. Although not presently competing, Friedman was a dominate runner in New Jersey and New York, and continues to train and stay fit.
“There are a lot of people coming into the sport who are getting their information from Runners World,” said Friedman. “It’s all geared toward joggers and there are some fundamental things missing. The core essence of what it takes to be good is missing because there is a lot of fluff and hype sold to middle class people who are trying to run for the first time.”
“The best advice I can give is there are some very core fundamental principles that are no different in running, swimming, or cycling that are important,” he said. “We lose sight of those fundamental principles and that’s why injuries and poor performances result. It’s identifying those core principles and looking at your training - those principles and ask, ‘Am I violating these principles?’ or ‘Am I doing things in line with those principles?’”
Friedman will teach the essence of those core principles, that stress, plus rest equals improvement. If an athlete violates that rule, he ends up hurt or sick.
The key question is, ‘How much stress, how much rest until you’re next dose of stress?’
Another core principle that Friedman will teach is that an athlete must train specifically for the event.
“You get very good at what you spend your time doing,” said Friedman. “If a 10K requires efficiency at 6:45 pace and you spend most of your time training at eight minute pace, then you are going to get very good at eight minute pace and not a whole lot of skill and comfort level at 6:45.”
Friedman will be teaching one of the seven different breakout sessions. Of probable interest to runners, in addition to Friedman’s Running, is Endurance Building and Core Training, Cardiac Training and Strength Training for the Endurance athlete. Participants will be able to attend three of the seven that are offered, and will be able to speak with the presenters after the closing session.
The Keynote address will be given by New Jersey state senator Jennifer Beck, who will speak on how competing as a triathlete has positively affected her life.
More information is available at www.atlanticsportshealth.org/ . Although the symposium, which is being held at the Westin Governor Morris is free, as is the lunch that is included, registration is necessary and can be done at the website.
OPEN WOMEN TOE THE LINE NEXT SUNDAY IN LIVINGSTON
Open women will be in the spotlight next Sunday, April 13th in Livingston at the Run for Rachel 5K, USATF-NJ championship. The Running Company is expected back to defend their title as the top women’s team, as are the Morris County Striders that took second in 2007. The Striders team is currently in second place in the team standings, with the Running Company and Raritan Valley Road Runners tied in third. The new kids on the block, Road Runners Sports, are leading after two races run so far in the series.
Of course it is not just about teams, as the New Balance Grand Prix high point value for championship races is 700 and that will attract both men and women to the race that starts at 9:30 a.m.
Originally published by the DAILY RECORD of Morris County, New Jersey on Sunday, April 6, 2008
Copyright, Madeline Bost, 2008
