If we take motivation out of the equation, of course, I could beat Usain Bolt over a 100-metre dash — I'm just not motivated to do so. But then reality sets in. Usain is different in his muscle composition; we all are. DNA testing is extremely reliable in identifying who you are, but it only partially determines what you can or may become. Like any test, DNA assessments can have anomalies or give false leads, usually due to human error in testing, not the test itself. Testing does not diagnose the human factor; that is for us to determine. However, muscle makeup provides strong indicators as to whether you are built for speed or endurance. Ancient sayings often held substance, though not always.
In our younger days, peer pressure had more influence than it does today, although politicians and defense and prosecution lawyers, in particular, like to sway our opinions and our votes. Judges are beyond such temptation and probably hear enough arguments. The following is written without any intention to sway you, simply to answer a few questions as to why we did not beat Samuel or Sally in the sprint or marathon but won the occupational race, often against the odds.
Our muscles are made up of four main groups. Common talk in the sports arena mentions two groups: fast-twitch and slow-twitch fibres. However, these names are not entirely accurate in explaining why Usain Bolt runs faster than me.
We have fast muscle fibres and slow muscle fibres. The fast fibres are more accurately termed Fast Glycolytic (FG), and the slow fibres are Slow Oxidative (SO). Both are genetically inherited from our forebears, and there's not much we can do about that. If you are predominantly Slow Oxidative, you will excel at long-distance endurance physical work. If you are Fast Glycolytic, you will be better at quick, rapidly concluded physical activities. My muscle makeup is Slow Oxidative, so I was never going to win a 100-metre sprint against the best. However, there are many cases where long-distance athletes beat sprinters over short distances and vice versa.
These FO and SO fibres have little to do with genetics and almost everything to do with training. It never surprises me that Canterbury Rugby starts the season in rough order and then almost always reaches the Grand Finals. Canterbury Rugby's training program, likely influenced by the All Blacks' regime, emphasises specialist training and seasonal peaking. Sir Arthur Lydiard created the aerobic training template that took Sir Peter Snell, Sir John Walker, and Sir Murray Halberg to Olympic gold medals. The All Blacks used a modified version: three months of slow, increasingly long runs and other muscle work to stimulate Slow Glycolytic muscle, two months of hard and fast training to stimulate a bit of both, transitioning to one month of sprint and reflex work to develop Fast Oxidative muscle for peak reflex action.
The three, two, one template was used even when travelling for games — either three, two, one weeks, days, or even hours. Warm-ups followed the same three, two, one principle. Did this training make rugby athletes faster? Yes. Did it give them more stamina? Yes. Did it alter their genetic makeup? No. In modern sports, many coaches have their own agenda for peak performance but are not prepared to adhere to the basics. Ego-driven results are seldom sustained. There should be pressure to ensure a three, two, one plan that works best for the player, not a hodgepodge of living for the moment. Likewise, a judge should plan the year and have peak months. There are enough disruptions to keep things exciting. As Sir John Kirwan says, "Man makes plans, God laughs."
While the aforementioned appears to be directed at athletes, the principle should work for judges in their yearly programs. All up, six (three, two, one) months of trying to reach peak, three months of staying at peak, then even the best performance will drop over the next three months. There's nothing wrong with that; just be aware that expecting to remain at peak for 12 months will lead to a more uncontrolled reduction of maximum output, a breakdown of the body, or, without time out for recovery, side looks from your colleagues or family as your work and family life seem to fade and potential mistakes creep in.
A rest, self-inflicted, is part of the best training program. Slow down your always-sprinting pace at work when outside peak periods, revert to caution and patience, or arrest if one goes too quickly, too far, for too long in the society to which they belong.