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!
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