Supertraining

I have to say that my experience is somewhat similar to John 
Casler's. I was quite a good hill runner in my marathon running years 
and I developed a technique similar to what John describes.

Notwithstanding forefoot, midfoot, rearfoot running economy issues, 
on steeper hills I would make an adjustment from forefoot/midfoot to 
heel strike and at the same time make a deliberate transfer of 
metabolic load to the hip to knee region rather than the lower leg.

It's a bit difficult to explain but it was quite a discrete 
adjustment and hill gradient seemed to be the determinant of a change 
from free-flowing arm-pumping full stride to this shorter stride with 
emphasis on the upper legs.

It enabled me to power up some very steep hills with minimal oxygen 
debt, passing many better runners on the way. (They usually caught me 
running downhill!)

I would not be surprised if Oscar has some advantage in this respect 
in the way that John describes. It had occurred to me as well -- 
which doesn't mean that he will be competitive.

I guess the issue is that an amputee with the ability of a J. Wariner 
might just run 40 seconds for 400.

Paul Rogers
Gympie, Australia

--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "John Casler" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> John Casler writes:
> 
> While I am not informed enough to have an opinion on the "equality" 
over all 
> competitors, I might wonder or question the assertion 
of "metabolic" 
> advantage.
> 
> I, for over 20 years have used "stair climbing" as a great Cardio 
> Stimulating activity, and regularly do so.
> 
> During this period I have explored many climbing and descending 
experiments 
> to compete with myself and become faster.
> 
> It didn't take too long for me to find that climbing on my "toes" 
caused a 
> greater blood flow to my calves.  This then when viewed logically 
suggested 
> several things:
> 
> 1) The blood flow to the calves was significant.
> 2) The distance the blood was pumped was far greater from the 
heart, and 
> surely offered greater stress
> 3) The circulatory efficiency of supplying blood both TO and FROM 
the calves 
> was a greater stress due to the "Cul de Sac" system.
> 
> In light of this, I adjusted my form to step deep into the step 
itself and 
> land on the heel, reducing calf involvement.  This then reduced 
blood 
> requirement for the area.  Additionally I pushed off with the heel, 
causing 
> even greater hip and ham involvement.
> 
> The proximity of the glutes and hams to the heart to both supply 
and return 
> blood was far less stressful and my times steadily improved.
> 
> Now while this certainly doesn't suggest that metabolic 
requirements are 
> small, it does offer an interesting question as to if the shorter 
and more 
> direct blood flow can offer metabolic advantage.
> 
> While I might suggest it "does", I might also say that I can see no 
viable 
> method of establishing the scope of the advantage, considering the 
> disadvantages contained in the disability itself.
> 
> However, it is interesting none the less.
> 
> I think this will be one "large story" of the upcoming OLYMPICS.  
Good or 
> Bad, the Press will love this.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> John Casler
> TRI-VECTOR 3-D Force Systems
> Century City, CA
>