So a lot of running isn't necessary to success in running. Makes sense. But only if you are trying to justify what otherwise doesn't make much sense.
But, then, if she can't train hard because she's injury-prone imagine what she could do on serious miles. A whole minute faster. Really? She's that good?
Not on the elite level at all, but I had a couple of JV girls this year who could just not stay healthy. I backed them off to 3 days of running per week with lots of other cross training type of stuff and the ended up PRing by almost 2 minutes.
It’s impossible to draw any conclusions from any runner’s success using cross training without knowing HOW they cross train. When Valby says she uses the elliptical or ARC trainer absolutely no one asks for more detail, such as what types of workouts, resistances, inclines, frequency. You know, like we do in running. It’ seems the folks interviewing Valby, Cook, and others don’t seem to be aware of the nearly infinite varieties of types of workouts available on the various machines as well as the differences between machines. So, we really have almost zero information on exactly what they are doing.
Elizabeth Leachman, top 3 if the not the top HS girl this year, copies her training after Valby. She was injury prone before changing to mostly cross training. Only a soph she ran a 9:57 two mile as a freshman last June.
Let’s look at CT from an opposite side. Take, for example, XC skiers. For them, running is cross training for about half a year. Have not heard of their "massive migration" to NZ or South America’s Ands in summer in order to remain on the snow. And their world cup season starts only about a month after they get back to skiing in end Oct. Nevertheless, some of the world elite peak quite early, in December.
All elite XC skiers are spending a lot of time roller skiiing these days, so the comparison doesn't completely hold up. It is clear, though, that a lot of XC skiing fitness can be gained by running.
Talent and consistency are key. Plus cross training is keeping the aerobic system going.
Long term hopefully she can work on improving her bodies resilience and move up the days ran per week. I think she could be much better on 3-4 or 4-5 days a week of running, but no need to push for 6-7
This post was edited 46 seconds after it was posted.
It’s impossible to draw any conclusions from any runner’s success using cross training without knowing HOW they cross train. When Valby says she uses the elliptical or ARC trainer absolutely no one asks for more detail, such as what types of workouts, resistances, inclines, frequency. You know, like we do in running. It’ seems the folks interviewing Valby, Cook, and others don’t seem to be aware of the nearly infinite varieties of types of workouts available on the various machines as well as the differences between machines. So, we really have almost zero information on exactly what they are doing.
I agree that we need more information. How hard is she going on the Arc trainer?
I’m skeptical that 3 days of running per week is optimal for distance running (no matter how much time you spend cross training). Specificity matters and, as someone else said, mileage also matters. The greater the distance, the more it matters.
Another poster pointed out that Kipyegon and company are not running low 14s on 30mpw. The triathlon Olympic gold medalist, for all the time she spends biking and swimming, wouldn’t be a factor on the Diamond League circuit right?
I wouldn’t consider applying her training method unless you can’t handle higher mileage or respond better to low volume, moderate to high intensity run training. And in that case (best case scenario) you’re probably looking at 800m-5000m.
I agree that we need more information. How hard is she going on the Arc trainer?
I’m skeptical that 3 days of running per week is optimal for distance running (no matter how much time you spend cross training). Specificity matters and, as someone else said, mileage also matters. The greater the distance, the more it matters.
It was good to see that for the first time in a post-race interview I think it was someone from Citius and Gault followed up to get more detail on the specifics. So, kudos to them! Here’s the link at about 3:48. What she said was she sets the resistance hard with incline and even worked out on some ancient Arc Trainer in Charlottesville just 2 days ago. Obviously, no time to dig deep but at some point someone should publish the workouts. Heck, they could sell it! If I was coaching kids that get injured all the time this would be invaluable info to have.
I agree though, this just may not translate well to 10K and up.
Full coverage of the 2023 NCAA Cross Country Championships in Charlottesville, Virginia can be found here: https://www.letsrun.com/events/2023/11/2023-ncaa-...
I think she'd still do incredible in the 10k based on how much of an aerobic monster she is. Yes, her potential is limited. But I think she wouldn't have to increase her running volume much to really run a spectacular 10k.
It’s impossible to draw any conclusions from any runner’s success using cross training without knowing HOW they cross train. When Valby says she uses the elliptical or ARC trainer absolutely no one asks for more detail, such as what types of workouts, resistances, inclines, frequency. You know, like we do in running. It’ seems the folks interviewing Valby, Cook, and others don’t seem to be aware of the nearly infinite varieties of types of workouts available on the various machines as well as the differences between machines. So, we really have almost zero information on exactly what they are doing.
I agree that we need more information. How hard is she going on the Arc trainer?
I’m skeptical that 3 days of running per week is optimal for distance running (no matter how much time you spend cross training). Specificity matters and, as someone else said, mileage also matters. The greater the distance, the more it matters.
Another poster pointed out that Kipyegon and company are not running low 14s on 30mpw. The triathlon Olympic gold medalist, for all the time she spends biking and swimming, wouldn’t be a factor on the Diamond League circuit right?
I wouldn’t consider applying her training method unless you can’t handle higher mileage or respond better to low volume, moderate to high intensity run training. And in that case (best case scenario) you’re probably looking at 800m-5000m.
Agreed. I think if cross-training mixed with low mileage was as effective as high mileage for a distance athlete more top athletes would be doing it. But they aren't.
When someone is killing talented opposition on less training than they are I remain sceptical. They are either training more than they say or are doing something that compensates for less training.
might not do as well on track due to her lack of kick, but aerobic talent (for a non African) is off the charts - if she can stay healthy she could challenge Monson
When someone is killing talented opposition on less training than they are I remain sceptical. They are either training more than they say or are doing something that compensates for less training.
Valby isn't doing less training, just less running. Time and effort wise she's training much more than most of her competition.
So a lot of running isn't necessary to success in running. Makes sense. But only if you are trying to justify what otherwise doesn't make much sense.
But, then, if she can't train hard because she's injury-prone imagine what she could do on serious miles. A whole minute faster. Really? She's that good?
She’s on the Arc Trainer for 90 minutes on her easy days. Valby is getting plenty of aerobic work, it’s just avoiding the pounding on the ground on her easy days.
When someone is killing talented opposition on less training than they are I remain sceptical. They are either training more than they say or are doing something that compensates for less training.
Valby isn't doing less training, just less running. Time and effort wise she's training much more than most of her competition.
I think that poster meant running more than is being reported. I don’t believe Valby and her coach are lying about her training but I think what we can agree on is that cross training and run training are not interchangeable. What she’s doing is optimal for her because she’s injury prone but if you have a runner that can handle more mileage that’s the way to go.
When someone is killing talented opposition on less training than they are I remain sceptical. They are either training more than they say or are doing something that compensates for less training.
Valby isn't doing less training, just less running. Time and effort wise she's training much more than most of her competition.
If that combination is more effective than a training diet of mainly running why isn't it the norm for the best distance runners? Where is the Lydiard who has made that revolutionary discovery that cross-training trumps just running?
If cross-training is mainly compensatory for Valby, to prevent injury, then she is running less than she otherwise would be if injury wasn't a concern. That suggests that an athlete who is less than optimally trained is nonetheless destroying her talented competitors and would otherwise be even faster if she could achieve more mileage. I know fans will accept that but I don't know who else would.
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Valby isn't doing less training, just less running. Time and effort wise she's training much more than most of her competition.
If that combination is more effective than a training diet of mainly running why isn't it the norm for the best distance runners? Where is the Lydiard who has made that revolutionary discovery that cross-training trumps just running?
Triathletes train this way and there are no triathletes running sub 13 or sub 27.