Crazy idea for building an aerobic base

What you suggest is what most people try to do.

However it is not what Lydiard intended for his runners. The runner must have multi-paced training all year long to avoid injuries. In addition "true speed development" should take place at least one day per week.

If you do not keep working on your top speed then you miss out on one of the key components of being a good runner. Yes "speed endurance" is important but most coaches/runners overemphasize it while also over racing!

I also know that very few people know the difference between "speed development" and "speed endurance.'

Doubtful Pre Doubtful wrote:

What you suggest is what most people try to do.

However it is not what Lydiard intended for his runners. The runner must have multi-paced training all year long to avoid injuries. In addition "true speed development" should take place at least one day per week.

If you do not keep working on your top speed then you miss out on one of the key components of being a good runner. Yes "speed endurance" is important but most coaches/runners overemphasize it while also over racing!

I also know that very few people know the difference between "speed development" and "speed endurance.'

Spot on. Multi pace training, year-round, is the most effective and efficient way to train, period. Ignoring speed development for the sake of "base" is nonsense that somehow gets thrown in with Lydiard base phase talk.

Pure alactic speed is a great complement to pure aerobic training. The problem is when people slide into the Black Hole of "moderate pace', "speed endurance", too many tempos and race-pace stuff while trying to develop the tools of basic speed and pure endurance. There is a place for race-paced and tempo work, but it is very limited and temporary relative to working on the basics. This is the basis of Polarized Training, as Seiler defines it.

Opiate for the Masses wrote:

Doubtful Pre Doubtful wrote:

What you suggest is what most people try to do.

However it is not what Lydiard intended for his runners. The runner must have multi-paced training all year long to avoid injuries. In addition "true speed development" should take place at least one day per week.

If you do not keep working on your top speed then you miss out on one of the key components of being a good runner. Yes "speed endurance" is important but most coaches/runners overemphasize it while also over racing!

I also know that very few people know the difference between "speed development" and "speed endurance.'

Spot on. Multi pace training, year-round, is the most effective and efficient way to train, period. Ignoring speed development for the sake of "base" is nonsense that somehow gets thrown in with Lydiard base phase talk.

Can you give an example of weekly "true speed development?"

Strides, short hill sprints, fast 200s w/ long recovery... There's no reason to not be doing a couple of these sessions per week, year round.

Agreed, except I keep the 200s down to 100m. Also plyos and drills.

Opiate for the Masses wrote:

Strides, short hill sprints, fast 200s w/ long recovery... There's no reason to not be doing a couple of these sessions per week, year round.

Am I missing something? The OP's idea does not seem qualified as crazy or innovative, but simple and unoriginal. While the posts and conversation in response by comparison is advanced. Seems like another instance in which bonafide chiseled running nerds took a slightly sophomoric post as a pretext for having an advanced conversation. I just had to say this out loud. I'm sitting on the bed picking my nose. My nose gets very cleaned while surfing the forums. Thanks

[quote]Geeze Louise wrote:

Pure alactic speed is a great complement to pure aerobic training. The problem is when people slide into the Black Hole of "moderate pace', "speed endurance", too many tempos and race-pace stuff while trying to develop the tools of basic speed and pure endurance. There is a place for race-paced and tempo work, but it is very limited and temporary relative to working on the basics. This is the basis of Polarized Training, as Seiler defines it.

----well said!