Does anyone know of Arkansas workouts... Sorry John McDonnell

That training looks VERY "old school"- as in '70's- where no one called out threshold workouts per se, but between high-end aerobic runs and regular low-key races, all the bases are covered.

I agree with those who say that the "secret" is not in the schedule, but in the consistency, the details of recovery and the unmeasurable benefit of having an experienced eye watching over you, who also communicates goals effectively.

Consistent training over a long period of time, void of injuries, with 2-3 hard workouts every week and a long run. It is simple. All the top programs do this and it works. Search Running Times archives for McDonnell and you will find an article or two that has a few interesting points on their training.

400-1500 coach wrote:

That training looks VERY "old school"- as in '70's- where no one called out threshold workouts per se, but between high-end aerobic runs and regular low-key races, all the bases are covered.

I wouldn't call it 'old school', I'd call it 'world class school'. Arkansas training is typical of what world class runners do. They don't kill themselves on long runs; while the wannabes are out doing 20 milers they're doing 14 miles or less. Tempo runs are not the focus of the training week. They train at the paces they expect to race.

The post by Mulvaney is for real. I've lived near the UA for 16 years and trained with the team 2 years even though I wasn't on the team. Honestly, that post is really the way it is. No BS!

I meant "old school" in a positive way. Obviously focusing on race pace + high-end aerobic (over threshold) is a proven formula, especially in the context of a season schedule with regular racing.

If there was no formula then why are all these sports physiologists doing all this research? why doesnt everyone just do 100meters sprints everyday then...right? why not jumping jacks for 3 hours then 15 miles at 6minute pace?

forget all those losers who talk about base phase, peaks, tapers, threshold runs, rest between repeats, etc., etc., they are just jokers who are seaching for some sort of "magic formula" when they should know that all you have to do is run hard. forget your coaches, forget vigil, and lananna and whoever else is selling this snake oil known as training programs....idiots.

Coach McD fan wrote:

I can't tell you about the exact training methods, but I can tell you that everyone has a great respect for Coach McDonnell. He instills an incredible amount of confidence in his runners. If you follow his training and he tells you you CAN run a certain time, then you had better believe you can! You don't question him, you just do it! Sometimes you can exceed your physical limitations just because he tells you that you can! It's a level of respect and trust in a coach that I have never seen anywhere else in any other coach! I feel fortunate to know him! He's really a great guy!

Sounds just like the York high school kids and Coach Newton.

Confidence in an ability to do anything is something 'all' it takes (+ hard work, obviously). And, it never hurts to have an extremely knowledgable, experienced and passionate coach in your corner.