We’ve celebrated a number of endurance running PB’s in these Fast Friday features, essentially distances 5km and up…
…It’s really exciting to be featuring a success story from the track for a change!
And to add to that excitement; this Fast Friday feature comes with its own National Record!
This is how Danny Monistere ran a PB, twice, in 2 weeks in the 800m on his way to a new American Record in the 4 x 800m relay for men in the 55-59 age group!
Danny started running 43 years ago at the age of 12 focusing on cross country and track in high school. After 2 years of track & cross country at South Eastern Louisiana University he decided to leave the track behind and focus on road running.
Once he was old enough to compete in the USATF Masters Track events, he turned his attention back to track and field and competed in events he was not confident enough to compete in when he was younger.
Danny had always wanted to run steeplechase but was too afraid to ask the coach!
Finally Got To Run Steeplechase
Since then, he has gone on to exceed the All American standard in the steeplechase each year as a masters athlete and has also taken part in some of the field events including long jump, high jump and shot put.
Danny joined us for the Coach Parry Faster Beyond Fifty Masterclass in May 2020 and started training with us shortly thereafter…
…With the initial goal of finding his sub 20 minute 5km form of 40 years back.
But COVID presented Danny with a great opportunity to focus on track events at a time of the year where he usually wouldn’t, with the summer events being pushed out to fall.
Heading Back To The Track
Fast forward to October 2020 at the Texas vs World meet…
Danny combined with 3 other men to set the new American record M55-59 in the 4 x 800m relay.
He took 4 seconds off his previous time running a 2:40 and the team clocking in at 10:44:02 finish!
Two weeks later at the Louisiana Senior Games, Danny took another second off his 800m time (2:39.0) en route to the gold medal.
At the same meet, Danny took silver in the long jump and added another gold in the 1500m (5:45.96). Both of those being his fastest times of the season.
Danny’s successes, as do most, did not come without its struggles…
…Training in Texas during the summer months can be extremely gruelling.
Being that heat and altitude are the two factors that will most influence performance and training, this is always a challenge.
Danny accepted the fact that he would not be hitting some of the training times due to the heat and “stayed the course”.
With the cooler weather settling in now, that outlook is most definitely paying off, and he started to see some of the progress in September.
Even taking this into account, Danny said he has never gone into a race with so much doubt, but despite that, he said he had confidence in the plan, worked the plan and was fortunate enough to pull it all off on race day!
The Key To Danny’s Running Success This Season
Danny attributes training with Coach Parry, and the strength training he does with us, to his success. (To learn more about our training philosophy join us for our upcoming Faster Beyond 50 Masterclass)
“With Coach Parry’s program, Monday is core strength day and no running and Friday is a total rest day.
This has given me permission to be kinder to my body. I would often go 30 or more days without a day off from running. So the program has helped me accept that I’m 55 years old and not 16 and to give my body more time to heal.”
The focus of strength training has helped him stay injury-free and consistent and helped with performance.
In Danny’s words: “In the final 300m of a race on the track, leg lift is so important and my improvement in core strength has helped me in this area”
Now that the track meets are done, Danny can focus on his primary goal of breaking 20:00 in the 5k. He is back on the plan and will attempt this in the next few weeks.
One day Danny also wants to get under 13:00 in the 3000m steeplechase. These times, and what Danny has achieved of late, are all very impressive, but by far his energy and love for running are what inspire me the most.
We have had a number of interactions in the weekly Live Q&A’s and discussions in the forum and his positivity shines through!
Danny says he is in awe of Masters athletes like Wilbur Rogers and Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins who set world records at ages 100 and 103 respectively.
“it’s something that I aspire to do! So, Coach Parry’s “Faster Beyond 50” Training Framework is part of my long term plan to continue running and competing as a Centenarian.”
We at Coach Parry can’t wait to watch you achieve this and inspire runners to achieve far beyond what their age and mind is telling them they are capable of!
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