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Sadly, the great Joe Vigil passed away at age 95 on July 19.
Vigil coached some of America’s fastest distance runners, including Olympians Brenda Martinez, Deena Kastor, Meb Keflezighi, and Pat Porter. He also had success in the NCAA, winning 19 championships.
Vigil coached thousands of athletes during his long career, from high school age to Olympians.
He was born in 1929. Vigil’s father passed away that same year. Joe Vigil was raised by his mother in Alamosa. After graduating from Alamosa High School, Vigil served for two years in the US Navy. After returning, he was accepted into Adams State University and subsequently made the football team.
In 2018, Vigil won the World Athletics Coach of the Year. But his career dates back before the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games. He was instrumental in Alamosa hosting the Trials at Adams State University.
Vigil was athletic and intellectual. He was a critical thinker and often approached coaching in unique ways. When Deena Kastor approached him about coaching, she had to convince him. He approached coaching by measuring how the person was feeling, what was their state of mind, yet today, the mental side of coaching continues to be a mystery.
Kastor wrote on social media, “Last night was the hardest goodbye. Joe Vigil, at 95 years old, was the greatest coach and my most profound mentor.”
He earned a PhD in exercise physiology from the University of New Mexico. Vigil was a professor at Adams State and taught parts of the physiology program.
Never straying far from where he grew up, the great coach remained in Alamosa after retiring in 1993 and continued to coach would-be Olympic-level athletes. In 2001, Team Running USA at Mammoth Lakes, California, was created in partnership between Vigil and fellow coach Bob Larsen. Three years later, two of their athletes, Deena Kastor and Meb Keflezighi, earned bronze and silver medals at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in the marathon.
For several more years, Vigil continued coaching the Mammoth Track Club. Vigil continued to coach the likes of Brenda Martinez, the 2013 World Championships 800-metre bronze medallist and 2016 Olympian.
In 2015, Vigil was honoured with the USATF’s Legend Coach Award, recognizing his long career in the sport.
Vigil’s coaching method was similar to the great Arthur Lydiard of New Zealand, as well as Vin Lalalana and Bill Bowerman, although his program could be aggressive, he did employ high mileage. A typical training week, after a build, may look like:
M- 16 x 700m on a grass loop
T- Continuous hill climb (approximately 6 miles, or 10km)
W- Recovery run of 10 miles (16km)
T- Repeat miles, up to 6-8 at V02max (2-3 min recovery)
F- Recovery of 10 miles (16km)
S- Race or 10-12 miles 6:00/mile (16-19km)
S- Long run of two hours or more
Vigil coined “oscillating hills,” which are reminiscent of the famous bacon strip style rolling hills used by the Gators of Florida. A 10-mile continuous run of gently rolling hills.
While his training appears similar to other programs, he was an innovator with the wholeness of the athlete.
Vigil’s approach acknowledges that while physical training is required, mental tenacity, unwavering focus, and employing healthy habits are pivotal in achieving success. Positive self-talk, awareness and visualization are important factors to getting on the start line in the right frame of mind.
But he was also demanding. For example, he is considered a no-nonsense coach. When it comes time to run a session, the athlete is expected to be prepared to be challenged. A staple for Vigil’s distance athletes was the old, tried-and-true meat and potatoes session of 6 x 1 mile at 10km race pace with two to three minutes rest.
While many coaches like to put their personal stamp on workouts, Vigil was a physiologist. Science and experience drove the numbers.
Volume, plus intensity with appropriate recovery, garnered results. What was old was new.
He is remembered by many as he positively influenced. He will be missed.
