2016 HOKA ONE ONE Coaching Interviews: Coach Gags provides Ten pointers to get ready for championships

Coach Gags with Larry Eder, photo by the Shoe Addicts

Coach Frank Gagliano is a fascinating combination of the anecdotal and scientific. ‘Gags’, as he is known to those former athletes, and current athletes, and those who care and respect him. Jeff Benjamin sent a note to Coach Gags from RunBlogRun on ten pointers to get ready for championships. You will find the common sense and thoughtful tips that all coaches should keep on their to do lists.

1. Start Cutting Back Mileage slowly 10 days before race. Example would be, if you are running 50 miles a week, go to 40 miles a week before championships.

2. Don’t change routine. Example: Monday strength to strength, but cut back reps. Wednesday, speed, cut back speed and do not run fast.

3. Have spikes with proper length of spikes for hard surface. Frozen, muddy. Bring all spikes to event, be prepared for change due to weather.

4. Live by the clock! Bed at ? Up at ? For Ten Days before the race.

5. Plenty of Fluids. Try to stay hydrated at all times.

6. Get ready to race mentally the Tuesday before a Saturday race. The mind is 70% of the season.

7. Keep up with your school work!

8. Keep your same diet . Do not change anything.

9. Five athletes score in Cross Country, but 7 should be ready to race well.

10. HAVE FUN!

Thanks! Coach Gags.

Author

Jeff Benjamin

Senior Writer Jeff Benjamin has written for almost 40 years for RunBlogRun! The Former President of the Staten Island AC & was the 5th man scorer for his 1982 Susan Wagner High School NYC XC City Championship team. Also a member of the College of Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame for XC, Jeff is also a retired NYC DOE history teacher. Some of Jeff's subjects have included Sebastian Coe, Eamonn Coghlan, Matt Centrowitz, Billy Mills, Joe Newton, Tom Fleming, Bill Rodgers, Abel Kiviat, Frank Shorter, Rod Dixon and Carl Lewis as well as Book Reviews and articles covering track meets and races primarily in the Northeast U.S. and beyond.

Jeff has also covered Track & Field events at the 1996, 2016 & 2024 Olympic Games as well as the 2022 World T&F Championships in Eugene, Oregon. A noted T&F historian and chronicler of the athletic achievements of Jim Thorpe, Jeff helped with the restoration of Thorpe to the official IOC 1912 Record Books.

In 2023 Jeff was honored with the awarded the prestigious James Dunaway memorial award for excellence in Track and Field journalism by the Track and Field Writers Association.

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