Oregon Experience: Bill Bowerman
Writing on Athletics
Bowerman was fascinated with how the human body worked, and his teaching methods reflected his lifelong passion and knowledge. He studied track and field events in detail and over the years published numerous articles in athletic and medical journals about training methods, running techniques and the prevention of injuries.
Bill Bowerman and Eugene cardiologist Waldo Harris, M.D. wrote this 19-page booklet called "Jogging" in 1966 to help the average American get fit through running. They expanded the original booklet into a best-selling book in 1967.
View a slideshow of pages from the original booklet
Below, read excerpts and download the full text of three of his articles. The article "Running" is in its original draft form with handwritten corrections.
- Excerpt from "Running" — Selecting Runners
- It is quite simple to observe that great middle distances runners have usually been medium to just above average in height, slightly below average in weight, slight of build, with well-defined musculature. They also usually have a somewhat lower pulse rate than average. But to select runners purely on the basis of these characteristics would probably result in little more success than choosing them by the color of their eyes and hair.
- Champions and potential champions must have an abundance of energy and tenacity. They must be willing to stick to workout procedures that would seem grueling to the average person, to perform them in fair weather and foul. Furthermore, they are eager, not only to defeat opposition, but to push themselves to full capacity on the competitive field.
- Courtesy of Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon
- Download a PDF of the full article
- Anatomy of a Running Shoe
- An invisible but very important part of a shoe is the heel counter. It is concealed by the quarter, backstay, and foxing. It should give the heel stability, but if it is too stiff, it can cause bruises, blisters, or calluses. If too flexible or fragile, it is of no practical value. The real test of an acceptable heel counter will be passed when it satisfies multitudes of runners. Despite the scientific evaluations and advertising claims that have been made, no heel counter has yet passed this test.
- Reprinted from Symposium on the Foot and Leg in Running Sports, Robert P. Mack, pages 56-63, (c)1982 Mosby, with permission from Elsevier.
- Download a PDF of the full article
- Prescription for the Beginner — Training Schedule
- My method of devising a training schedule (specific assignments for workouts) is not very different from a physician's method of arriving at a prescription for a patient. The first step is diagnosis, becoming acquainted with the patient's or athlete's abilities and disabilities. The second step is an assessment of what improvement can reasonably be expected and what specific recommendations are needed. The final step is a period of trial and observation to adjust the "dosage" or training schedule to optimum levels for the safest and most rapid improvement of condition.
- Reprinted from Symposium on the Foot and Leg in Running Sports, Robert P. Mack, pages 56-63, (c) 1982 Mosby, with permission from Elsevier.
- Download a PDF of the full article
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