Holistic Competitive Training for Masters Track & Field

"Ek Atma Sarva Bhutantaratma" - Sanskrit Saying

As part of any competitive training in any athletic sport, it is important to have a holistic focus which emphasizes a balanced health, wellness, well-being, workout and fitness program. Athletes in their own individual way, especially at Masters level (age 30+) Track & Field, must also be “finely tuned” while always adhering to basic training fundamentals of competitive Track & Field while maintaining proper health and lifestyle. Special care must be taken to ensure proper diet, rest, exercise, balance, and motivation during competitive training resulting in "Unity of Spirit-Mind-Body".

For many, performance, sustainability and longevity are key parameters. Thus, a holistic focus, on-the-track as well as off-the-track, on competitive training and fitness must be goal based and results oriented. This includes highly advanced state-of-the-art methods which must be effectively and properly leveraged while ensuring proper good health being always paramount. Bottom-line; it is all about focus on proper good health rather than just definitive success and actual performance during competition. 

Holistic focus consists of a daily, weekly and monthly workout schedule which should be prepared at the start of the season and updated and / or modified as necessary as the Masters Track & Field competition events schedule progresses.

It should be noted that many athletes at Masters level have to continually deal with and often overcome natural effects of aging, risk of constant injuries, as well as any ongoing health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and other such pre-existing medical conditions and ailments. Again proper good health is paramount.

On a personal-level, during various speed, interval and distance workouts and competition, there are repetitive signs of deep exhaustion, nausea, stress, strain and fatigue which are continual and ongoing since my earlier competitive days at Herbert Hoover High School, Glendale Community College and University of Southern California where I was basically battling early signs of diabetes, nephrotic syndrome and other health issues (all diagnosed in later years including various forms of fatigue; metabolic, neuro-muscular and central nervous system etc.). I was not at-par with any of the many championship-level and elite athletes on the various teams.

Different combinations of traditional aerobics and conventional resistance workouts are also an essential part of the specific Masters Track & Field events and can be further enhanced with proper diet and rest as well as ample stretching. Additional holistic health and wellness benefits can be realized by incorporating various proven alternative methods such as; Yoga (Vinyasa, Hatha, Iyengar, Core, Atma, Bhakti, Jnana etc.), Pranayama (Deep / Rhythmic / Alternate Nostril Breathing), Ayurveda (All Natural / Herbal) and; Sadhana (Concentration, Contemplation, Meditation).

It is important to have a definitive plan and fine-tune the Masters Track & Field training, health and fitness program as required in order to realize the best-fit while achieving desirable results during actual competition. As always in life, there are really no short-cuts, but sheer hard work, while undertaking any kind of physical fitness or competitive training program and an optimal balance must be maintained while never compromising proper good health. Holistic focus includes, but not limited to, the following:

Relaxation

·         Introspection, Self-Evaluation, Self-Confidence & Efficacy

·         Results Oriented Goal Setting & Metrics

·         Structural, Cardio-Pulmonary & Muscle System

·         Advanced Visual & Imaging Simulation

·         Proven & Advanced Alternative Methods

·         Proven External Therapy Techniques

Flexibility

·         Static & Dynamic Stretching

·         Overall Nutrition & Diet

·         Direct Impact on Stress Management

·         Advanced Coaching Methods (Arthur Lydiard, Jim Ryun, Laszlo Tabori etc.)

·         Plyometrics & Related Techniques

Stress Management

·         Top Performance, Success & Results

·         Underlying Causes of Stress

·         Emotional & Mental

·         Daily & Lifestyle

·         Fitness & Training

·         Pre & Post Competition

·         Ways to Deal with Stress

·         Physical & Mental Fitness & Cross-Training

·         Nutrition & Diet

·         Break from Mundane & Monotony

·         Alternative Methods, Therapies & Techniques

Holistic Benefits of Yoga

·         Focus on being firm, relaxed and extended

·         Leverage poses, postures, breathing and meditation

·         Muscular (Flexibility, Endurance, Strength)

·         Core Strength

·         Release and Reduction in Stress & Strain

·         Cardio-Pulmonary Development

In summary, holistic focus on competitive training for Masters Track & Field addresses various forms of aerobic, anaerobic, and resistance training coupled with nutrition.  By leveraging holistic methods, better health, fitness, wellness, well-being and competitive goals can be properly achieved in a truly safer and sustainable manner while reducing the risk of injury and other related negative factors associated with some other strenuous physical fitness or training programs.

It is really up to the individual’s needs and goals and key is to enjoy good health and have fun while training and competing.

The purpose of any and all mentoring, focusing on holistic wellness, health, sports, fitness, nutrition, yoga, ayurveda and related is to promote healthy lifestyles and balance between Spirit-Mind-Body. This includes any and all associated proven processes, methods, techniques, therapies which may also include educational purposes with the goal of creating awareness and disseminating information. All information on the Website in no way precludes the mandatory need for seeking definitive prior advice, diagnosis and/or treatment from a qualified medical physician and/or specialist related to Spirit-Mind-Body fitness and/or training program(s). Prior to starting any Spirit-Mind-Body fitness and/or training program(s), it is mandatory to get a thorough examination by a qualified medical physician and/or specialist. In addition, a medical physician and/or specialist’s approval must be obtained prior to undertaking any Spirit-Mind-Body fitness and/or training program and as well as continual examination(s) by a medical physician and/or specialist during the entire duration and course of undertaking any Spirit-Mind-Body fitness and/or training program(s).