Back To Square Run-Episode 33 "2015 Rochester, NY Marathon Race Review"

Hansons Marathon Method By Luke Humphrey

   I think that much of what we know today about distance running is as wide encompassing as it is confusing. Ever since the initial running boom of the 70's runners all over this country have been figuring out what works and what doesn't work over the course of thousands of miles. It's on this base of knowledge that many new runners build their running foundations. 

   Some of the information is really good. Like that if you don't take chaffing seriously, you will after trying to shower without screaming after both your nipples have been rubbed raw after a 20 mile long run. Or that yes, running shoes don't really last forever regardless of how good their flashy colors still look on your feet. Or that it's a really great idea to pay attention to the forecast before you head out on your long runs. Nothing's more terrifying than to be out on an open country road pushing the little love of your life who's going to carry on the family name in a metal running stroller and see thunder clouds quickly rolling in on either side of you. Speed work with lightning, indeed!

   Some of the information is really bad too. Like the 10% rule. Most runners believe that adding more than 10% in weekly mileage is a guaranteed recipe for disaster and injury. It isn't. There's absolutely no scientific proof whatsoever that you can't add more. Like that ice baths are one of the best ways to help you recover from having "dead" legs. I've done it and so have many of my friends. All it does is make you cold and miserable for like two straight days. Like that cross-training with weights, heavy weights especially, will make runners bulk up and therefore much slower. That one there actually is solid scientific proof that heavy weight lifting can benefit runners immensely without making them look like the Hulk.

   When I first started my journey down the road to run my first marathon I turned to one of the most trusted vaults of running related knowledge out there, Runner's World. I looked up training plans for the marathon distance and over the course of 16 weeks or so I ran every mile just like the plan told me to. I ran my first marathon, had an awful race and swore that I'd never run another. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking Runner's World. It's an excellent resource! My race went badly, like most first marathons do, because I was inexperienced and had made some rookie mistakes. Not because I was under trained. 

   My main point is that the standard marathon training plan is just that, standard. The only problem with that is that there's no runner that I know who is "standard". What works for me, may or may not work for you. I think that standard plans like you can find in places like Runner's World are an excellent guide. But just that, a guide. 

   I didn't always think like this. Even though I said never again, I was a glutton for punishment and have run another 11 marathons since my first. A large majority of them I trained using the standard marathon training plans out there. Then in 2012 I became extremely interested in what the Hansons Brooks Distance Project was doing with regards to marathon training. And that's exactly what this book is about. It's written by Luke Humphrey who works as a Coach closely with Keith and Kevin Hanson who founded the Distance Project in the late 70's. Their work and methods have produced some of the finest American distance runners on the planet who've finished with the top elites at Boston and been sent to the Olympics to represent the red, white and blue. 

   The main philosophy of their version of the marathon training plan rests on the teaching of famed running coach Arthur Lydiard. The guy is credited with starting the running boom! The main approach of the plan is "cumulative fatigue" which occurs after repetitive training that doesn't allow for full recovery between training days. Along with this fatigue their plan highly emphasizes more moderate, more intense mid-week runs and a shorter long run for the weekend. They believe the 20 mile or longer long run of most standard plans isn't need. Mainly because by the time a runner using their plan gets to their maximum 16 mile long run it simulates the last 16 miles of a marathon race due to the more moderate mid-week workouts. 

   Now, it's of course a tad more complex than that, you'll have to read the book to get the entire philosophy. But I will tell you that I've used their plan to break four hours in two of my marathons. The training is challenging and by the end of the week your long runs do feels like the end stages of your race. It just kicks your ass all week long! We are sadists in our own special way! If you're interested I highly suggest you check out their website here to look at their plans: http://www.hansons-running.com. I took the information off the website when I used their plan. So the book isn't necessary. But it is more in-depth. 

