A Exciting Scientific Discovery
As scientific knowledge continues to expand in leaps and bounds, it's nice to know that some of this intellectual enquiry is being directed in the direction of our humble sport. Esteemed and highly regarded research scientist Dr. V.Shelamovski, from the University of Goblikok in the German town of Nonasence has just published his much anticipated paper on 'The determinants of a high achieving athlete'. KSB has been lucky to receive a copy of this research before it is published.
Dr. V.Shelamovski 3/4/2010
KSB’s best athlete. A scientific approach.
Despite initial appearances, there is actually a close interrelation between our preferred sport of running and the field of science. Our elite athletes often call on science in their endeavors to shave seconds and indeed hundredths of seconds off already outstanding performances. One connection between science and running that is often overlooked is the intrapersonal symbiosis of athlete and scientist. As determined athletes, we must sometimes also adopt the role (or at least some of the qualities), of a scientist. We seem to adopt scientific method in the derivation of the perfect training regime. We must be dispassionate and scientific when carrying out post race analysis. The similarities by no means end there.
A successful scientist is measured not by the accuracy to which they can perform a titration under standard laboratory conditions (SLC), (or under the more challenging conditions of standard temperature and pressure (STP) in account of the shivering coefficient being fairly substantial at 0°C). Rather, success in the field of science is realised through publications in scientific journals. The volume and caliber of published work determines ones position on the spectra of scientific genius. Given the apparent close link between science and running, I put it to you: perhaps one’s running prowess can be measured in terms of their inclusion in running literature. If it’s what the scientists are doing, than surely it must be more scientific than conventional gauges such as comparing PBs and performances at national and international competition.
As runners can sometimes be even less literary than scientists, we must broaden our concept of “publication” and “article”. These terms must be taken to encompass any inclusion in a reputable piece of running literature. As too few online sources are reputable, (with the notable exception of the document), they shall be completely overlooked. Comparisons between athletes can be derived by taking into consideration both the number and quality of their inclusions in running literature. For example a largish unimpeded photograph in a magazine will trump several small partial photographs or a listing amongst race results as it is a much more substantial inclusion. Consequently an athlete with such an inclusion can be deemed superior.
I guess then the obvious question is: Who is KSB’s greatest athlete, adopting this scientific method of determination?
Scanning through all reputable running publications for KSB inclusions would be an excessive, time consuming and daunting task, (even given Australia’s apparent lack of such material). So in determining KSBs top athletes I will adopt the scientifically recognised method of sampling. Just about all issues of “ Australia’s most comprehensive running magazine” R4YL (Run for your life), dating from issue 1 in August 2005 until present were scrutinised in forming the following ranking. In doing so I have been able to irrefutably prove that I have had way too much spare time over the holidays.
Below are most prolific KSB R4YL celebrities and their inclusions.
Sean Stevens:
a feature photo at the 2009 Burnley half marathon as well as a listing in the race results. Head visible in a photo at the start of the 2006 Ballarat 8 Km XC race. Fairly visible in a photo at the start of 2009 Geelong XC race. Name listed amongst the results for the same race. (1)
Lisa Stanton-Smith:
a feature photo at the 2008 U20 athletics champs. Listed in the results for the 2008 Briggs Athletics Classic. Mentioned in an article about her win in U20 race at Ballarat in 2008. Name listed amongst the results for the 2008 Sandown classic. Name listed amongst the results for the 2008 Run for the Kids. Listed amongst the results for the 2009 Melbourne Mile. (2)
Micheal McIntyre:
an unimpeded photograph and listing in the results for the great ocean road marathon in 2005. Visible in a photo taken at the start of the 2006 Sandown classic. Visible in photo at the start of the 2009 Melbourne marathon. Listed amongst the results of the 2006 Melbourne marathon. (3)
Elise Aplin:
fairly visible in a photo at the start of 2009 Geelong XC race. Name listed twice amongst the results for the 2008 University games. Name listed in the results for the 3000m steeplechase at the 2008 Australian athletics championships. (4)
Mark Blicavs:
listing in the results for the 2006 Sandown classic 5 Km event. Listed in the results for the 2008 Sri Chinmoy princess park fun run. Race result listing for the 2007 and 08 Herald Sun Run for the Kids fun run. (Note: Blitz also appeared elsewhere however these occurred after his transferral to Athletics Essendon). (5)
Dave Ireland:
In a prominent position in a photo of the 2007 U18 state 800m champs. Head visible in a photo of the 2008 U18 national 3000m champs (refer to image below). Head visible in a photo of the 2009 U20 3000m Zadopek race. (6)
Steph Kondogonis:
fairly visible in a photo at the start of 2009 Geelong XC race. Name listed amongst the results for the 2008 Sandown classic. Results listing for the 2009 Australian XC champs. (7)
Victor Shelamoff:
Pete Gaffney:
(9).
Joe Angel:
Prominently shown in a photo at the start of the 2006 Ballarat 8 Km XC race. (10)
Also worthy of mention are the following athletes:
Mitch Brown:
in a prominent position in a photo at the start of the 2007 cross country relays. Mitch also features elsewhere however these occur after his transferral to Athletics Essendon.
Marco Pitascano:
not so prominently featured in a photo at the start of the 2007 cross country relays.
Jamie Ruta:
race listing at the 2007 Vic Champs in the 3000m steeplechase.
Bianca Share:
name listed in the results for the 3000m steeplechase at the 2008 Australian athletics championships.
This ranking is by no means definitive or for that matter accurate. Apologies to anybody whose hard fought inclusion in R4YL was not acknowledged.
