Why did Ed Whitlock increase his daily 2 hour run to 3 hours?

Has anyone here tried to adopt Ed's 2-3 hr a day plan yet?

A few years ago, after running 2 hours/day for about 1 year, I tried to get to 3 hours by increasing my daily runs by about 10 mins./run every week so that I would have advanced to running 3 hours/day in 6 weeks. That proved to be way too fast and I burned out after I got to 2 hours, 30 mins/day in about 1 month. Its strange how I could handle 2 hours/day but found anything more than that really tough. Also, I came down with plantar fasciitis due to running on a tight indoor track in the winter.

Looking back, I should have eased into trying to get to 3 hours and I should have run outdoors more often but I got in a hurry, shame on me. Maybe 2 hours/day was the place I belonged and I should have stayed there. You live and learn. I was running at about 10 min miles and racing a lot which didn't help either. I'm 70 now and was about 66 back then.

People seem to think Ed runs three hours day in, day out, without fail.Search the forums and you will find that Ed admits he runs three hours "when possible" but he frequently has to stop and build up again.Trying to replicate someone else's training plan is a recipe for disaster.

I agree--Ed is an inspiration. I have posted here because my physical therapist has repeatedly stated that I will have to "transition to cross-training" at some point, preferably sooner. I have had two groin injuries in the last twelve months, one on the left and the current one on the right. Last year's was not that bad, and I could keep running on it, decreasing pace and overall mileage. The current one is worse, but I would say it is not terrible.The question about strength exercises is excellent. My guess is that Ed does not do them. My PT is always stressing strength exercises, and says I am weak in the core.It would be great to hear from you, Ed. Al the best to you.

Roy D. Mercer wrote:

Pretty awesome that a runner of Mr. Whitlock's age feels he still needs to work on his endurance!

You're an inspiration, sir. Thank you for wading through the moronic posts here to give some candid, thoughtful replies.

I'm curious if you've ever tried general strength exercises as a form of injury prevention - or just don't believe they'd work for you?

bump.

I don't do any strength training. Maybe I should but have not bothered. All I do is run when I can.

Ed

How are you doing these days, Ed, back to training etc.? I seem to recall you were rehabbing an injury last year.

Hope you're doing well.

Another Masters runner wrote:

How are you doing these days, Ed, back to training etc.? I seem to recall you were rehabbing an injury last year.

Hope you're doing well.

I read on another thread Ed's up to 40 min. a day now, feeling his way through some knee issues...hmmmm..I will say this I could never see myself running up to 3 hrs. at a time, but maybe some people are suited to this.