I was talking to Coach Salaz of Maverick Aquatics as we watched his team do a sprint workout. The basic premise was 4x 40 yards 100% effort, and then into the next set. We were observing how all of the kids appeared to think they were going all out (breathing hard, complaining) but when a "sprint 25 for time" was presented, everyone's speed increased noticeably. Obviously, a set of this nature done at any speed lower than "fight for your right to live" is a waste of time.
We've all heard the overused saying, "It doesn't hurt less, you just go faster." I would venture to say that "as you get faster, it hurts more." You may not notice it as you progress, but I believe that athletes who rise to the top constantly find a little extra suffering that they are able to endure. Just like training the body, you slowly get yourself used to going harder and harder. Ocasionally, there are epiphanies as well, and you realize that the definition you had for "all-out" was total B.S.
 |
| The Legend |
So I challenge you as I challenge myself, see if you really know what "All out" is. Watch some Gladiator, poke a grizzly bear in the eye, whatever it takes to get you pumped up, and really go hard next time.
