2008 Woodie Awards
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Whether China or Eugene, Radcliffe coaches
Oregon strength coach trains OTC Elite Olympians one week, back in Eugene the next
by Andrew Greif | Sports Editor |
He was disappointed to not watch them run in person, but understood it was unavoidable.
"It's like I was telling the football coaches, it's like coaching Monday through Friday but not going into the stadium on Saturday for the game," Radcliffe said. "But I still enjoy the Monday through Friday part."
An Oregon strength coach for 23 years, Radcliffe was courted by OTC Elite to show the athletes how to warm up more efficiently before races, as well as emphasizing core strength routines and flexibility and mobility. He would typically meet with Symmonds two to three times a week around nine in the morning for their sessions together.
He realized quickly how much it meant to the athletes, many of whom had never been through such training.
"I found out is that it was a lot more meaningful to them because it wasn't something they had to do, it was actually a privilege," he said. "I never had to worry about them being on time or not showing up or not being accountable."
It was the first time Radcliffe had been to China after traveling to Korea twice and Japan four times.
Although Gagliano will not return as OTC Elite coach next season because of family health problems, Symmonds told Radcliffe he wants him as a coach for as long as he runs, which Radcliffe said he's agreed to on another handshake deal.
"It's like I was telling the football coaches, it's like coaching Monday through Friday but not going into the stadium on Saturday for the game," Radcliffe said. "But I still enjoy the Monday through Friday part."
An Oregon strength coach for 23 years, Radcliffe was courted by OTC Elite to show the athletes how to warm up more efficiently before races, as well as emphasizing core strength routines and flexibility and mobility. He would typically meet with Symmonds two to three times a week around nine in the morning for their sessions together.
He realized quickly how much it meant to the athletes, many of whom had never been through such training.
"I found out is that it was a lot more meaningful to them because it wasn't something they had to do, it was actually a privilege," he said. "I never had to worry about them being on time or not showing up or not being accountable."
It was the first time Radcliffe had been to China after traveling to Korea twice and Japan four times.
Although Gagliano will not return as OTC Elite coach next season because of family health problems, Symmonds told Radcliffe he wants him as a coach for as long as he runs, which Radcliffe said he's agreed to on another handshake deal.
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