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Track and Field not always a specialized sport

Decathlon and other events prove to be a big challenge

by Joshua Weinstock on September 2, 2009

What could be a greater achievement than winning a gold medal in the Deaflympics? Winning several gold medals. In sports such as athletics, bowling, cycling, and swimming, American athletes hope to bring home multiple medals. For athletes to contend in multiple events, they must prepare to put their endurance to the test. In an exceptional situation, an athlete could participate in 10 events for one shot at a gold medal. Athletics athlete Craig Saalfeld will represent the United States in the decathlon. He says the decathlon poses unique challenges for athletes. “The decathlon takes a toll on the body, and I will have to adapt between events to prepare for the next one” Saalfeld said. The challenge of the decathlon is to be able to remain focused on five events a day for two days, U.S. Athletics Head Coach Thomas Withrow said. Decathlon athletes have to diversify their training because of the demanding nature of the event. Versatility is one of the keys to success, and Saalfeld trains for the decathlon by splitting his training regime into events that correspond with each other, such as the 400-meter and 1,500-meter runs, high jump and pole vault, or javelin and discus. Withrow has four specialist coaches and a floater working with the team. Each of the coaches is responsible for a particular specialty: throwing, hurdles and jumps, sprinting, or middle to long distance. Most athletes will stay with one coach — sometimes two — for the duration of their training. However, Saalfeld will work with all five coaches to prepare for the decathlon. “Basically, Craig is his own coach because he knows what he needs to concentrate on the events that needs improvements,” sprinting coach Jesse Bailey said. “By doing that, he will join in with the rest of his teammates during practice based on his schedule.” “My workout is arranged day by day and week by week into speed, endurance, jumping and throwing to help me prepare for the Decathlon,” Saalfeld said. Often, Saalfeld will do other drills that help him prepare for several events. For instance, running hurdles will help him prepare for the 100-meter run and long jump, and throwing the shot put will help prepare him for the javelin and discus. Although Saalfield practices all decathlon events, since it’s difficult for an athlete to place first in every event, he focuses on his best events in order to have a better chance at placing first instead of in the middle of the pack in a particular event. In addition to the decathlon, Saalfeld will also compete in three individual events. However, his coach said he is mindful that Saalfield will need to ration his energy. The decathlon is a “mentally tough competition, and the athlete must rest and conserve as much energy as possible,” Withrow said. In order to better conserve his energy, Saalfeld has chosen specific events that complement his best decathlon events, and will compete in the high jump along with the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. In Athletics, athletes often participate in numerous events that resemble each other. A sprinter might compete in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter runs. A long-distance runner would cover the 800-meter and 1,500-meter runs, and a jumper would tackle the long jump, triple jump and high jump. “A sprinter’s body is able to handle 100 meters, and the same form for the 100 goes for the 200 meters just as well,” Saalfeld said. Of 20 U.S. Athletics Team members participating in the 2009 Deaflympics, only seven will compete in one event. Nine will compete in three events or more. Along with team captain Saalfeld, the other team captains, Amber Nash and Michael Saalfeld, will also compete in multiple events. Nash will run in the 100- and 400-meter hurdles in addition to the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. Michael Saalfeld, Craig Saalfeld’s twin brother, will compete in the 800-meter run and 4x400m relay. Not many casual fans are familiar with the strategy aspect of Athletics, Withrow said. “We don’t look at just the athletes’ ability in events, but the scheduling,” he said. “I would rather have an athlete focus on an event they have the best chance to win a medal. If the athlete is not likely to finish in the top, then it is not worth it to take their focus away from the event they have the best chance to win in, because I only want the best of the best. It is a calculated risk.”
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