“Knowing Christ is the best thing that has ever happened to me, although winning the US Open was a pretty good second.”
London 2012 Training Guide: Athletics – Track Events
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London 2012 Training Guide: Athletics – Track Events,John Brewer, London, Carlton, 2012: ISBN 978-1-84732-698-0
The format is four sections: The Basics (general information on field events), General Training, then the meat of the book track events in detail and finally The big day or race day.
The events are grouped – sprints, middle-distance etc. Each section covers techniques, tactics and training tips. In each section there is a feature on a racing legend. The book has over 40 great colour action photos – mainly from the Beijing Olympics as well as loads of drawings to illustrate technical points.
To take one example, I found the analysis of the balanced between leg speed, basic speed and speed endurance in 400 metres runners fascinating. The conclusions help understand why some 400 metres runners are converted sprinters and others 800 metre runners in disguise!
The book seems to work at different levels. The spectator can dip in and gain and insight into, for example, race tactics. The beginner participant can gain an understanding of an event, what is required to master it as well as training tips. At the same time I would be surprised if the experienced athlete did not learn things from the book.
Thoroughly recommended.