INTELLIGENCE

is in abundance. However, intelligence without discipline is useless and can be destructive.

Discipline is the key to making intelligence work to its potential. I was speaking to Ed Burke today about training, taking time off, cross training for running and the overall mental approach to making and maintaining a successful running career.

First and foremost, for those who do not know, Edmund Burke is almost 40 and has been running at a very high level here in DC for 15 years. In fact, over those 15 years, his times for 5 and 10k have not really gotten slower. I remember when he and Philippe Rolly would battle it out at the St Patrick's day 10k years and years ago. He ran 31 minutes then and he runs 31 minutes now. He is the Assistant track coach at AU and is one of the nicest guys around.

I saw him at the Turkey Trot where we chatted about training and such.

At every race he runs, he is always a threat to win and or place very high. He does not race much, but when he does, its for real.

Upon asking him about his tricks to maintaining a long and positive running life, he simply applies a very basic and simple formula.

Follow a basic training program, don't overdue it, don't race or run hard on weary legs and always take time off from hard exercise to allow the legs to properly heal.

After some hard headedness, i am following that advice.

When I asked him about cross training, he said he does some yoga and aqua jogging. Not much, though.

A holistic approach to sport is what i gathered from his description. It keeps the mind, the body and soul whole and complete.