Duncan Kibet and James Kwambai : the role of Claudio Berardelli, and analysis of something new in training

I copied all the sections by Renato and paste them here

it makes an easier reading.

After the historical Sunday that changed the Marathon in the World, I like to speak about the young Italian coach of both the athletes at 2:04:27 (Duncan Kibet and James Kwambai). Claudio Berardelli is a very young (27 years), motivated and humble person. He's doctor in Science of the Movement, and from about 3 years works in Kenya.

Looking at the results of his athletes, at the moment he can be considered the coach number 1 in the World in Middle and long distances.

His Marathon runners are, apart Kibet and Kwambai, Martin Lel, Robert Cheruiyot, Evans Cheruiyot, the number 3 in Paris yesterday, the winner of Rome in 2:07:17 and many others about 2:08.

On track,he's the coach of the Olympic Champion of 1500m W (Nancy Lagat), of the World Champions of 800m M-W (Alfred Kirwa and Janet Jepkosgei), and of the new Matthew Kisorio, second behind Mosop in Kenyan CC Trials.

We share without any stupid secret our experiences in training. If I teached something to him, I learnt a lot from his new experiences. We have to learn from the athletes, discovering every time new possibilities in training, due to the different talent and the different physiology of everybody.

So, we are now trying to better understand the connection between volume and intensity, because Kibet and Kwambai have a training of high quality with little volume (130-140 km per week), many times running only once per day. But, at the same time, Martin Lel and Robert Cheruiyot have a training of high volume.

I will explain, step by step, what we are trying to understand and to analyse.

When we speak about Middle and Long Distances, from 800m to Marathon, we always must remember that are event of extension. Better, events of SPECIFIC EXTENSION.

We can classify the type of training we have to use in very simple way, looking at the speed, the duration and the goals :

1) REGENERATION, with the goal to better and faster recover the real training

2) FUNDAMENTAL, having the goal to create the aerobic base for putting in training workouts of higher intensity

3) SPECIAL, being the DIRECT SUPPORT of the Specific Training

4) SPECIFIC, that HAS DIRECT INFLUENCE on the performance

The problem for every athlete is :

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO BETTER SUPPORT THE SPECIFIC TRAINING, and the percentage of it inside the global volume we use.

REGENERATION : has the goal to better and faster recover the effects of fatigue after tough training. If the normal basic level of lactate in an athlete is 1.2 / 1.5 mml/l, after a hard workouts (expecially in the lactic zone) the level remains higher for 2-3 days, if the athlete goes to rest. Instead, after an EASY RUN, he is able to remove the residual lactate, and his lactic level can decrease under 1.0 mml/l, with a feeling of wellbeing.

For every event we have different speeds of REGENERATION, but normally the right speed is about 60-70 % of the speed of the Threshold. So, in case of a top Marathon runner, having a Threshold about 2:48 per km, we can speak of Regeneration when he runs slower than 3'40" / 3'45". In this case, 3'45" or 5' have the same effect, but many times running too slowly provokes mechanical problems.

Instead, for a good 800m runner (1'44") coming from 400m, and having a Threshold of 18 km/h (3'20" per km), Rigeneration is running slower than 4'10" / 4'20", but, because the biomechanical difference between the speed of the race (13" every 100m) and the speed of regeneration is very evident, sometimes is better to use other systems (pool, sauna or other situations not involving wrong running technique).

FUNDAMENTAL : We call this BASIC AEROBIC TRAINING. The goal is to be the support for evefry workout of higher intensity.

800m :

Duration 20' - 40'.

Speed : 1,4 - 1,5 slower than the Race Pace (RP)

Examples : Athlete 1'44" (RP 13" per 100m) : 18"2 - 19"5 per 100m (3'02" - 3'15" / km)

Athlete 2' (RP 15") : 21" - 22"5 (3'30" - 3'45")

1500m :

Duration 30' - 50'

Speed : 1,3 - 1,4 slower than RP

Examples : AT 3'30" (RP 14") : 18"2 - 19"6 (3'02" - 3'16")

AT 4' (RP 16") : 20"8 - 22"4 (3'28" - 3'44")

5000m :

Duration 45' - 1:10

Speed : 1,15 - 1,25 slower than RP

Examples : AT 13' (RP 15"6) : 17"9 - 19"5 (2'59" - 3'15")

AT 15' (RP 18") : 20"7 - 22"5 (3'27" - 3'45")

10000m :

Duration 1 hr - 1 hr30'

Speed : 1,15 - 1,25 slower than RP

Examples : AT 26'40" (RP 16") : 18"4 - 20" (3'04" -3'20")

