Parker Valby says she only run 2-3 days per week

Super impressed with a Valby. A true goddess

let me guess. you are 40ish years old, single, was a decent but not great runner when younger. you like pretty blonde girls. no wonder you’re super impressed

lol. Not too far from the mark

Due to time constraints, I had to train like this (3 runs plus cross-training, on two or three days). Initially, I invested a lot in cross-training, but later extended the three runs in total and used the cross-training according to my form on the day and more for recovery, because all the runs were very challenging and I was glad about to keep it easy. As a result, I achieved several PBs. I was also injury-free and always keen to do the runs. A good coach can optimize this principle.

Most runners would benefit from more overall cardiovascular fitness that comes from additional volume through non running. Look how Sophia Laukli just smoked a bunch of pure runners like Allie Ostrander and others in the Golden Trail Series with no running base, just a tun of volume via Nordic Skiing and 25 or 30 miles of running per week. Gwen Jorgensen ran a 15:10 coming off triathlon training. There is a certain amount of volume that was always assumed to only come from high mileage that you can easily get through cycling, xc skiing, swimming, arc trainer, etc and not risk injury.

Does she's solely cross train/ elliptical or is she using the alter G as well

To be clear I am big Parker fan but I just want to point out her lesser running time during training replaced by cross-training obviously has its limits by sacrificing her endurance.

That 6K works for her because it's her absolute limit, she starts to fade after 5K every single time and that's why she frontruns so hard because she knows darn well she wouldn't have an ounce of kick left and the tactic is obviously to make competitors give up seeing the gap or unable to close the gap in time (they get remotely close but not enough runway).

If women were racing 10K like the men she might not even finish in the top ten with her current training. I don't think she could do 10000m on track anytime soon.

Now if she figures out how to increase her base without injury over the next few years as a pro all that will change.

Interesting how her performance profile is so similar to Letesenbet Gidey, very fast and consistent, great form, but no kick.

Thanks for breaking down those numbers for us

I just saw the instagram photo that goes along with the quote. She is the next Kara. Kara made a bunch of money from her combination of talent and beauty. Whichever company signs her has hit the jackpot.

An alternative theory here is she fades either because she goes out too fast, or because she sees she has a gap and coasts home. No different from anyone else, her optimal time will come with even splits. She also doesn't have a kick because she is a slow sprinter. Little of this has to do with cross training, or a 6k limit.

This may also shock you. My daughter's hs team trains for 5k. They all just ran a 10k road race. Nobody was injured, they all finished.

100% wrong. The myth that "running" is the only and best way to get into aerobic and vo2max shape is just that - garbage. Swimming, low impact treadmill, elliptical, weights, yoga, etc. are all far more beneficial than running a bunch of garbage easy or even "medium" pace miles. The lack of physiological knowledge amongst the running community and coaches is astounding. If she's using her 3 days per week wisely and intensely (ie 3 quality running workout days per week, then she can certainly get fit enough to have success at the NCAA level. She's obviously insanely talented as well, which of course is the key ingredient for her level of success vs average Joan.

Kids out there, take note. The problem is that there are not many top runners motivated or disciplined enough to stick to that rigorous of a cross training regimen. Kudos to her!

"not injured and finished" is not what I am saying

I am sure they could run a 4:30 marathon and finish too

I actually think the women should be racing 10K XC at the D1 regional and D1 championship levels

What I am saying is when Parker drops 5 minute miles when only running 30 miles per week, no amount of cross-training is going to allow her to extend that pace from 18 minutes to 31 minutes

But 18 minutes is literally the perfect limit for her training. It might even be on purpose.

Count me out of those who are falling for it.

You know what is not a myth? Running makes you a better runner. 2-3 days per week of running is not even close to enough running to destroy most people in running. But feel free to keep falling for it. I wish she would've said she runs 1x per week just to see how many of you would still buy it. I bet many.

This

Absolute nonsense. The purpose of mileage isn't just aerobic. It is practising the skill of running. If the type of training you advocate is do superior, then why aren't the triathletes the best runners?

Gustav Iden, world class triathlete, claims he could easily run a marathon in 2:12h and if he would train more specific faster than that. That would crush most US runners. So much for that.

"claims he coud" is the important part. Either way he could never achieve any Norwegian national records. If only Sondre Moen and Jakob knew about cross training!