Ben True: "Everything else is just gimmicks" Theory

Obviously that was just a generalized statement, not meant to be taken literally. In the next scene they were doing some kind of drills.

Salazar's training is also pretty much just running and strength training too, with the occasional gimmick for Rupp's allergies or Ritz's injuries that gets blown WAY out of proportion.

I agree. But "running more" isn't necessarily the best way to word it, otherwise Michael Arnstein(2:28 marathoner and 12:57 100 miler aka 7:46 pace for 100 miles) would be a sub 13 guy yet his pr is like 1540s for 5k off his 180-210 miles a week.

There are a lot of gimmicks out there. But also gimmicks can be defined as certain mindsets to training. Thinking that running 100+ mpw will automatically make you a beast is a gimmick. Thinking that doing year round speed will lead to a huge breakthrough is also a gimmick.

The best thing to do is just train smart and work hard. No gimmicks. If you do everything right, it is hard work, but you'll improve steadily year by year and if you're a noob you'll see a big drop in times.

strength training

good nutrition

sleep

altitude tents

these are not gimmicks

With those non-gimmicks Farah should have easily eclipsed the Marathon time of Jones who had bad food, little sleep and lived at sea level.

Funny true said that bc i have always believed alot o his success in his pro career was from his time at dartmouth xc running and skiing .

As mileage approaches infinity, race time approaches zero.

Top Shelf wrote:

With those non-gimmicks Farah should have easily eclipsed the Marathon time of Jones who had bad food, little sleep and lived at sea level.

No, but Jones probably could have run faster than he did.

dshbch wrote:

As mileage approaches infinity, race time approaches zero.

like Dean Karnazes? lol

Cut the blue collar crap. True grew up in the lap of luxury in one of the most wealthy areas of Maine. Dude has had everything handed to him.

Koneko wrote:

Cut the blue collar crap. True grew up in the lap of luxury in one of the most wealthy areas of Maine. Dude has had everything handed to him.

North Yarmouth, ME:

The median income for a household in the town was $60,850, and the median income for a family was $65,000. Males had a median income of $42,986 versus $29,179 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,180. About 0.6% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.

Ah, $65,000/yr for a family. The lap of luxury.

worked pretty well for Steve Way (2:15 aged 40 at 2014 Commonwealth Games marathon). His training going into race:

http://www.steveway.co.uk/?page_id=1300

Orly wrote:

Koneko wrote:

Cut the blue collar crap. True grew up in the lap of luxury in one of the most wealthy areas of Maine. Dude has had everything handed to him.

North Yarmouth, ME:

The median income for a household in the town was $60,850, and the median income for a family was $65,000. Males had a median income of $42,986 versus $29,179 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,180. About 0.6% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.

Ah, $65,000/yr for a family. The lap of luxury.

Actually a MEDIAN of $65,000 is not as low as you think. Check out Ann Arbor Stats

$50,648 is the median and Ann Arbor is really nice for the most part. So, An area with a median income of $65,000 IS a nice place, but that doesn't mean anything has been handed to him. He has an edge, a chip on the shoulder and I LOVE that. If it is real or made up it doesn't matter - It motivates him…

Go Ben True!

North Yarmouth, ME is in the 84th percentile in terms of salary and education. Surrounding towns range from 65%-91% and drops off considerably from there. The area surrounding Ann Arbor has considerably more wealth/depth than that of North Yarmouth, ME.

Why did we pick Ann Arbor?

84% is strong, but it's nothing like growing up around Bridgeport, CT or the 'burbs of Boston. And for anyone who has visited Maine, you know they have to work for everything. Not too many inflated 6/7 figure finance jobs for anyone willing to work 13 hour days.

run a lot

train smart with a good mix of speed & strength training

eat well

sleep a lot

be blessed with good genes.

70s kid wrote:

strength training

good nutrition

sleep

altitude tents

these are not gimmicks

"Gimmicks" is a bad word to use in this debate. "Peripherals" would be more appropriate. If you do everything you list but don't run the miles you're probably not going to be much of a runner. On the other hand, if you only do miles and don't do any of the things on your list you can still be a decent runner. You might not really be healthy, but being healthy and being a good runner aren't necessarily the same thing.

When I talk training with the guys on my team there is "mileage", and there is "everything else", which sounds like what True is getting at. Sometimes they try to justify inadequate mileage by saying they've been hitting the gym or doing yoga or cross training or core strength or whatever. To me, if you have 15-20 hours a week you can put into your training you can do the mileage you need plus all kinds of peripheral stuff that certainly doesn't hurt, but it's not mileage. If you only have 6-8 hours a week to devote to the sport you're better off having that be almost 100% mileage. It comes down to what time is available in one's lifestyle and how do you need to fill that time.

Gimmicks might help True get that kick he's missing

Meb is big on his fitness/strength/stretching/recovery routine that pretty much takes up most of his day outside of running. Much of what he does is probably in the "gimmicks" category, but those "gimmicks" are necessary to keep from breaking down after a long career. Young guys can just get out there and hammer it, by contrast.

Wanjiru was also a no "gimmicks" runner. He never lifted weights and would run hilly cross country courses for strength.

Precious Roy wrote:

Meb is big on his fitness/strength/stretching/recovery routine that pretty much takes up most of his day outside of running. Much of what he does is probably in the "gimmicks" category, but those "gimmicks" are necessary to keep from breaking down after a long career. Young guys can just get out there and hammer it, by contrast.

Wanjiru was also a no "gimmicks" runner. He never lifted weights and would run hilly cross country courses for strength.

Yeah and now he's dead

Top Shelf wrote:

With those non-gimmicks Farah should have easily eclipsed the Marathon time of Jones who had bad food, little sleep and lived at sea level.

Yeah, Mo Farah, what a slouch! has been dominating championship track 10ks and 5ks for awhile now. 3:28-mid-high 1500m, on the all-time list. 2:07 marathon. The man is unique in his accomplishments, all-time, and definitely unique among people walking in this age. I guess those gimmicks didn't work for him? Steve Jones was a marathon specialist. You can't compare the two. Steve Jones has no double gold medals on the track to his name.