Just to be clear, we all agree he's not training properly though?
IMO what he shows us is how you can have all these resources and work so hard and still get it wrong.
I'm 100% sure if you put sirpoc's brain in floberg's body and forced to live floberg's lifestyle outside of running, but the training is planned and performed by sirpoc, then 2:30 would have been broken in Fall 2024, or Spring 2025 at the latest, and he'd be sub 2:25 by now.
Though I used to criticize Jeff Cunningham, for all I know he is giving sound advice. Floberg has documented himself repeatedly straying from Cunningham's instructions. NSM is not his only way to improve. I've even said that John Davis would get Floberg out of his plateau (Davis, btw, is coaching Alec Blenis now. IDK if Blenis has been mentioned in this thread but he's yet another bodybuilder going after a sub 2:30).
As far as Floberg as a coach, I hate to say it, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's effective at helping completely clueless novices running 4 hour marathons down to low 3 / sub 3 marathons, at which point they can actually enjoy running, which isn't a bad thing. Like people learning to sing well enough to enjoy karaoke. A lifetime of improvement isn't necessarily the goal, though some go on to do that.
He can also dispense advice much better than he can set an example. His flaws aren't all lack of knowledge.
Ultimately, he's a very social, emotional, and hard-working guy. While all three of those traits can be used to get better, they can also hold you back. Currently he's on the wrong end of all three of them and he can't see it.
If this race goes poorly for him after he's made it unequivocally clear that he believes he can run sub 2:30 on Monday and he foresees no possible excuse for failing, I hope he finally makes some real progress in his post-race analysis. He does seem to at least try things (increasing mileage, speed block, strength training) to get those last few minutes. I'm sure he'll plan to attempt some kind of adjustment going forward, either mentally or in his training.
His training is still all over the place. He wants to run sub 2:30 then he could do a lot worse than get either of that guys you mention to help, sirpoc or John Davis. Both of which have taken already decent marathoners and made them quicker. I'm sure he will deviate from what he's given by them, but this is the problem, he will never improve because he doesn't want to do the dirty work to make it a reality. Hell, he could pick up the NSM book, read the pacing chapter which is pure gold and would have a better chance. He could do that today and still get a gain tomorrow.
He has so much information, but doesn't know how to apply any of it. 2:30 shouldn't even be a problem. Given what he's put in, he his spectacularly underperforming.
Fordy Runs’ new video contains a montage of him running set to a motivational speech by David Goggins. We’re so back boys.
I can't even watch Fordyruns anymore. He's the worst, will always be the worst. What he knows about running you can write on the back of a pound coin yet if me and friends go to a parkrun, you are guaranteed to see a fordyruns t-shirt.
He is the perfect conman, ultimate shill. Has the persona and the charisma of a used car salesman.
His training is still all over the place. He wants to run sub 2:30 then he could do a lot worse than get either of that guys you mention to help, sirpoc or John Davis. Both of which have taken already decent marathoners and made them quicker. I'm sure he will deviate from what he's given by them, but this is the problem, he will never improve because he doesn't want to do the dirty work to make it a reality. Hell, he could pick up the NSM book, read the pacing chapter which is pure gold and would have a better chance. He could do that today and still get a gain tomorrow.
He has so much information, but doesn't know how to apply any of it. 2:30 shouldn't even be a problem. Given what he's put in, he his spectacularly underperforming.
NSM is not the default, catch-all answer to everything, and I'm fed up with everyone on this website pretending it is.
Sure, it works for untalented dudes in their 40s who haven't ever followed a structured plan before and are trying to break 3:30, or for that one dude who happens to have a basically sub-elite cycling background, but most of the book is garbo that doesn't apply to folks at the level of floberg.
Show me one one other fast (<2:30) runner who is actually following 3Q,3E,1L and succeeding. At that level, it's far more nuanced than your NSM-monkey-brains could comprehend.
NSM is not the default, catch-all answer to everything, and I'm fed up with everyone on this website pretending it is.
Sure, it works for untalented dudes in their 40s who haven't ever followed a structured plan before and are trying to break 3:30, or for that one dude who happens to have a basically sub-elite cycling background, but most of the book is garbo that doesn't apply to folks at the level of floberg.
Show me one one other fast (<2:30) runner who is actually following 3Q,3E,1L and succeeding. At that level, it's far more nuanced than your NSM-monkey-brains could comprehend.
