Why don't most elites share their training?

I suspect the real reason elites don't share their training is that the coaches don't allow it. The myth of the super secret training plan = job security. Imagine if it were revealed that the athletes all do pretty much the same thing.

The biggest myth in running is that elite athletes have "elite" training regimens or that they even know anything more about training than the next person. They don't. Their genetics make them elite, and as long as the follow good basic principles (the same ones that apply to everyone else), the nuances of their training aren't that important.

For a few reasons.

1. Psychologically, an athlete likes to think of their training plan as special/unique to them regardless of whether or not it actually is.

2. You don't want others to see how much (or little) you're training to be where you are. There are always those people who say "Wow you have to run that many miles to run ...?" and "You run so few miles? Lazy, imagine where you'd be if you did ...".

3. Based on #2: too much criticism. It's easier to believe in your training when the only ones that know it are close to you and support it/you. There's nobody to cast a shred of doubt into your mind.

idoo wrote:

SMJO wrote:

That is too.

To someone as dumb as you, sure. To any regular person, no.

How do you know I am dumb? Where is your data? You can't just say something without backing it up with facts. Show me the facts.

Is it my genetics? Which genes?

SMJO wrote:

How do you know I am dumb? Where is your data?

Right there.

knower of dumbs wrote:

SMJO wrote:

How do you know I am dumb? Where is your data?

Right there.

You need more evidence. Dozens of examples and then when you provide that evidence, I will ask for more just like the op does on every thread he posts on.

One of my first thoughts when reading this was: What does motivate the elites that do post their training to do it?

For some it might be trying to draw more readers to their blog --> More add revenue. For some, it might be feeling a compulsion to "give back" to the running community.

Aside from those reasons, I can imagine that a lot of elites might no necessarily see what benefit it would bring them to post the information when, as others have mentioned, there are some potential drawbacks.

I'm sure if they felt posting their training would have financial benefit (like Nick Simmons when he made his training available as a download for a price), they would do it.

I run at a sub-elite (or sub-sub-elite level depending on who you ask), and while my training log is available online on runningahead.com, I certainly wouldn't go about promoting it unless I had some incentive to do so.

Most are doing the same crap that every other serious runner is doing. They do a little more volume, a little faster with a bit less recovery. Most are regular Joes and Janes who happen to have won the genetic lottery.

SMJO wrote:

You need more evidence. Dozens of examples and then when you provide that evidence, I will ask for more just like the op does on every thread he posts on.

There's an example right there. I don't need to provide dozens. You just made that number up. That's another example. At least 2 in one post.

international guy of mystery wrote:

Most are doing the same crap that every other serious runner is doing. They do a little more volume, a little faster with a bit less recovery. Most are regular Joes and Janes who happen to have won the genetic lottery.

Another dumb comment. Do you guys even think about the topic before you post?

idoo wrote:

SMJO wrote:

You need more evidence. Dozens of examples and then when you provide that evidence, I will ask for more just like the op does on every thread he posts on.

There's an example right there. I don't need to provide dozens. You just made that number up. That's another example. At least 2 in one post.

Of course I did. I am making fun of your comments on the other thread about Lagat. You know, the one you "didn't post on".

Hypothetical hypodermic wrote:

They don't want to hurt the athletes who would attempt the training without proper pharmaceutical support.

Someone got it right.

ploower wrote:

international guy of mystery wrote:

Most are doing the same crap that every other serious runner is doing. They do a little more volume, a little faster with a bit less recovery. Most are regular Joes and Janes who happen to have won the genetic lottery.

Another dumb comment. Do you guys even think about the topic before you post?

Not that dumb. Running at an elite level obviously takes loads and years of mind-boggling dedication and hard-assery, which most people don't have.

But it *also* requires winning the genetic lottery. You don't think there are some not-fast recreational runners who put in the work? Wrong. You don't think there are some would-be elite recreational runners who put in the work until they get injured? Wrong again.

You need amazing genetics in order to

1) Respond enough to training to run elite times

2) Remain free enough from injury to perform that training year-in and year-out

3) Have the mechanics and body type to give you the extra edge

All three of these things are pretty much necessary to be elite. There is tremendous variability in all three of these conditions. The bulk of that variability is genetic.

There you go making sense in a way that a dumb person can get. The even less intellectually gifted will be along shortly to deny your points.

SMJO wrote:

Of course I did. I am making fun of your comments on the other thread about Lagat. You know, the one you "didn't post on".

And here's yet another example of your stupidity. What other thread about Lagat? And when did I say that I did or didn't post on it?

idoo wrote:

SMJO wrote:

Of course I did. I am making fun of your comments on the other thread about Lagat. You know, the one you "didn't post on".

And here's yet another example of your stupidity. What other thread about Lagat? And when did I say that I did or didn't post on it?

There it is, there it is.

SMJO wrote:

There it is, there it is.

When you can't or refuse to answer my questions, that means I'm correct. Thank you. Better luck next time SMJO.

idoo wrote:

SMJO wrote:

There it is, there it is.

When you can't or refuse to answer my questions, that means I'm correct. Thank you. Better luck next time SMJO.

Can't you find the Lagat thread and remember your "other" username(s)?

Denial commencing in 3..2..1.

SMJO wrote:

idoo wrote:

When you can't or refuse to answer my questions, that means I'm correct. Thank you. Better luck next time SMJO.

Can't you find the Lagat thread and remember your "other" username(s)?

Denial commencing in 3..2..1.

Once again, when you can't or refuse to answer my questions, that means I'm correct. Thanks for showing another sign of your stupidity by the way.