coachescorner2

TRE: Do you have any special philosophy of coaching?   Do you follow any certain person patterns such as Lydiard?

Bielen: I have my own philosophy of running. The track man must have a happy experience. He must enjoy the team concepts, the thrill of competition, the time spent in track. My job as a coach is not only to provide the technical information but to facilitate the enjoyment of participation. I am convinced that 50 per cent of the high school runners could be exceptional but for various distractions that get in their way or, perhaps, a lack of desire.

1. stay healthy physically with proper diet and sufficient rest
2. develop a positive attitude toward self and life, this comes through freedom from worry and problems
3. work hard at practice ---every day
4. have confidence in the coach, the program, and yourself
5. love to win and be an "envious" loser

In regards to a system of training, I have no particular style, I choose whatever works with a particular group of runners.   Some respond better to intervals, others to a lot of over distance. I have purposely kept my program "very flexible" changing planned workouts to account for weather conditions or a personal team condition.   Since we do not have a track to work out on, this becomes necessary at times since one never knows what unusual circumstances will befall us once we get to Central Park.

TRE: Do you do much interval training?

Bielen: We do interval work heavily during the indoor and outdoor seasons concentrating on �quality distance" during the cross-country season.   We generally work hard during the beginning of the week and taper off toward the end of the week.

TRE: Do you believe in cross-country camps?

Bielen: I believe camps serve a purpose.   It gives the runner an early quality performance in competition, thus reinforcing his interest in the sport. It provides an experience of socializing with other track runners. The drawback, which, if explained to the runner, will not cause such consternation, is that he will not see that nice progression from slow times to faster times.   Sometimes runners get discouraged without that improvement.

TRE: How do you think cross-country running could be improved in the East?

Bielen: I have coached in Chicago and my family is living in Southern California so I feel that I have a good perspective of the programs around the United States. .1 feel strongly that the Eastern cross country is excellent there are many major meets , competition , and they are of excellent quality imagine what we would have with the California weather!

TRE: How do you get the large number of runners out for your team?

Bielen: There are five main things that help our program:
            1. Tradition of the school.
            2. Publicity.
            3. During the first day of school Brother gives a pitch to the different freshman homerooms.
                Usually they have 100 freshmen on that first day
            4. Publicity within the school itself. This helps to keep the runners out on the team
            5. Toleration of individual differences.