Usain Bolt ended his glittering career in a rather unceremonious fashion at these 2017 World Championships. He could only manage a bronze in the 100m final with American Justin Gatlin winning Gold. In the 4x100m relay final he could only run a few strides before falling in a heap on the track due to a hamstring injury. While Usain’s career came to an end at these championships, Allyson is not done yet. She plans to extend her career at least through 2020 for her 5th Olympic Games in Tokyo.

How is it that Allyson has out lasted Usain?  Both are 31 years old and veterans of 6 World Championships. Both are sprinters and relay specialists with many dramatic races and great accomplishments. The difference may well be in the coaching philosophy each athlete follows.

Allyson is coached by Bobby Kersee, the most successful track and field coach of all time. His athletes have won at least one gold medal at each of the last 9 Olympic Games, and over 60 medals total. He coached his wife, Jackie Joyner Kersee, through 5 Olympic Games to become the greatest female Track and Field athlete of all time. His success, year after year for nearly 4 decades is rooted in not only a scientific approach to training, but more importantly, a rigorous system of recovery and injury prevention.

Longevity in sport requires athletes to spend more time and energy on active recovery strategies than hard work. Every elite athlete works hard, but too few focus as much energy on recovery. For over 35 years, Bobby has relied on PHASE IV training and recovery strategies to keep his athletes healthy and winning medals.