10,000 hours to make a champion

At the recent level three coaches course (the final segment in the saga) one of the guest speakers spoke of the universally accepted view amongst coaches, that it takes 10,000 hours for an athlete in any sport to win an Olympic Gold Medal. It appears it’s the same amount of development needed for a cyclist to reach the Tour de France. Since I’ve been on holidays I’ve been reading books, lots of books. The 10,000hr theory applies to business leaders as well.

The widely held view is, to reach the top of any field it generally takes 10,000hrs of deliberate practice. The key here seems to be “deliberate practice”, not just fooling around with your mates at the pool or cruising around on your BMX.

I’ve always told athletes in the squad, it takes seven years to develop an aerobic system to it’s potential. So be patient, you’re a work in progress.

One of the most frustrating parts of being a coach of age group athletes training for Ironman races is, after a season preparing for a major race, gaining significantly over the 12-16 weeks, some athletes take a recovery break and don’t come back for six months. Losing the opportunity for ongoing development and the chance to start the next preparation at a higher level.  

If work committments or family responsibilities cause you to have to stay away from the group. Have a plan of action in place to continue working on some of the parts of your performance. It can be a period of strength work in the gym, it can be three short technique based swim sessions each week, where small changes in stroke are gradually introduced.

I know some athletes who have suprised themselves at the heights they have reached, by simply sticking at it for long enough.

There are some interesting things which come out when a group of coaches get together.

1 – There are no secrets to success, it’s all about doing the work. Doing it as wisely as possible, but still it has to be done.

2 – Success at high levels in sport is mostly mental, everybody will arrive at the start line in great shape

3 – You have to know where you’re going, have an end in mind  

4 – Keep records, do you have a PB book? Do you know what you ate during that great weekend when you were at your best?