There is no denying that Jim was a high mileage responder, as his coach (Bob Timmons) made him run many miles and many intervals. Jim went from running 5:38 to a 4:30 in the span of just several months.
That routine of big work didn't work for everyone though, as athletes at the University of Kansas hated Timmons for being a hard a$$.
As we all know, Jim Ryun started experiencing a decline in his career, possibly from the hard work catching up to him. He got sick often. He got booed in the Dream Mile after finishing in 4:20 (blaze up).
Tim Danielson was the next high school phenom to break 4. His team asked colleges for training advice, and they advised interval training. His team did that. Danielson said they made him feel "strong" and "prepared".
Farty Liquori was the third. He trained on the golden 70 miles per week and ran on sand with long runs that made him feel "strong". He ended up with PRs faster than the former two. He was the first human ever to run on "pure hate". He hated his opponents and wanted them to bleed.
Fast forward a lot of years later and Alan's Webb breaks Jim Ryun with peak mileage of 50. Proving that big boys can do it too.
Now Hobbs Kessler is making a breakthrough breaking the NCAA 1500 record as a high school senior and rock climber. His strategy is paying off, as he finds the perfect balance between strength and aerobic exercise.
Anyway, Jim Ryun needed to stop being such a lolygagger to be a great miler, but his coach loved to make his athletes lolygag. They were doing sexy workouts but failing epically in the big race.
If I coached Jim, this is the schedule I'd give him:
Sunday: 10 miles in 60 seconds
Monday: OFF, lift weights
Tuesday: 3 mile tempo in 13:00 (4:20 pace, blaze it).
HUMPDAY: 16x400 in 56-63. 10 burpees recovery.
Thursday: OFF, lift weights
Friday: 10 miles at lolygagging pace
Saturday: 5x800 in 1:55-2:05. 7x punch in gut with boxing glove for mental toughness.
Okay, I admit. This is only 30+ MPW but all of you know that I'm a strong avocado for now mileage. Here's his new schedule in the bass phase:
Sunday: 10 miles
Monday: 10 miles
Tuesday: 10 miles
Wednesday: 1 mile (all-out)
Thursday: 19 miles
Friday: 10 Miles
Saturday: 10 miles
As you can see, he is doing 10 miles every day except Wednesday and Thursday. That is because to be good at something you have to actually do it, so I have him run an all-out mile on Wednesday just as a reminder of what he's trying to be good at.
On Thursday I submit a 19 mile run to "confuse" his body! His body will be super confused after running a mile all-out instead of running 10 miles, and even more confused when it goes for almost double the distance! When you "confuse" your body, your body learns from that and stops getting as confused. It learns how to run better!
Here is his new schedule in the transition phase:
Sunday: 7 mile run at solid pace
Monday: OFF, weightlifting
Tuesday: 16x400 in 60+ seconds. 20 jumping jacks recovery
Wednesday: 8x400 uphill in 70 seconds. Later, 3 mile run in 14 minutes.
Thursday: 6-9 miles easy.
Friday: 3 miles in 13:30
Saturday: 7 mile run to the ice-cream shop. Turn around and run back home.
Mileage: 50!!!
With these schedules Jim would have more time for steak dinners and girls and a 3:50 mile. And when you consider modern tracks, spikes, and drugs, he gets down to as low as 3:42, breaking Hiccup El Guerrouj' world record!
Thoughts?