AT 32' (RP 19"2) : 22" - 24" (3'40" - 4')

HM :

Duration 1 hr 20' - 1 hr 40'

Speed : 1,15 - 1,25 slower than RP

Examples : AT 59'47" (RP 17"):19"5 - 21"2 (3'15" - 3'32")

AT 1:10:40 (RP 20") : 23" - 25" (3'50" - 4'10")

MARATHON :

Duration 1 hr 45' - 2 hr 30'

Speed : 1,1 - 1,2 slower than RP

Examples : AT 2:05'(RP 17"7): 19"5 - 21"2 (3'15" - 3'32")

AT 2:49' (RP 24") : 26"4 - 28"8 (4'24" - 4'48")

How is possible to see, the speed of 800-1500 are the same, the speed of 5000 and 10000 are very close, and the speed for HM and MAR are the same. This means that, with a correct methodology, WE CAN HAVE A STRATEGY FOR MOVING IN TWO YEARS FROM ONE DISTANCE TO THE LONGER USING THE SAME SPEED BUT EXTENDING THE DURATION.

The BASIC AEROBIC MILEAGE is the first step for building up the ENDURANCE. We need to increase it during the first 3-5 years of career, after is no more so important.

The next step regards the SPECIAL ENDURANCE.

SPECIAL TRAINING : is the training that DIRECTLY is joined with the SPECIFIC Training.

We have 2 branches of SPECIAL TRAINING :

a) Biomechanical support (type of strength connected with the event, and speed faster than 10% of the speed of the event)

b) Bioenergetic / Methabolic support (extension around the 90% of the speed of the event).

We can give some example of the SPECIAL speed for event :

800 (Athlete 1'44") : 28"/29" (200), 56"/58" (400), 1'10"/1'13" (500), 1'24" / 1'27" (600), 2'28" / 2'32" (1000), 5'20" / 5'30" (2000), Competitions of 1500m

1500 (Athlete 3'30") : 1' / 1'02" (400), 1'15" / 1'18" (500), 1'30" / 1'33" (600), 2'32" / 2'37" (1000), 5'20" / 5'30" (2000), 8'15" / 8'30" (3000), 4 km continuous in 11', competitions of 3000 / 5000m

5000 (Athlete 13') : 62" / 64" (400), 1'32" / 1'36" (600), 2'40" / 2'45" (1000), 5'30" / 5'40" (2000), 8'25" / 8'40" (3000), 8-12 km continuous run at 2'55" / km, competitions of Cross and 10000m

10000 (Athlete 26'40") : 64" / 66" (400), 2'45" / 2'50" (1000), 5'35" / 5'45" (2000), 8'30" / 8'45" (3000), 15 km continuous run at 3' > 2'55", competitions of cross and HM

HM (Athlete 60') : 2'50" / 2'55" (1000), 5'45" / 5'55" (2000), 8'45" / 8'55" (3000), 25 km continuous run at 3' /km, competitions of cross or pacing 25-30km in a Marathon

MARATHON (Athlete 2:05') : 2'42" / 2'45" (1000), 5'30" / 5'40" (2000), 8'20" / 8'35" (3000), 14'10" / 14'30" (5000), 20km continuous run at 2'55" / 3', 45-50 km continuous run at 3'20", competitions of 10000m / Cross / HM.

How is possible to see, FOR THE MARATHON SPECIAL TRAINING IS SOMETHING SHORTER AND FASTER THAN THE MARATHON.

For all the other events, is something Longer (as global volume) and slower than the Race Pace

SPECIFIC TRAINING : is all the Training including speeds between 95 and 105% af the speed of the race. For a middle distance runner, SPECIFIC is TO RUN, and nothing else. When we speak about exercises, gym and other training of support, we speak about FUNDAMENTAL or SPECIAL TRAINING, useful for bettering the SPECIFIC.

Which are the specific speeds for events ?

800m (1'44") : 12"4 - 13"6 per 100m

1500m (3'30") : 13"3 - 14"7 per 100m

5000m (13') : 14"8 - 16"4 per 100m

10000m (26'40") : 15"2 - 16"8 per 100m

HM (59'47") : 16"2 - 17"8 per 100m

MAR (2:05') : 17" - 18"7 per 100m

If we have to give some example, for the different events, we can show some workouts as follows :

800m

- 2 sets of 5 x 300m in 39" (rec. 1' between tests, 4' between sets)

- 4 x 400 in 51" rec. 5' / 6'

- 3 x 600 in 1'17" rec. 6' / 8'

- 1000 in 2'17" + 400 in 51" + 200 in 24"5, rec. 8'

1500m

- 2 sets of 8 x 300m in 40" (rec. 45" between tests, 4' between sets)

