Interest Check: EN Bobby McGee Run Mechanics Workshop Thingie
I've been looking into booking a one-on-one run mechanics session with Bobby McGee, but I thought others in the team might be interested in leveraging team numbers to create a group event as an EN workshop plus some kind of individual mechanics review. Kinda a "EN takes bobby hostage for 1-2 days" dealio where 8-10 of us come in for a weekend, and come out as biomechnically efficient runners.
I wanted to see if there would be any appetite for this, but give the early caution that I haven't looked at any details aside from a plain vanilla ratesheet. Nonetheless, here are some of the broad strokes behind my thinking:
-based on his menu of services, the program would ideally include a seminar/workshop, one-on-one form review, and take-home athlete video
-probably a fly-in deal where each athlete is responsible for their own travel, accomodation, etc.
-probably Boulder / Denver (I think his home base is Boulder)
-focus is 100% run technique. No discussion of run-walk execution, season plans, should I eat clif bars on a long run, etc etc
-Maybe March or April.
Any interest?
Comments
I would be interested in attending. I am in Vegas but can easily fly out and visit our corporate office at the same time :-) Always good to have justification for the write off
Thanks!
Bill
I also might be interested, depending on the timing. Doing Boston in April, so if it was too close to that I would probably be wigging out enough already without discovering how whack my form is.
Great idea - keep us posted!
Kurt, my goal is overall form improvement. It has taken me a long time and more than a little hard earned humilty, but I recognize that when it comes to run form, it's a skill that needs continuous practice, and always offers room for improvement. I first started paying attention to form almost 10 years ago, and I revisit it every couple of years, only to be completely surprised with a "oh ... this is what forward leans means ..." or "oh, so that's where and how I should be moving my arms" moment.
More specifically, I have compeltely drunk the McGee koolaid: the guy is very good at explaining and deconstructing what is a pretty complex thing to teach. The drills ... work. His way of conceptualizing and communicating correct form ... works. I'll put it another way: in the way new EN members, after about 2 months on the team, are starry-eyed with how effective the EN method is, I am with Bobby's approach to running.
That said, I can follow the books, drills, movement patterns, and thinking all I like, but I don't think it will be a substitue for running 25m in front of the guy, and having him see that I'm dropping my shoulder, kicking out my left foot, bending at the waist, or whatever. I have the deep suspicion that my proprioceptive gifts are pretty limited, and I really think there is a lot to be gained from some in-person development. So, most specifically, I'd really like a few hours of obeservation and one-on-one work, a vid, a written report, and a list of personalized look-fors. A seminar and / or workshop would be gravy.
Last piece on a looong answer ... I am looking at a 2-3 year plan to improve my running from 3:3x IM marathons to around 3:20. This, while battling the declines that start to come at age 40+. I still believe there's lots of juice I can squeeze out of fast then far, and there's still a few VDOT points left in my muscles, but perfect form and the efficiency of 100% correct, no excuses, perfect running are really the lowest hanging fruit for me in this quest.
Glad you're interested in the prospect of a workshop. Just learned I have to be in AZ at some time in Feb or March for work, so I'll probably see how the timing of that trip shakes out, and then check Bobby's availability for corresponding dates.