   On a side note, if you would've asked me if the Hansons method was the only way to marathon train three years ago I would've vigorously nodded yes until my head fell off my shoulders. But after the injury of last summer and being trained this season by Coach Judy Mick, I'm not so sure. We didn't do anything resembling this method and while I didn't crack four hours like I wanted to, I did run my fourth fastest marathon. Sigh, the woman is insane and I still hate 20 mile or longer training runs like I did way back when! I think that the important thing I took away from this book in addition to my experience is that one running shoe doesn't fit every runner. Try different training approaches, get a coach to give you personally tailored training according to your running goals and if you're a guy streak running outside in the North-East part of the country during wintertime, wear some extra padding in the nether region. Believe me, you can get frostbite down there!    

Spectacular Streakers & Their Amazing Stories Compiled By Judy Mick

   So it's been a little while since I've blogged here. Part of it was because of ZENVEDA where I was trying to put out a daily video podcast. I did it and I now have a much bigger appreciation for all of those hardcore video bloggers out there. You guys and gals put out some amazing work. I managed to streamline my own production process down to about 20 minutes. But it was still really challenging to get something out daily. 

   

   Part of it was that certain aspects of my personal life are going to "hell in a hand basket" right now. I'm not going to go into any details here. But I've never been one to sugar coat my blog or video podcast. It's just not what life is or who I am. I've got issues and challenges like everyone else and they are a bit overwhelming right now. Some of you have picked up on what's going on and I can't tell you how much I appreciate those of you who've reached out to offer support! Truly a great running community.

   Part of it also was that my marathon training was ramping up for the final big push and then down for the dreaded taper. I'm going to write a race review in the near future. I managed to finish the race. But fell well short of my time goal. Just happy to finish this one.

   When I first started streaking about three years ago I met fellow streaker Judy Mick. She's known as the Streaking Runner and for good reason. She's been running at least a mile a day for 30 years! Just incredible. As we got to know each other and talked running shop I discovered she's not only a running coach and streaker, but a writer as well. At the time she was asking for submissions from her fellow streakers to tell their stories about how they got into streaking for an upcoming book she was writing. I was too self-conscious to submit my own streaking story by myself. But after some prodding from the Coach I agreed. 

   I finally got around to reading the book and it's more of an awe inspiring collection of greatness than a story. And I'm not just saying that because my streaking story is on pages 9-19. Living a busy life means sometimes seeing things only from your perspective. From that view point you can assume that everyone else running out there is having sunny, 60 degree, wind at their back days where they easily knock off 10 miles without breaking a sweat. Sometimes you forget that everyone has their own uniquely challenging story and incredibly powerful reasons why they run. This book tells 18 of those stories. I came away from reading the last one, where Judy tells her own story, with a greater appreciation of the various struggles all runners go through to get where they're going. It's challenging enough to be a runner, add to that trying to run a mile non-stop everyday to be a streaker as well, and you have what defines us as the incredible human beings that we are! It also reminded me of how terribly I wrote those first few days of blogging and how special my own story is. 

   That first streak has come and gone due to that dreaded back injury. I vividly remember how hard it was to let that go. I was on the verge of passing out that final time I tried to limp through a mile on my treadmill. But 609 days was well beyond my original 366 day goal. So, I'll take it as a win. Sitting here a year later 243 days into my second streak I'm reminded how fickle life and running can be. Last year I thought I would never walk, run or work again. But here I am doing all those things and living my life like I used to. Sometimes all it takes is a little reminder that each of us have hills to overcome. Some are bigger than others, but they're still hard to run up regardless their size. Check out the book if you're interested in running and streaking. The stories are motivational, inspiring and like the title implies, spectacular.

   If you're interested in hiring a gifted coach, learning more about Coach Judy and buying this and some of her other books check her out here: Run Happy Coaching!   

As I wade through this current mess that is my life, I'm reminded that I'm still here and I'm not done yet! Thanks Coach for including me in your book and for keeping me afloat. 

Back To Square Run-Episode 32 "Running & Being Book Review"