Wigglewaffle from the forum ran 2:23 down from a 2:37 following NSM almost 1:1, to be fair. sirpoc isn't the fastest 5k runner, he's not the fastest marathoner. We are well beyond it's just one guy. For declaring an interest, it got me from 2:54 down to 2:38 and I think I can break 2:35 at London next week fingers crossed 🤞
Usually it is the answer for a lot of these guys we speak about here, as whilst NSM isn't for elite runners, it probably is the best catch all program to do two things:
1. Focus on the things that matters and forget all the rest.
2. Make you understand training is a more long term focus.
These are the two things most of these runners here don't understand. Always looking for a magic bullet, the magic pill they can take to make all their dreams come true, be that doing too much too soon, or getting obsessed over their mile speed or insert in any other thing you want here, we have been through it all.
But structure isn't going to matter, even other programs out there, when a lot of these guys refuse to listen to advice, coaches etc. The fact most of them are sociopaths who thing they know more than anyone else, tbh this ks the main problem.
He’s got the middle aged, 5-hour-marathon-in-£300-shoes crowd in a headlock. I did the great north run and i couldn’t believe how many fordyruns runners were there.
If Aubrey put as much effort Into his training as he does grifting for freebies and attention he might go 3.30. Now roped his son in to be part of his Hollywood movies for the attention.
good luck in Boston where you actually don’t belong as you haven’t qualified, again. But got a free spot, again.
Drops an Insta post saying he’s not running the day before but is having a great time in Boston anyway because he’s met a load of influencers out there… including Kofuzi.
He’s got the middle aged, 5-hour-marathon-in-£300-shoes crowd in a headlock. I did the great north run and i couldn’t believe how many fordyruns runners were there.
This - I live on the GNR route so do it basically every year and it's infuriating how many there are - he's like a cult leader, but the only members he can brainwash are mediocre "runners" who are impressed by sub-30 5k's
Show me one one other fast (<2:30) runner who is actually following 3Q,3E,1L and succeeding. At that level, it's far more nuanced than your NSM-monkey-brains could comprehend.
I'm sub 2:30, late 40s doing 3Q 3E 1L using NSA paces for about 10 months and have hit recent PBs in 10mile, 10k, 5k (narrowly missed HM mark but I think I'll get it next time out)
I'd trained pretty hard for those PBs in the past off P&D/JD type training plans, so I'm quite surprised at how easily I've gone past previous bests off lower mileage given I'm getting on a bit and don't do any strength work
This post was edited 1 minute after it was posted.
His training is still all over the place. He wants to run sub 2:30 then he could do a lot worse than get either of that guys you mention to help, sirpoc or John Davis. Both of which have taken already decent marathoners and made them quicker. I'm sure he will deviate from what he's given by them, but this is the problem, he will never improve because he doesn't want to do the dirty work to make it a reality. Hell, he could pick up the NSM book, read the pacing chapter which is pure gold and would have a better chance. He could do that today and still get a gain tomorrow.
He has so much information, but doesn't know how to apply any of it. 2:30 shouldn't even be a problem. Given what he's put in, he his spectacularly underperforming.
NSM is not the default, catch-all answer to everything, and I'm fed up with everyone on this website pretending it is.
Sure, it works for untalented dudes in their 40s who haven't ever followed a structured plan before and are trying to break 3:30, or for that one dude who happens to have a basically sub-elite cycling background, but most of the book is garbo that doesn't apply to folks at the level of floberg.
Show me one one other fast (<2:30) runner who is actually following 3Q,3E,1L and succeeding. At that level, it's far more nuanced than your NSM-monkey-brains could comprehend.
Started doing as much threshold as I could stand (double T twice a week, copying Jakob Ingebrigtsen) and beat my 18 year old road 5k PR for 15:56. It definitely works. Youtube (@copycatrunner)
Really cannot believe how easily this thread falls for trolls sometimes, but this all means sweet FA if he can't execute a training plan or race well, and I've seen nothing from Floberg that makes me believe he's inclined to do either in quite literally several years.
He pays a coach just to pay lip service to, and he makes the same mistakes repeatedly because he can't be objective about his own performance and adjust accordingly. There is by definition no effective plan that will work with that, because his behaviour and decisions don't reflect the goals of an effective plan. What they actually emphasise is that he wants people to think he's fast on the internet, so the entire process is doomed or at best highly inefficient.
As to Boston....well, i'm always inclined to approach races with a fairly open mind, but if he mangles it again I will laugh.
It's Mary McCarthy here. I am the sun of the running solar system around which all you pathetic planets, moons and bits of particulate revolve. Kiss my gifted [insert brand] shorts and use my gifted [insert margarine] as a face mask. Lazy marketing and PR agency bods will continue to recommend me for campaigns because they have other clients to service. Good evening peasants!
