Q
Q stands for quality. Quality is a measure of perfect. Each day, each training session we should strive for the highest quality possible. Start with perfect effort that should not be difficult. Effort sets up the outcome. Quality effort and intention leads to quality outcome. Quality training outcomes in turn yield quality competition results. To asses progress in training at the conclusion of each training session rate you quality of training on a scale of one to ten. One being the poorest and ten being perfection. Focus on the process to achieve the desired outcome. Quality is the key to optimizing the process.

Feeding the Beast
The beast – The Internet, cable television, YouTube all have an insatiable appetite for training porn. There is no filter, no checks and balances. Quote a scientific study out of context and you have the “evidence based” research needed to validate the misinformation. The fundamental training principles that I learned over twenty years still hold true. We need to follow them – not some wacked fad based pseudo scientific training that hurts more people than it helps. Even if it doesn’t hurt, ask yourself does it help?  For validation look at results that are consistent over time, methods that top coaches and athletes have used to win medals and set records. Those things do not happen by chance and by chasing Internet training fantasies. Certainly we should innovate and challenge conventional wisdom, but start with a clear understanding of the basics and build from there. Let’s stop feeding the beast, except at prescribed feeding times, much like the animals at the zoo.