The Stotan Way: Create Your Own Portsea

The International Training Center that Percy Cerutty founded was at Portsea in Victoria, Australia.It was right by the ocean, the 'center' was basically what some would call a very large shack on one half acre of land. However, from this seemingly nondescript facility, great things happened; future champions and non-champions were trained, but perhaps more importantly, they were instructed on how to live and experience life to its fullest.
We may not have a Portsea that we can go to but that doesn't mean we can't create one of our own. If you have access to parks, trails, beaches, pools, and a set of weights you can develop your own Portsea. Here's what I have, in my garage I have weights and a bench. The weights were almost all garbage picked and bought at Play it Again Sports. Behind my house is a dirt service road that is 8/10's of a mile long. A quarter mile away is a park and not ten minutes away is the Atlantic Ocean. In these areas exist all the components needed to train like a Stotan. I'm sure all of you out there,have excerpt for the ocean, the potential for similar training opportunities.
Something else you may want to think about doing. The following is a sample of the daily schedule at Portsea. Consider following something like it for a day or weekend. Obviously, there are certain areas where you would have to improvise but you can still maintain the intention of the schedule, building the body and the mind. May we not have become so jaded that we view the following as childish or frivolous.
7 a.m.---A five mile run before breakfast in any direction our whim took us followed by a dip in the ocean.
8 a.m. Breakfast of uncooked rolled oats(without milk) sprinkled with wheat germ, walnuts, sultanas, raisins and sliced banana. Perhaps a few potato chips to follow.
9. a.m. Swimming and surfing or outdoor chores like chopping wood, painting and carpentry.
Noon- Training and lectures at Portsea Oval, followed by another swim.
2 p.m. Lunch--fish and fresh fruit.
3 p.m. Siesta.
4 p.m. Weight-lifting.
5 p.m. Ten mile run along  dirt roads ending once more at the beach.
7 p.m. Tea and a general discussion led by Percy on a wide variety of subjects.
11 p.m. Lights out.
Maximize your life!

The Stotan Way: The Necessity of Weight Training

"A normal rate for muscle loss with aging has not been established. A 1998 article in the "Journal of Nutrition" reported on a cross section of research that showed the overall loss to be 35 to 40 percent between the ages of 20 and 80. Some research reports changes as early as your 20s, but most agree the most significant changes take place after age 50. Both genders lose the same percentage with aging but women lose less mass overall." (From an article found online)
Ladies and Gentlemen, I rest my case on the subject regarding the necessity of weight lifting. We all know how Cerutty felt about strength work. In his mind, it was vital and necessary. Cerutty was greatly influenced by the works of George Hackenschmidt, a man he met personally later in his life. Hackenschmidt,besides being an author, was also a heavyweight wrestling champion and reportedly was the 'strongest man in the world.'
Hackenschmidt lamented man's separation from nature and his increasing urbanization. Keep in mind folks that he wrote this a little after the turn of the 20th century. Here's what he recommended we do as a remedy for our increasing softness and urbanization:
"Since he has separated from the natural physical advantages, which were freely offered to him in bygone centuries, he should surely avail himself of the efficient substitutes which are offered to him by trained and practiced physical culturists."
"For it is only by exercising with heavy weights that any man can hope to develop real strength. The knowledge of one's strength entails a real mastery over oneself, it breeds energy and courage, helps one over the most difficult tasks of life, and procures contentment and true enjoyment of living."
And you thought you were only building muscle.As an aside,  I gave myself over to strength training for six months and can say that what Hackenschmidt and Cerutty taught about weight training is true. If you call yourself a Stotan, you lift weights.

Ten Characteristics of Truly Great Coaches

1. Committed to individual integrity, values and personal growth.
2. Profound thinkers who see themselves as educators, not just coaches.
3. Well educated (either formally or informally).
4.Long run commitment to their athletes.
5. Willing to experiment with new ideas.
6.Value the coach/athlete relationship.
7. Understand and appreciate human nature.
8.Love their sport and work.
9. Honest and strong in character.
10. Human and therefore imperfect.
The above is really a great list. Percy Cerutty fits everyone of the 10.
Percy was all about experimentation (#5), just read Athletics: How To Become A Champion.
Although not formally educated (#3), he read extensively on a wide  range of varied subjects. I recall in 2000 much of his personal library was up for sale on Ebay. In the description of his 'library' it said the books covered such subjects as yoga, philosophy, weight training, religion, and nutrition. The seller also added that the books were underlined and filled with notations by Cerutty. It still pains me that I didn't have the funds to make the purchase.
Read Cerutty's bio Why Die by Graem Sims and you'll understand why he at times behaved in a way that was less than exemplary(#10).
Cerutty had a  deep love for athletics (#8) and recognized that it was so much more than training and competing.
Although he's gone we have his books that show the truth and the way.

