online
offline
Forum postsTotal 20 posts found, here are 3 latest posts:
Topic: Could you sweep the 1896 games?
Posted: Sep 03, 2011
I've heard people say that the first step in becoming an elite decathlete is to be able to score over 800 points in each event. That seems like quite an under taking to me. You could theoretically break the decathlon world record without scoring over 800 in every single event.

I think we need some baby steps on the way to elite decathlonism.

How about trying to sweep the 1896 Olympics? Below are the gold medal individual event results from the first modern Olympics in 1896.

100m - 12.0
LJ - 6.35
SP - 11.22
HJ - 1.81
400m - 54.2

110H - 17.6
DT - 29.15
PV - 3.30
JT - 54.83 (1908 winner)
1500m - 4:33.2

Score: 5967

This should be totally doable for aspiring decathletes and/or masters level athletes.

For the next baby step, maybe try to beat Jim Thorpe in all 10 events, his numbers from the first decathlon gold in 1912 are below. Jim falls short of beating all 10 of the 1896 individual event winners, but not by much, he was perfect through the first 7 events.

100m - 11.2
LJ - 6.79
SP - 12.89
HJ - 1.87
400m - 52.2

110H - 15.6
DT - 36.98
PV - 3.25
JT - 45.70
1500m - 4:40.0

Score: 6649

Topic: What attracts you to the decathlon?
Posted: Aug 31, 2011
Just wondering why we're all here. I mean, on a decathlon forum. What attracts you to this event?

-
There's a few things for me. First, I like Track & Field in general, because there's no deception in the competition and no spin in the coverage. If you run the fastest time, you win. It's very honest. No room for nonsense.

Then within track there are a couple of reasons I like the decathlon event. I like the checks and balances. It's not one of those events that you can win with an extreme body type. Some events favor a lighter body, some a heavier, some longer, some shorter. Some events can be mastered in different ways. The decathlon is more about honestly knowing yourself and then planning and executing accordingly. You can't use steroids, or any other substance to win the decathlon. Anything you attemped to use might help you in one event, but hurt you in another. There'd be no point in cheating.

I also like that when you learn the decathlon you learn all the events. That's my favorite part actually. I like all the events. Even stuff like the hammer, triple jump or steeple chase that aren't part of the decathlon. I want to master all events. The Decathlon is a great excuse for working on at least 10 events.
Re: Javelin
Posted: July 21, 2011
Do you reach for the ground on that step or wait for it to come to you? Maybe try waiting for the ground to come to you with that step.

If the center of gravity of your linear momentum is ahead of your foot plant in the javelin you'll likely naturally correct it. That could explain your hop. Maybe try waiting on the plant until the ground comes to you.

I'm not an expert though. This is just a thought.

Comments
Chris Solinsky, at 160+ pounds, might have an easier time throwing the shot than Hicham El Guerrouj, while giving away less than 10 seconds in the 1500m.