Comments
Lucille Knox
"The first time I met - or, more accurately, heard - Mike was during the last four kilometres of my second marathon. I was trudging up a hill, ready to quit, when I heard this incredibly loud, gravelly voice: 'Pump your arms, your legs will follow' The advice wasn't for me, but I tried it and thought 'hey, this is working.'
It wasn't until I had run seven marathons, four of them as a run leader, that I signed on with Mike. I did so out of frustration. Although I always felt great during training, I always seemed to choke on race day, defeated by my own negativity. I would start a race with great intentions, but then the little voices in my head would take over. I could be only 10K in and would start thinking 'I can't do this.'
On our first run together, Mike made me look at him and say over and over 'I am strong and powerful.'
I remember laughing and thinking 'this is silly.' But the phrase became one of many mantras that pushed me through what would turn out to be my fastest marathon.
The positive messages came frequently. Mike's weekly schedule would not only tell me what to run, but would be accompanied by inspirational anecdotes and sayings, the things I needed to overcome my self-defeating doubts. Gradually I grew to believe in his methods, and took the messages to heart; I trained hard mile-wise, but even more so mentally.
When race day came, I followed his step-by-step game plan, checking my pace time to try and stay on the script we'd set up. I won't say there weren't moments when doubt crept in, but when they did I was able to banish the voices. When I rounded the final corner and was heading down the last 500 metres I looked up at the clock and almost stopped in my tracks. I couldn't believe it! I took 25 minutes off my last marathon and beat my three-year-old best time in the process."
David Chauvin, age 59
"I have been running for approximately 7 years and I have run a number of marathons. My best time was 3:48. I came to Mike
after the Detroit Marathon (3:58) because I wanted to know if I had reached a maximum plateau or if I could learn to find more
room for improvement. We targeted the Napa Valley Marathon and trained for 3 months together. Mike suggested changes to my form and later he suggested a new shoe choice. He patiently reinforced the improvements and I could feel a difference in my endurance and strength. I arrived at the Napa Valley marathon start line with my normal pre race nerves but I also carried a new confidence. The result (3:38) is even better than I had targeted. Mike has given me some lasting changes to keep me running well for years to come."
Dr. Alan Cook, age 53
"I had been running for 6 or 7 years in 2003 and had run 3 or 4 marathons all between 3:55 and 4:05 but really wanted to make my Boston qualifying time. I signed up with Mike and started a running program which emphasized slower trail running for endurance. Within 10 weeks I noticed two benefits; I actually enjoyed and looked forward to the longer runs and, remained injury free throughout the marathon preparation. On October 10th I noted the third benefit; a smooth 3:32 Boston qualifier!!"
Jeffrey Chand
"I started training with Mike Suminski 6 months prior to my 250KM run across the Sahara desert. I was unsure of how to train for this type of event when I met Mike by chance. He interviewed me to get a sense of what I wanted from myself as a runner and from him as a trainer. He took his time in listening and I thought he truly understood the magnitude of what I was doing. He developed a custom training plan for me that would prepare me for the multi-day event and told me about the things to come. What was even more valuable then the training schedule was Mike's pearls of wisdom. We would run together once a week and during this time Mike would critique and correct my form, advise me on nutrition, and most importantly give me mental tools and techniques to take my running beyond just a physical endeavor. We discussed self-talk, motivation, mental imagery, and focusing. I completed the event successfully but more importantly I was healthy and injury free. There were many fellow athletes that were injured, perhaps permanently but due to Mike's coaching I didn't even have sore muscles to deal with. Thanks Mike for all your help and support! You're the best!"
Linda Tyrrel, age 54
"I have been running since 1995. I have done 30 odd half marathons, 5 marathons. I needed something different in my training to stay interested. New techniques, new runs, new faces, etc. Mike Suminski offered all of these and more, his friendship. I had in 2006 a best race time in the Royal Victoria Marathon and in 2007 a best race time in the First Half marathon in Vancouver. Now I am going to do an Ultra 50KM in May. Thank you Mike for your guidance and enthusiasm to keep me motivated."
more comments ->
|
