Steve Cram training from 1985 interview

Then he did the exact right thing for himself since he ran all his PR's in 85 and 86.

Could there be something for Webb in this? Didn't he bump up his mileage and end up 'sluggish'?

Webb already runs relatively low mileage.

I think when you get to the level that Steve Cram/Alan Webb are at you can not look at training as a one year thing.

I am sure Steve has said in hindsight that those years of higher mileage probably held him in good stead in future years and that he had the strengh to run just 50-60 miles per week in the winter of 05/06 and concentrate on strength.

Cram's coach (or maybe Cram himself) gave a fairly detailed interview in the British Milers Club magazine in the late 90's and when asked for a standard winter he talks about a high mileage program.

Anoterh thing to bear in mind is that back then there were down years where elite athletes would concentrate on training. Cram had the Olympics in 84 and no major championships in 85 - but had the Commonwealth games and European Champsionships in 86.

Cram's 800 at the Commonwealth Games could be the best 800 ever run. Totally in control and he basically negative split a 1.42. Had the race won with 200 to go. If you have not seen it I am not sure if it is youtube or something but you should try and see it.

There was a long article some years ago in the BMC Journal describing Cram's training. When he was at his best, he had a maximum of 80 mpw, and usually less. One year, he tried much higher mileage--120 as I recall--had bad results and went away from it.

Webb seems similiar. Last year at Nationals he said that he was going back to the way he trained in high school, when "I was a speed guy," and he ran 3:30 and 1:43. This year he has apparently trained harder (longer?) and the results speak for themselves.