I'm very curious to see a complete breakdown of the training because I've only ever seen bits and pieces, giving me a very scattered picture. The heavy cross training actually seems like one of the more normal aspects but I've also been curious about the place of stuff like the alter G sessions or the breakdown of workout days.
Between the SOVA channel and old New Gen T&F videos from Oregon, there are plenty of workout examples but I've never gotten a sense of the overall training plan. I guess this is the problem with only watching workout videos in general but it seems even more emphasized with Ben Thomas training because it can be so varied. One workout I remember from a New Gen video was hills going through a few sets of 100, 200, 300, 400. There was a SOVA video where they were doing hills last year and it seemed like a different workout with a different goal. This could partly be me misremembering a hill workout or comparing workouts at different times of the year but I think it underscores just how confusing the training plan can be from the outside.
Again, if anyone has some clarity on a full training plan (or at least an example week for different periods) that would be so awesome! It is important to note though that Hocker and Teare are the most high profile successes under this program and both are rare talent levels. Others training under them have not had the same level of success and I am not sure you'd say the success of the training translates to everyone. Again, from the outside it is hard to tell just how much Ben is getting out of guys at VT or other people training with SOVA like Aidan Tooker or some of the guys who were training in Eugene with OTC for the trials.
Cross training was always next level after lydiard did his thing, which is running exclusively
Percy Cerutti Herb Elliot coach was an original proponent.
Peter Coe was responsible to take 800 from 143 to 141 with cross training as an important part of the program.
Obviously you need aerobic, anaerobic fast twitch, slow twitch, energy systems developed and optimized, and that would be on race day.
So you have the various training schemes developed, where developing say aerobic ability catabolizes fast twitch, and fast hard work, works against aerobic and energy systems to an extent.
hence it becomes a very interesting science experiment, to adjust parameters, given individual differences, where there is no cookie cutter.
with aerobic development in particular, of course moving larger muscles is the primary technique to develop, i.e. running, cycling, etc. and in the case of middle and distance running, optimal development requires one to two hours per day stress, which on a continual basis, causes wear and tear, catabolizes fast twitch, may deplete energy system, and compromise immune system, growth, repair etc.
so, and to get to the point
cross training offers a way to do more aerobic volume with less wear and tear,
and cross training offers improvement in fast twitch, strength speed as well
and the compromise is to develop non specific muscles to running, so the cross training method used needs to take this into account, i.e. not too much cycling and developing quads non optimal for running.
by using several aerobic training methods, swimming, biking, running in a pool, jumping, etc. non important running muscles and pathways won't be developed too much.
the timing of cross training is important, it's non specific and needs to be used intensively further away from competition,
now the proportion in the various phases of cross training versus running it the big question? phases would be off season break rehab, build up, strength/speed, competition,
early in build up, is the quotient of cross training up to forty percent, and nearing competition ten percent at most?
strategic use of weights is cross training. particularly a few quality sets within a speed day workout, with emphasis on safety.
the timing of cross training is important, it's non specific and needs to be used intensively further away from competition,
This is maybe the biggest reason I would like to see a complete training program or have some kind of broad outline of the training phases. I know from a SOVA vlog when Cooper and Cole went to LA to race the 5k last year, they had a scheduled pool session they did in their small hotel/Airbnb pool. And in another vlog after the Olympics, Cole and Cooper are doing long cycling rides in Europe.
Now again, there aren't many specifics offered (or that I remember off the top of my head) about these sessions but it's interesting to me that these are still present during competition. So are these sessions just to get them off their feet but provide some aerobic stimulus? Looking in on these and other sessions or hearing about the "mad scientist," as Cooper described it, approach Ben takes it has me very interested but also not coming up with much.
I am also a little surprised there hasn't been discussions with more of his former VT athletes like Neil Gourley or Vince Ciattei about their training under Ben while in college. Obviously both had success post Ben Thomas training but they both seem to thriving even more in a fairly standard training setup with UA. I seem to remember someone, likely Gault, did ask Neil about training under Ben Thomas but I remember the answer being fairly underwhelming where no real specifics were given. It would also be very interesting to see their perspective as the training has likely changed/developed since their days in the late 2010s.
A triathlete focuses on the bike and has hard bike and swim sessions that impact the running workouts, etc. Being a runner, the swim/bike sessions are recovery or generally don't dont drain or take away from the quality running sessions. the cross training is just that.. Whereas a triathlete may have huge swim/bike sessions that drain them from quality runs. By the way, i find swimming provides a ton of cardio!
If said runner invest time to learn how to properly lap swim during their off season it would make their cross training worthwhile. The main thing should remain the main thing as far as prioritizing running. Swimming has amazing recuperative effects, so it should be used to add volume and recovery. But triathletes know that the one thing that kills your swimming is the tired legs from running.
sorry all, but when Jakob was asked if he cross trained he said something to the effect, the only way at getting better running is running.
Jakob did copious amounts of cross training last winter. By necessity. I think the more likely comment from him would be that the BEST way to get better at running is running.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen on cross-training: “If anybody thinks they are good at running because they do a lot of swimming then they don't know what they're doing." Cross-training when you are fit to run is "very strange", he says, adding that he only does cross training (usually aqua jogging) when he cannot run.
Guess you believe what every athlete says. I prefer to question everything.
Nothing to question. His swimming background lead him to take up tri after retirement. But yea, be lazy and don't google shxt
So you're going to be lazy and not look at the scientific research?
Consider the possibility that some of these unusual training methods are just a distraction from the real secrets of PED use. Athletes say all kinds of things.
Nothing to question. His swimming background lead him to take up tri after retirement. But yea, be lazy and don't google shxt
So you're going to be lazy and not look at the scientific research?
Consider the possibility that some of these unusual training methods are just a distraction from the real secrets of PED use. Athletes say all kinds of things.
So what are you claiming me to research? That Webb used peds? Also Parker valby swims
Right, so Cole Hocker is on the protected list here, along with Marco Arop and a few select others. Meanwhile, it's fine by the mods to accuse 15 year old kids of doping.