Mark Wetmore is a legend in the field of cross country. At the University of Colorado, he became the first coach in NCAA history to guide a men's team to a national title, a women's team to a national title, a male to the individual title, and a female to an individual title. What makes his success remarkable, he does not take foreign runners who may already be 22 years old and already developed as elite distance runners. He does it with 17-18 year olds who must be developed.
In an interview he had an interesting perspective that I think applies to other sports (ie. basketball).
"In cross country, champions are determined by September 1. The work done on their own in June, July, and August is the key. Great runners are the ones who love it enough to run on their own."
It reminds me of the Bob Knight quote, "Everyone wants to win, but only a few are willing to prepare to win."
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