Any Hadd-type runners still out there?

I got bursitis about a year ago. Until that time I was enjoying the benefits of my Hadd base. If I had been following Hadd more strictly at the time, I doubt I would have taken the days off that led to the bursitis when I started back too quickly.

It was just a fadd.

A fadd? Really? What would work better for getting into shape faster/safer?

HR is a good tool to measure effort no?

I coach a group of runners using the Hadd method exclusively. I was one of the original Hadd members of his private coaching board. I was coached by him for about 6 years and was able to follow along with all of the others he coached. The knowledge he had was astounding and second to none. Honestly.

The topics and discussions we had would blow most runners' minds. I have read and re-read every word he wrote to us 100's of times and probably have his system down as well as anybody. All anyone on this board was exposed to was his Phase I. I can tell you that was just a tiny fraction of his system...

The greatest point about being on his board was learning how a great coach deals with so many different kinds of runners. His ability to diagnose and tailor a program for a specific runner was amazing. You got to see first hand how his system worked for ever one of us and he had us all doing different stuff based on our weaknesses.

Not a single day goes by that I don't think about Hadd and what a loss it was for the running community to lose him at such a young age.

I've contemplated writing a book on his system but I am not sure I want to give up his methods just yet...

Hadd-ite,

Happy to know ties are still strong out there.

I liked that you mentioned how he made his program follow the athlete and not vice-versa.

notFaddjustSadd wrote:

A fadd? Really? What would work better for getting into shape faster/safer?

HR is a good tool to measure effort no?

Specific training from the beginning. is faster and safer obviously.

The Hadd method gambles with the athlete peaking late and actually responding to the method.

Every method is right for some and wrong for some.

Admittedly a small sampling, but I 'went Hadd' 3 winters ago & ran a great (for me) 10 miler after just 10 weeks. My first mile in the race was faster than any runs I had done in those past 2 1/2 months so I thought I might suffer later, but ended up P.R.ing. Some bad health issues (unrelated to running) since, have precluded me from giving it another shot, but it's in my future.

Please write that book Hadd-ite! I am always trawling through letsrun trying to find his words of wisdom and anything by his students such as yourself, "Pete" and others. I only discovered his training after he passed away- I was reading the tributes on the letsrun thread when this happened- many brought tears to my eyes. Also, as a physical therapist, I often point clients in the direction of his phase 1 document as a great way to safely "train to train." I have found that between that and a few technique things like working on one's cadence and some drills like very short duration hill sprints, you really do reduce the likelihood of injury. I'm an old dude in Australia who came to running late in life(I'm 45) and I must say Hadd training has helped me so much over the last 8 months or so and I am so grateful that he took the time to share his knowledge on this site.

hadd-ite wrote:

Not a single day goes by that I don't think about Hadd and what a loss it was for the running community.

[...]

I've contemplated writing a book on his system but I am not sure I want to give up his methods just yet...

Love your selfishness at the expense of the running community *rolls eyes*.