The secrets of Parker Valby's cross-training are revealed

Elizabeth Leachman adopted her methods, and now is the fastest high school two miler ever, in the country, while still only a sophomore.

I said top runners, not high schoolers. It should now be the norm for pros, if it does what many here think it does.

So we’re supposed to believe this is actually what she’s doing? I mean, it’s not like anyone has actually seen her training this way. It could be a total lie for all we know. Same goes for Jakob and his training. Be careful out there people.

I have seen her. Many people have.

Women faster than her won't change what they are doing. That is a silly question. But if she can get to the point of running more amd cross training less, she will be one of the top women in the world. She is a generational talent. She is a natural.

It is intriguing that she ran so much faster than Schweizer who is coming back from injury.

And, that her coach was confident enough to try going for the standard in this set up with no other pros. I can't imagine Henes, Rogers or others just going for the standard solo.

The whole thing with her training is a bit unusual and I strongly dislike justifications like 'she's just more competitive' 'works harder'. All the runners on D1 work hard. What is the science? Or is there something else going on? Those are valid questions because her improvement is so extreme.

I have suspected for a while she was running more than they say and sure enough it is more like 4 days a week according to the article (not two), including long runs, 40 mpw plus the arc trainer.

Two? It was three days clear back at c-country Natty’s. When has it ever been ‘more than they say’?

When did all of the top runners adopt what Jakob was doing? When he started winning gold medals. (Not when other people were doing it before, because they weren't winning gold medals.) Parker Valby is more on the radar of US youth, so it wouldn't surprise me if people start adopting her methods sooner. Also wouldn't surprise me if it never catches on, because going at 70%+ of your max heart rate for an hour on the ArcTrainer is MUCH harder for most people than taking a jog for an hour.

If you have trouble with your achilles - or probably many other specific lower leg/foot vulnerabilities - ArcTraining can make it worse. So if you have the resources of a typical top pro, I'm guessing you will prefer a good underwater treadmill for much of your cross-training.

Going a different direction here, the article mentions that she likes the arc trainer that uses the arms more than the ones that don’t. I’m injured so I’ve been using an arc trainer a good amount, but I usually hold onto the side bars and focus on my legs to try and get my cadence higher. What are everyone’s thoughts on using the arms and going higher resistance and lower cadence vs just going with the legs and getting the cadence up? Maybe it doesn’t matter as long as you find a routine that gets your heart rate up?

I've tried both, but need the arms for balance - and holding the sides feels awkward. I worried that the arm strengthening or the leg assistance might detract from running-specific benefits . . . but hard to believe that's the case now.

Exactly. She has run a lot faster than Katelyn Tuohy. That is what is off for you.

Other runners have. Have never said a word. Meanwhile here we are trying to explain record breaking performances and a major jump in form based on straw grasping about training. Ok.

A solid year of health. Stop projecting. Valby is just much more talented than Tuohy. Everyone is not born with the same talent.

I find the arc trainers that use the arms get my heart rate up easier. Also, when I am on the arc trainer without the handlebars, I swing my arms in a running motion. It's like doing high knees without the impact.

She ran a 15:20 two years ago. And now she is at 14:52 fitness. These are her peak years of physical development. Is that so difficult to comprehend?

But some are more gullible than others.