Jesuit Coach Walt Lange's review of Make the Leap

In Make the Leap Bryan Green focuses on the mental factor as the primary determinant of running success (“think better, train better”), creating his own terminology to show how our minds can work for and against us.  

Green cites numerous athletes from his running days at UCLA who “made the leap” from being just good, to the ranks of the elite. He defines the mental skills required for this, and the practices to be avoided, often in a humorous vein.

“Engagement” is one requirement for Making the Leap and one this high school coach emphasizes. 

One part of engagement Green calls the “Hidden Training Program” is as important as the actual running program itself. It is what the athlete opts to do for the 22 daily hours not running. Green gives examples of what choices the runner has in that regard and how important they are. Meb Keflezighi is cited as an outstanding example of someone making the right choices as student and athlete.

Among other behaviors discussed are Responsibility, the Growth Mindset, Discipline, Analysis, and Perseverance. These are all behaviors to know and practice. For Perseverance, Green offers Calvin Coolidge’s statement:  “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence….”, words that were on a poster in this retired teacher’s classroom for many years.

The book is an excellent resource for both runners and coaches to study and employ in their efforts to maximize potential and is applicable to all areas of life: athletic, professional, and personal.

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Walt Lange is one of the most decorated high school distance coaches in California. He led Jesuit High School to the D2 California State Cross Country Championship 9 times and coached seven athletes to State Track and Field Championships at 1600m and 3200m. He was named the 2010 NHSCA National Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year.