Living the Stotan Life: What Would Cerutty Do....And Not Do,pt.1

Anybody remotely familiar with Percy Cerutty knows that he was all about keeping life simple and natural. For those who aspire to the Stotan Life consider the following---
Imagine if you will Cerutty  at his training center at Portsea in say, 2014, not 1960. He's talking with his students, dressed like they are, in only their shorts. Suddenly, the sound of a Beethoven symphony bursts forth. Cerutty reaches for his cellphone clipped to the side of his shorts, it's Herb(Elliott) calling saying he will be at camp this coming weekend. Percy puts his cellphone back and continues instructing his athletes, minutes later, Beethoven returns, it's a reporter inquiring about doing a feature story. Cerutty looks at his schedule on his phone, makes the appointment and returns the phone to his hip..
It all sounds absurd doesn't it? Would Cerutty have a cellphone if he were around today? Maybe, maybe not. But, I'm sure he would not be obsessively calling,looking and checking it. As one who has witnessed the tremendous growth in cellphone use in recent years, I have come to the conclusion that cellphone use is addictive. I will add that in fairness to its users the addiction has been fueled by what I believe are called the 'apps' that have turned cellphones into hand-held computers.
People need to stop, especially those who are Stotans or desire to be Stotans. Leave them in your car, home or your desk when you go for a workout, an event, a date, shopping or whatever. Saying you need them for work or family is an excuse to continue obsessively using. That's why we have message or answering machines. You can leave, if you desire, a message on your cellphone as to why you are not answering every call that comes your way 24 hours a day. This excessive use is mentally and emotionally draining.
Put the beast down, discover again what it's like to be alone with your thoughts, uninterrupted by intrusions from with out. To the severely addicted I say this, yes you can drive to the supermarket, shop for half an hour and drive all the way home without using the worst invention created in the last several decades. Maybe I'm extreme, but maybe I'm right. Stotan up people!

Remembering Cerutty,pt.1

In the preface to the new edition of Athletics: How To Become A Champion, publisher Peter Masters tells of his experience training at Portsea under Percy Cerutty. His impression of the Man?
"I'd never met anyone like him before. He was scary to a 16 year old but compelling. He had a larger than life persona. I remember it was hot at Portsea which made training even more arduous. I remember too that there were some very talented older athletes so I felt a bit over-awed.
Percy's methods were unconventional and sometimes a bit extreme such as his exaggerated running action,which he used really to make a point.
I remember training up the sandhills.
One day, a boy blacked out in front of me and tumbled down the sandhill and when I went to his aid, Percy yelled out words to the effect, 'he's not dead so don't stop.'
The boy recovered of course but the incident illustrated Percy's determination.
I remember one day we headed to the beach to train and of course moved to below the high water mark to run on the hard sand. Once again we heard a booming voice telling us to run in the soft sand. There were never any easy options.
I didn't go on to become a champion athlete but I admired Percy Cerutty for his willingness to 'push the boundaries' and to challenge accepted practice.
I think Percy's philosophies are as relevant today as they were back in my youth."

Being Honest With Yourself

"Thus I urge you to go on to your greatness if you believe it is in you. Think deeply and separate what you wish from what you are prepared to do." Percy Cerutty
Think seriously about whether or not you are willing to commit yourself totally to what you say you want. Too many people go after their goals lacking the resolve and dedication required to achieve them. Truly commit or forget about it.

No Pretensions

The following is from an old To Run is to Live post but I believe it is worth repeating. I thought of publishing this again as I watched on television the other day some grotesquely tattooed competitors engaging in their respective sports. Cerutty  always taught that our involvement in athletics was in part, a way of expressing who we are. Being natural and having no pretensions were a few of the characteristics of an athlete. The true athlete recognizes that he accomplishes more than just training his body each day as he does his workouts.


Looking Into the Heart Mind and Soul of a Running Warrior

Standing alone, I am what others see and hear,
Without pretension,
Having no need to effect a look or manner by adopting vain extraneous appearances.
I exude a quiet confidence derived from a life that is disciplined, yet open and welcoming to new challenges.
I view my physical training as an opportunity to grow and be fulfilled in all aspects of  life.
This training is as vital to me as my relationships and my vocation,it makes me complete.
I feel no need to explain or prove the validity of the way I have chosen.

The merit of one's life can be measured in part by his disposition and how he treats others,
Yet one's words and actions often betray what he espouses.
My running and training burn away my weaknesses and faults, but the fire must be kindled each day.

Life can be hard and filled with uncertainties that overwhelm the unprepared,

For many, the joy in this life is thus lost.

The way I live,though strange to most,
Provides a peace and comfort that cannot be measured and is not tangible,
But it is the path I've chosen and it's worth is validated each day of my life.