Learning From Cerutty.

Learning from Cerutty.

Part of learning any subject is to do a deep dive into the history of the subject. Physics students will follow the discoveries of luminaries such as Galileo Galilei, Newton, Einstein etc. The reason for this is that their knowledge builds. Newton put it this way, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants”. Anyone studying the science and art of coaching will inevitably bump into Percy Cerutty.

One of my all-time favorite running stories involves Percy Cerutty and his star runner, Herb Elliot. Cerutty had coached Elliot to race in the 1500m at the 1960 Olympic Games. As part of the process, Cerutty, now an older, gray haired runner, was spotted warming up on a track outside of the main stadium. With no official timekeeper or a large crowd to encourage him, he set off to run the 1500m as fast as he could. A few minutes later, he finished his race and dropped to the ground, a bundle of pain and exhaustion. His run sent a message to his star runner, Herb Elliot, saying, “You might be able to run faster than me, but you will never be able to put in more effort.”

Elliot went on to win the gold medal at the 1500m event.

So, what is it about Percy Cerutty’s approach that I find so fascinating? Much of it dealt with the way he saw the world and inspired his athletes to see the world. Let’s start with some of his concepts, such as his Stotan view. This term was coined by combining two terms: Stoic and Spartan.

The Stoic View.
The main tenet of the Stoic philosophy is to focus one’s energy and attention on the things that are within their control, such as their own thoughts, actions, and attitudes. By accepting that certain things are beyond their control, individuals can cultivate a sense of inner freedom and avoid getting caught up in unproductive worry or anxiety. Let’s have a look at some quotes from Epictetus:

• “Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not.”
• “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”
• “Man is not disturbed by events, but by the views he takes of them.”

Cerutty’s athletes were taught to control what they could control and let go of the rest. (For anyone interested in learning more about Stoicism, I would suggest following Ryan Holiday on social media as he provides a good introduction to the philosophy).

The Spartans.
The Spartans were an ancient Greek warrior society that emerged in the 8th century BC, known for their military prowess and austere way of life. According to legend, the city of Sparta was founded by the legendary hero Heracles and became one of the most powerful city-states in Greece, with a military that was feared and respected throughout the region.

Spartan boys began their military training at the age of 7 and continued until the age of 20 when they were considered full citizens and eligible to join the army. Spartan women also received physical training and were expected to be strong and healthy in order to bear healthy sons for the state.

Although this may seem strange to the modern mind, the main takeaway is that these people were incredibly tough, both physically and mentally, and this has left an enduring legacy.

One famous movie that depicted the Spartans is “300,” a 2006 film directed by Zack Snyder that is based on the Battle of Thermopylae. This conflict was between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, and the invading Persian army of Xerxes I in 480 BCE. King Leonidas, played by Gerard Butler, is portrayed as a stoic and charismatic leader. The movie contributed to a better understanding of Spartan culture.

Cerutty combined the concepts of Stoicism and Spartan toughness to come up with the term “Stotan.” His athletes understood that working with him required a profound sense of toughness, both physically and mentally.

Uninhibited Running.

Cerutty was fascinated by the natural, uninhibited running form of children and animals. He believed that many adults adopted a stiff running form, which reduced their ability to inhale air and perform at their best. As a coach, he worked with his athletes to develop a relaxed and flowing body, focusing on every detail from the lips to the hands.

In his book “Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance,” author Alex Hutchinson notes that many elite athletes run with a relaxed lower lip. Hutchinson explains that this detail may seem insignificant, but it can reduce overall muscular tension and promote relaxation throughout the body, improving performance.

Cerutty’s coaching philosophy aligns with Hutchinson’s observation, emphasizing the importance of relaxation and flow for optimal performance. A relaxed runner is a fast runner, as evidenced by the success of Cerutty’s athletes and the insights of modern researchers.

Strength Training. 

Cerutty believed that there were five essential types of training to improve human movement:

1. Running: Cerutty considered running to be the most natural and fundamental human movement, and essential for developing cardiovascular endurance and overall fitness.
2. Jumping: Cerutty believed that jumping was crucial for developing explosive power, coordination, and balance.
3. Climbing: Cerutty believed that climbing was a functional movement that could help to develop strength, flexibility, and overall athleticism. However, caution should be taken to avoid injury risks.
4. Throwing: Cerutty believed that throwing required coordination, timing, and explosive power, and was essential for developing upper-body strength and overall athleticism.
5. Wrestling: Cerutty believed that wrestling was important for developing strength, agility, and overall fitness, as well as for building mental toughness and resilience.

While athletes should be involved in some form of strength training, caution should be taken to avoid injury risks associated with wrestling and climbing. Elements of functional fitness such as jumping, throwing, and climbing can be incorporated, and individuals should determine through trial and error what type of strength training works best for them.

Cerutty emphasized the importance of hill sprints for leg strength and power, sand running for lower leg muscles, plyometric drills like box jumps and push-ups for upper body and core strength, skipping for lower leg strength, squats for overall lower body strength, and lunges.

Food.
Cerutty would be rolling in his grave if he could see the kind of food we ate today. He believed that running was a primal activity, and that an athlete’s diet should reflect what people ate centuries ago: unprocessed and simple foods. According to him, the longer the food label, the shorter your life.

Michael Pollan’s book “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto” sums up his philosophy in seven words: “Eat food, mainly plants, not too much.” To fully grasp the concept, the first two words, “Eat food,” refer to natural and unprocessed foods found on the outskirts of the supermarket, such as apples, eggs, meat, fish, nuts, and avocados. Cerutty would have agreed wholeheartedly with Pollan’s seven-word sentence.

I will refrain from commenting on his training structure as track athletes generally follow a more structured approach to their year, with distinct phases of base training, speed sharpening, and race season. However, I do believe that the guidelines mentioned above are wise and should be integrated into the daily lives of athletes.

“Nothing worthwhile was ever accomplished without pain, without full effort, without a price.”
Percy Cerutty. 

I hope that this has been helpful and interesting. Pay the price to become the best athlete that you can become.

Regards,

Mike Roscoe.
Kinesiologist and Coach.