Bill Rodgers Training Log

interesting stuff wrote:

I look forward to seeing these logs, it will be very cool. Bill is such an inspiration for hardworking marathoners.

A first glimpse:

Where BR post collegiate running odyssey began, perhaps smoking is a form of altitude training:

January 1, 1973

My last competitive race was an 8:58.8 two mile (4th) indoors my senior year at Wesleyan (1st mile 4:27) in December 1969. Since then I've cut down my mileage and smoked; up until November 1972. Since I moved to Boston I began running a bit more sometimes 5 or up to 8 miles per day. I've done this on and off while still smoking since May 1971.

This past summer (1972) I've increased my running distances per week and since the 17th of October I've averaged near 100 miles per week. One week high was 124 miles.

Since I've quit smoking I've improved greatly with my breathing and ease of running. Today ran 10 laps around Jamaica Pond for 16 miles.

Total miles for the week ending January 1st 1973 is 104. Really warm today 60 degrees!

CollegeSoph wrote:

Where did Bill do most of his running in Boston? I am always looking for new soft surfacs to run on.

In the early years here:

Thank you thank you thank you.

hey Hodgie,

Check this out...

http://www.lhrr.com/photogalleryhtml/index.php?album=1980&image=1980h.jpg

It's next week-end, the Litchfield Hills.

He'd get up hungry in the middle of the night and eat mayo with a spoon.

patti wrote:

hey Hodgie,

Check this out...

http://www.lhrr.com/photogalleryhtml/index.php?album=1980&image=1980h.jpg

It's next week-end, the Litchfield Hills.

I am planning to run there this year for the first time in many years.

Do you or Dan have any races planned this summer?

I am always hoping to make it down there for the Kelley race.

Patti, any chance of finding your old running logs on the internet?

Hodgie-san,

Thanks for posting BR's logs. I've enjoyed reading your accounts of your training and racing over the years and look forward to looking through Rodger's stuff.

ktilton wrote:

Hodgie-san,

Thanks for posting BR's logs. I've enjoyed reading your accounts of your training and racing over the years and look forward to looking through Rodger's stuff.

See you at the Mt Washington.

I seem to recall reading a article about when Salazar was working out under Squires (during the summers in the late 70's) and doing track workouts with Rodgers. The article talked about them doing 6 x 1 mile repeats with 400 jog recovery and when Salazar joined the group the pace quickened down to the 4:25 to 4:30 range.

Seems like a pretty good quality session for a marathoner, so Billy was definately getting in some serious quality with all that quantity.

This seems consistent with how Shorter trained. I remember him saying to get in 2 quality workouts and long run each week and as much mileage as you can without jeopardizing the quality work. Seems to be what Rodgers was thinking as well.

Does this sound right Hodgie, Patti and Malmo?

Lasse Zatopek wrote:

I seem to recall reading a article about when Salazar was working out under Squires (during the summers in the late 70's) and doing track workouts with Rodgers. The article talked about them doing 6 x 1 mile repeats with 400 jog recovery and when Salazar joined the group the pace quickened down to the 4:25 to 4:30 range.

Seems like a pretty good quality session for a marathoner, so Billy was definately getting in some serious quality with all that quantity.

This seems consistent with how Shorter trained. I remember him saying to get in 2 quality workouts and long run each week and as much mileage as you can without jeopardizing the quality work. Seems to be what Rodgers was thinking as well.

Does this sound right Hodgie, Patti and Malmo?

Very rarely were any that fast. Alberto was a HS'er then. Pace was usually 4:45-4:55 for 5 or 6 repeats.

Some visiting runners from other parts who occaisionally joined us for these did not even consider this "speed work"

Patti, it would be amazing if you could post some of your old logs!

Sorry, missed where you said late 70's. Definitely when Greg Meyer came along in 78 things picked up, new twists to workouts quicker pace etc.

Some Warhurst influence perhaps.

Alberto was not working out with us much then as I recall.

I imagine that at least some of Patti's training will be in the book that she is now writing.

Lasse Zatopek wrote:

I seem to recall reading a article about when Salazar was working out under Squires (during the summers in the late 70's) and doing track workouts with Rodgers. The article talked about them doing 6 x 1 mile repeats with 400 jog recovery and when Salazar joined the group the pace quickened down to the 4:25 to 4:30 range.

Seems like a pretty good quality session for a marathoner, so Billy was definately getting in some serious quality with all that quantity.

This seems consistent with how Shorter trained. I remember him saying to get in 2 quality workouts and long run each week and as much mileage as you can without jeopardizing the quality work. Seems to be what Rodgers was thinking as well.

Does this sound right Hodgie, Patti and Malmo?

Alberto log:

HI orville!!!!! You're right....

I'm writing more about my training and workouts than the races. It's coming out that the racesa re an after thought...

I loved the training, though amany times I was afraid to blink whioel running for fear I'd fall asleep!.

I did my first 150 mile week just before Boston '78.

Two years ago I averaged 120 miles a week for 19 straight weeks...I stopped becasue I got REAL CRANKY!!! Hence it wasn't fun...I missed the other stuff that went with the training then....tv, movies, going to the races, M&M's massage.....of course I'm doing the M7M's and Tv pretty good today!!! I'm not running at all right now....haven't really for months.

I will hopefully, SOON. Because without running I'm REAL CRANKY!!! Funny how that works....lol!!!

Nice to find a balance!!!!

"it's one way or other..."

One of these days Orville, I'm going show up for brunch!!!

Great stuff Hodgie-san. Thanks for the link.

Patti, I second the thought that if you every get ahold of your old logs there are many many people who would LOVE to see them. I also think it would be good for many of the current crop of US marathoners to see the type of volumes you did.

This is fast becoming one of my favorite threads in awhile.

Did you get a chance to see how that much training at this time in life affected your performance? I've found that I can do that much but it doesn't seem to get the results it once did.

Thanks for the link to Alberto's training. I think I have looked at that before but it was a nice refresher. He needed a handwriting class, ha. I too would be interested in seeing BR's full log. Can't wait to see that. I have read his book a couple of years ago but since I have a terrible memory I need to read it again after going through this thread.

Thanks,

Chad