Joining The Lead Pack

My name is Luke Watson and I'm a new contributor to The Lead Pack. I run professionally for adidas and I coach the mid-distance men at the University of Notre Dame. In this post I'll just let you all know a bit about where I come from, what my coaching influences are, and outline my training philosophies in very general terms. In future posts, I will be expanding into detail on training topics, and indeed would love to answer any questions or write articles on topics you suggest. So-- let me know what you'd like to see more of, and indeed what you'd like to see less of (that's right, you're allowed to tell me to shut up too, though I can't guarantee it'll work).

I began running a little bit in junior high school, and once I entered Stillwater (MN) High School under the expert care of coach Scott Christensen, I quickly realized that running was something I was really good at. I didn't know much at all about running that freshman year, but Scott introduced me to training theory and even some basic physiology. His training system is similar to Coe and Martin's multi-pace system, and Scott is a biology teacher who really studies and understands the physiological side of training. In fact, he co-authored much of the USATF Levels I, II, and III Coaching Education classroom material and is an instructor. Under Scott's guidance I won 5 state championships, many team state championships, and helped my cross country team earn the #1 USA Today National Ranking for the entire season (this was before the days of NTN, of course). My HS PR's were 1:53.0r, 4:12.27, 9:08.89, and 5:54 for 2000mSC. A couple of favorite lines Scott would often say:
"Practice Doesn't Make Perfect. Perfect Practice Makes Perfect."
"The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win."
and of course, "BALLS TO THE WALL!"

From there I moved on to the University of Notre Dame. There I competed on 3 cross country teams which finished in the top 10 at the NCAA Championships. I personally finished twice in the top 7 at the NCAA cross country championships, won 6 Big East titles, and ran 3:57.83, 7:54.02, 8:37.61, and 13:38.73. Coach Joe Piane's training style is a time-tested combination of mileage and longer-volume workouts. "Fellas, get in some 'D'." - Piane.

After graduation, I began training with Dr. Joe Vigil and Team USA California. Once again, I was running under a multi-pace system reminiscent of Coe/Martin. Coach Vigil was at one time a professor at Adams State College and I really enjoyed spending long afternoons in Mammoth Lakes learning from him all about exercise physiology and altitude training.
"Well, shit, ya need to get tough, ya candyass!" - Vigil.

Feeling isolated and unconnected after several months in beautiful Mammoth Lakes, I opted to move back to Minneapolis and train with Team USA Minnesota, coached by Dennis Barker. Dennis' training system is very similar to Coach Vigil's, so it was an easy transition.
"You know you ran hard when you're bleeding at the end." - D-Dog.

While in Minneapolis, I began coaching at Edina High School just for something to keep me occupied, and found that it really captured my interest. Coaching HSers is tricky because sometimes you'll get varsity sophomores who decide that a poker game is preferable to practice, or captains who have marched for 6 hours at band practice before coming to run, so you learn to be responsive, adaptive, and hopefully inspirational. Once an opportunity to coach at Notre Dame arose, I knew I had to take it, so in August 2006 I packed up and moved back to South Bend.

Since arriving in South Bend, I've been coaching myself. My post-collegiate PR's so far are 7:49.56 3000m, 8:36.12 3000mSC, and 28:59 road 10k. I have competed in 5 World Cross Country Championships and on 4 occasions finished in the top 5 at USA Indoor Championships 3000m. I have competed all over the United States as well as in:
Belgium (the Delaware of Europe... just kidding Belgies, you know I love you),
France,
England,
Wales,
Ireland,
Northern Ireland (not as violent as it sounds, actually it's really nice),
Switzerland (definitely my favorite),
Sweden (wait, maybe Sweden is my favorite),
Russia (long story),
Japan (konnichiwa, b$%#*es!),
Jamaica (Kingston is not quite as nice as that resort you went to on Spring Break),
and Canada (who knew the loonie would one day kill the dollar).

My current coaching philosophy is a blend of the scientific, demanding multi-pace system of my pre- and post-college experiences, together with the hard-nosed volume ethic of my collegiate running. I write and administer training schedules not only for myself but also for the Notre Dame mid-distance guys and for my fiancee, Georganne Way, who is a national-level mid-distance runner. My other coaching duties at ND include a lot of recruiting, helping out with the distance guys, working with the steeplechasers, home meet preparation/ distance entries, and away meet distance entries.

The next article you'll see from me will be more training-based, and again, if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see, just say so.

"Break Their Souls." - me.