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Post by Adair on Jun 25, 2011 22:29:29 GMT 1
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Post by stever on Jun 27, 2011 11:59:42 GMT 1
Some of us have no choice in the matter  Good advice though. Make your hard runs hard and your easy runs easy. |
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Post by Mike Searle on Jun 30, 2011 12:36:13 GMT 1
Slow running, recovery running, LSD, etc can be extremely beneficial and Dr Phil Maffetone in his bestselling book 'Training for Endurance' was a big advocate of the process. Named 'Coach of the Year by Triathlete Magazine in 1994 he produced impressive results with his athletes. It's key not to confuse slow running with junk miles, where the runner seeks purely to add to their weekly mileage total by running double sessions or adding in extra slow miles to extend their sessions.
Having spent some 6 months some years ago experimenting with Maffetone's training theories, I can personally report that it was an effective training strategy. I initially introduced it as a period of recovery post London marathon (April) and then extended it into the summer & autumn with +ve results. I was refereshed, my base enduarnce was excellent, my fatigue levels lower and I got back to enjoying my running. However this was following a period of several years where I trained very intensely so it's important to note the contrast.
However, from my own experience, slow running isn't and shouldn't be the only training tool that you use. Yes it's key for building your base fitness, building steady-state endurance, recovery and let's not forget, pure enjoyment. Running slowly teaches your neuro-muscular system to . . . run slowly so faster paced training in the form of fartlek, time-trials, intervals, hills et al are equally beneficial and important.
In my view the key is to strike the correct balance between quality work, steady work, recovery work and . . . enjoyment.
All work & no play makes Mike a dull boy and all play and no work makes Mike struggle on the hilly sections of the Club summer handicap!!
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