Colin Powell on Leadership Video

November 20, 2009 by Jimson Lee

I am in San Francisco for a Technology conference and I had the pleasure to attend a one hour live session with Gen. Colin Powell (ret). 19,000 attendees for the conference and only 8000 seats. I was one of the lucky ones.

Who the heck is Colin Powell?

Colin Powell needs no introduction. He was a 4 star General in the USA army, National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and United States Secretary of State.

His talk was scheduled for 4:15pm, but the attendees were buzzing with excitement all morning… his presence in the building makes an impact. He carries the same aura as Usain Bolt prior to the 100 meter Olympic or World Championship final.

There are a few American patriotic “rah rah” moments (for those who are not American) that creates a huge applause from the audience, but other than that, if you are going to listen to one podcast this year, this is the one to listen to. You’ll have to listen to this several times as there are so many take home messages.

He is a great speaker and his topic was leadership and how it impacts today’s future.

He speaks about what it takes to be a leader, including contributing to society, always taking care of one’s “troops”, being a disciplinarian when necessary (coaches, take note!), and most importantly, being trustworthy.

It doesn’t matter if you are a CEO, Head Coach, Parent, Teacher, or ordinary tax paying citizen, this video is for everyone.

In my opinion, it is one of the most inspirational speeches that I’ve heard in a long time.

Here it is on YouTube in its entirety (just under one hour):

Written by Jimson Lee · Filed Under Coaching, Featured Story, Podcasts, Success, Videos

4×100 Meter and 4×110 Yard Relay Trivia

November 20, 2009 by Jimson Lee

Here is some history of the 4 x 100 meter world record progression.

The first time the 40 second barrier was broken was in 1936 Berlin Olympics with Jesse Owens, Ralph Metcalfe, Foy Draper, and Frank Wykoff setting a WR in 39.8 seconds.

At the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, the 4×100m WR was 39.5 set by the American team anchored by Bobby Morrow. 39.5 was the standard until the American team lowered it to 39.1 in 1961. That team consisted of Hayes Jones, Francis Budd, Charles Frazier, and Paul Drayton.

Fast forward to 1964, where the USA’s team of Paul Drayton, Gerald Ashworth, Richard Stebbins, and Robert Hayes lowered that time to 39.0 at the Tokyo Olympics

You can see that video here, as Bob Hayes’ anchor leg was the talk of the ~~day~~ ~~Olympics~~ decade.

4×100 meters vs. 4×110 yards

A little known fact back then was the 4×110 yard relay results were considered for WR ratification because the 4×110 yard is LONGER than the 4×100 meters.

110 yards = 100.584 meters, or 440 yard dash = 402.336 meters. The 400 meters is exactly 1312.34 feet or 437.2 yards.

In 1967, the University of Southern California broke the 39 second barrier on the relay distance greater than 4×100 meters. The 38.7 performance was set in altitude at Provo, Utah. That team consisted of Earl McCulloch, Fred Kuller, O. J. Simpson, and Lennox Miller.

Not only was the race in yards (over 2 meters further), but it had a Jamaican as the anchor, making it the last mixed non-National team to hold a WR in the relay.

Of special note is the infamous OJ Simpson, who needs no introduction. (**cough cough see http: slash slash escape cough cough**)

Another interesting piece of trivia is Bill Bowerman’s University of Oregon 4×110 yard relay team with Harry Jerome also tied the existing WR for the relay.

Today, the WR stands at 37.10 set by Jamaica at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

Written by Jimson Lee · Filed Under Olympic History, Track and Field

Building a Better Runner DVD Giveaway

November 19, 2009 by Jimson Lee

Last year, I reviewed the DVD Building a Better Runner by RunningDVDs.com. This training DVD was produced by Coach Jay Johnson, the middle distance coach at the University of Colorado, and Mike Smith, the head cross country coach and middle distance coach at Kansas State University.

This is a great product as it doesn’t focus on selling a gadget or over promote core stability and balance training. It just focuses on building a better runner.

The DVD includes iPod ready MP4 file formats, so I downloaded them and now I’m ready to go to passport office and motor vehicle branch and wait in line for hours!

I have 3 copies to give away to celebrate USA Thanksgiving next Thursday, November 26.

Contest Rules: All you have to do to enter is comment in the bottom of this post.

The comment can explain why you want the DVD, or simply why you should be thankful on Thanksgiving. Or just drop by and say hello.

The contest will end Friday Nov 27, 2009 at 9pm Pacific and the winner will be drawn Monday morning Nov 30.

I will pick 3 readers at Random using Random.org.

More information can be found at RunningDVDs.com

Written by Jimson Lee · Filed Under 800m-Mile, Abs & Core, Coaching, Promotions

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