San Diego, CA —  I recently watched a documentary about 1960s Australian running great Ron Clarke, a true phenomenon in his day now known primarily for breaking records while never winning an Olympic gold medal.  Especially intriguing in the film was a quote from his  countryman John Landy — second man ever under 4:00 in the mile — who sent young Ron a letter just as Clarke was gaining national  recognition.

“Not giving you sessions,” Clarke read from the five-page missive, “but describing the way you cope with training, really, the essence of simplicity. ‘Don’t train too hard, don’t make it too easy’. Just in that balance.” (more…)