Show me one one other fast (<2:30) runner who is actually following 3Q,3E,1L and succeeding. At that level, it's far more nuanced than your NSM-monkey-brains could comprehend.
I'm sub 2:30, late 40s doing 3Q 3E 1L using NSA paces for about 10 months and have hit recent PBs in 10mile, 10k, 5k (narrowly missed HM mark but I think I'll get it next time out)
I'd trained pretty hard for those PBs in the past off P&D/JD type training plans, so I'm quite surprised at how easily I've gone past previous bests off lower mileage given I'm getting on a bit and don't do any strength work
I know runners doing 7 days 5E 1Q 1L for half a block - no double sessions , but double easy runs .
Later in the block last 8 weeks it goes 4E 2Q 1L - just add a session.
Lots of sub 2"30 on that plan . It's not actually that fast and doesn't need nuances to plans for anyone with a little talent, just miles and some pace work.
He’s got the middle aged, 5-hour-marathon-in-£300-shoes crowd in a headlock. I did the great north run and i couldn’t believe how many fordyruns runners were there.
This - I live on the GNR route so do it basically every year and it's infuriating how many there are - he's like a cult leader, but the only members he can brainwash are mediocre "runners" who are impressed by sub-30 5k's
How many who are criticising Fordy Runs have actually used his coaching? I've been on the Gold tier for 12 months (only £99.99 per month), and it has transformed my running. Before I started with him, I was running 2 or 3 times a week, since he's been my coach I am now running 5 times per week, with double the mileage. I've gone from 4:17 to 4:02 in those 12 months and hoping to go sub 4 in London. I credit all my success to Fordy and would definitely recommend his coaching.
Just to be clear, we all agree he's not training properly though?
IMO what he shows us is how you can have all these resources and work so hard and still get it wrong.
I'm 100% sure if you put sirpoc's brain in floberg's body and forced to live floberg's lifestyle outside of running, but the training is planned and performed by sirpoc, then 2:30 would have been broken in Fall 2024, or Spring 2025 at the latest, and he'd be sub 2:25 by now.
Though I used to criticize Jeff Cunningham, for all I know he is giving sound advice. Floberg has documented himself repeatedly straying from Cunningham's instructions. NSM is not his only way to improve. I've even said that John Davis would get Floberg out of his plateau (Davis, btw, is coaching Alec Blenis now. IDK if Blenis has been mentioned in this thread but he's yet another bodybuilder going after a sub 2:30).
As far as Floberg as a coach, I hate to say it, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's effective at helping completely clueless novices running 4 hour marathons down to low 3 / sub 3 marathons, at which point they can actually enjoy running, which isn't a bad thing. Like people learning to sing well enough to enjoy karaoke. A lifetime of improvement isn't necessarily the goal, though some go on to do that.
He can also dispense advice much better than he can set an example. His flaws aren't all lack of knowledge.
Ultimately, he's a very social, emotional, and hard-working guy. While all three of those traits can be used to get better, they can also hold you back. Currently he's on the wrong end of all three of them and he can't see it.
If this race goes poorly for him after he's made it unequivocally clear that he believes he can run sub 2:30 on Monday and he foresees no possible excuse for failing, I hope he finally makes some real progress in his post-race analysis. He does seem to at least try things (increasing mileage, speed block, strength training) to get those last few minutes. I'm sure he'll plan to attempt some kind of adjustment going forward, either mentally or in his training.
His training is still all over the place. He wants to run sub 2:30 then he could do a lot worse than get either of that guys you mention to help, sirpoc or John Davis. Both of which have taken already decent marathoners and made them quicker. I'm sure he will deviate from what he's given by them, but this is the problem, he will never improve because he doesn't want to do the dirty work to make it a reality. Hell, he could pick up the NSM book, read the pacing chapter which is pure gold and would have a better chance. He could do that today and still get a gain tomorrow.
He has so much information, but doesn't know how to apply any of it. 2:30 shouldn't even be a problem. Given what he's put in, he his spectacularly underperforming.
I enjoyed some of his video on his road to sub-2:30. He had good points about generative AI. It also seemed like he has a good plan for attacking miles 16-21. Floberg is not my favorite but occasionally he has a good video and I will give him his props when he has some good content.
He says he wants to go out in 1:14:50 to close in 2:29:59 or faster, even taking the hills into account wouldn't it be safer to go out in 1:16 and then have more for after the final hill at 21, then blow past people the last 5 miles? I might be wrong re: Boston though. 1:14:50 gives him little margin for error.