Cole Hocker trains like a triathlete

This week’s smartest coach ever, has been announced.

if it's really never been done, it's just experimentation. maybe we find that hocker does amazing with it, and Teare makes modest improvements and continues to be left off teams. Or if really is the smartest training ever, Teare will become a regular on our world teams.

How did it work for V Tech at Nats?

Hocker's had achilles issues in the past, which can be total career killers, so it's great that he's doing a lot on the side, while maybe running a bit less than his peers.

He does cross train a lot. But then again, so does Coop and he consistently under-performs.

Everyone knows Richtman training is where it's at.

Alternative thread title could be if you can't run as much as Jakob, put in similar aerobic volume in terms of cross training.

I have long thought being a successful distance runner means a lifestyle of healthy choices and activities.

If I could build the perfect life around high mileage running, swimming would be there every morning and biking would be primarily a mode of transportation but also evening cross training on weekends.

I would think lace kicking and punting soccer balls as goal keepers would for "drills" would also be good for improving strength & dorsiflexion.

Ninja warrior stuff too.

Hocker showing why he is the best 1500m runner in the world.

Some people enjoy set routines. Personally I go crazy with them. I need constant variety to avoid getting bored and burning out. Seems like a great way to keep him motivated and having fun

Many athletes could do Hockers swimming and cycling workouts; few can run 4:01 mile on 30mi / week at 18y.

The most important things about the cross training Hocker does is it keeps him in one piece and doesn’t involve jogging. The Alter G work is essentially over speed training, some benefit w a hamstrings risk.

I question whether 12:54 is underperforming.

This is it. I'm older now and can't handle the pounding of multiple runs or consistent longer runs. An elliptical works great. I also use a rowing machine and plyos.

Swimming generally doesn't crossover well to running. Deepwater pool running does.

Yeah that may be an over exaggeration, but I do like it when coaches think outside the box for new training methodology to make their runners faster, even using new technology like alter g to get used to racing speeds with less stress on the body, that’s quite interesting

Hocker has already done something amazing for last year’s Olympic final.

My wife ran for a Ben Thomas coaching tree product with a copy cat Ben Thomas system.

I would sum it up as doing smaller workouts and different things all the time, staying in touch with speed all year round, being more of an all around athlete than just a runner.

I think it works very well for talented athletes like Hocker and Cooper. They don’t need the miles and more “basic” workouts that the normals need. Long runs, long progressions, base work type stuff.

BT’s college results I think show this. Talented kids running fast and less development of “grinders” so to speak. Rarely has he gotten a team to NCAA cross, but his race horses are ready to go indoors.

I think it is great that the top 5 milers in the world (Hocker, Kerr, Jakob, Goose, and Tim C) all have different programs. Variety is the spice of life. People can dabble in them all and keep pushing the sport forward

cycling can actually cause increased achilles problems bc it shortens the muscle

30 hours/week? But yeah swimming/biking is a good way to get in more aerobic work without as much load if you're not durable enough to run more mileage.

Cross training has been around for decades!!! Cycling, Swimming, Rowing, Plyos, Alter G, Pilates, Yoga, etc... You would be surprised at how many world class runners use these forms of training. Parker Valby and Cole Hocker are just exposing how beneficial they are, it also helps that they're amazingly talented athletes which reinforces these training programs.