- 8 x 400 in 56" rec. 2'

- 5 x 600 in 1'24" rec. 3' / 4'

- 3 x 1000 in 2'20" rec. 6' / 8'

- 2000 in 4'55" + 1000 in 2'22" + 600 in 1'24", rec. 6'

5000m

- 15 x 400 in 60" rec. 45"

- 10 x 600 in 1'30" / 1'32" rec. 1'30" / 2'

- 6 x 1000 in 2'32" / 2'36" rec. 2' / 3'

- 3 x 2000 in 5'15" / 5'20" rec. 3' / 4'

- 3000 in 8' + 2000 in 5'15" + 1000 in 2'32", rec. 5' / 6'

10000m

- 15 x 600 in 1'33" / 1'35" rec. 1'30"

- 10 x 1000 in 2'36" / 2'38" rec. 1'30" / 2'

- 4 x 2000 in 5'15" + 1 x 1000 in 2'30" rec. 4'

- 3000 in 8' + 2 x 2000 in 5'20" + 4 x 1000 in 2'38", rec. 3' between 3000 / 2000, 2' between 2000, 1'30" between 1000

- 7 x 2000 in 5'35"/ 5'40" rec. 400m in 2'

- 5 x 3000 in 8'25" rec. 1000m in 3'15" / 3'20"

- 3 x 5000 in 14'15" rec. 1000m in 3'20"

- 15 km long continuous run at 102 % HMP

- 25 km long continuous run at 97% HMP

MARATHON

- 6 x 4000 in 11'40" rec. 1000m in 3'20" (29 km)

- 5 x 5000 in 14'40" rec. 1000m in 3'20" (29 km)

- 4 x 6000 in 17'40" rec. 1000m in 3'20" (27 km)

- 4 x 7000 in 21' rec. 1000m in 3'15" (23 km)

- 5 x 2000 in 5'40" inside a long run of 35 km at pace of 3'15"

- 25 km long continuous run at 102% of MP

- 30 km long continuous run at MP

- 35 km long continuous run at 97% of MP

- 40 km long continuous run at 92% of MP

How is possible to understand, the global volume of SPECIFIC TRAINING for session is HIGHER than the distance of the event in 800m, 1500m, 5000m, is about the same distance in 10,000m, and is generally shorter than the distance in HM and MARATHON.

So, if we have 4 different phylosophies of training for different periods (using a MACROCYCLE of 6 months, for example, that can divide Indoor and Outdoor season, or, in case of Marathon, Spring and Autumn Marathon), we have MESOCYCLES having different percentages of volume and intensity.

a) INTRODUCTIVE PERIOD : Is about 3 weeks long, at the beginning of the preparation. In this period, the goal is to build up the general fitness at high level, using seeral means of training : Long Run for increasing the Aerobic Resistance, Gym for strengthening, Short Sprint uphill for increasing the ability in recruitment, Technique for increasing the running ability. With different percentage, this is the goal for every athlete, from 800m to Marathon.

b) FUNDAMENTAL PERIOD : Can last about 2 months, and is the most important part of the preparation. During this period, we reach the MAX volume of km, with growing intensity.

When we look at short events (800-1500), this period is used for a strong increase of AEROBIC POWER, and of STRENGTH ENDURANCE. There is not yet high speed, but the extension is important. So, it's better to maintain the same speed trying to extend the distance (for example, starting with 62" for 400m we move to 1'33" for 600 and 2'04" for 800 and 2'35" for 1000m)or the number of repetitions (from 8 x 400 in 62" rec. 2' to 12 x 400 in 62" rec. 2') or to reduce the recovery (from 8 x 400 in 62" rec. 2' to 8 x 400 in 62" rec. 1'). WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN RUNNING FASTER

When we look at middle events (5000-10000m), this period is used for a QUALIFICATION of the long run, moving from AEROBIC ENDURANCE to AEROBIC POWER. So, during the first part of the period WE INCREASE THE DISTANCE AND THE GLOBAL VOLUME, during the second part WE MAINTAIN THE DISTANCE AND THE VOLUME AND INCREASE THE SPEED.

When we look at HM and MARATHON, we have the same goal of 5000/10000m. During this period, these specialists can train together.

So, THE PERIOD IS FOR BUILDING VOLUME AT LOWER INTENSITY FOR TRACK RUNNERS, AND HIGHER INTENSITY WITH NOT VERY HIGH VOLUME (compared with the distance of the race)FOR THE HM AND MARATHON RUNNERS

SPECIAL PERIOD : it lasts about 2 months, gradually moving from the FUNDAMENTAL. These periods or MESOCYCLES are not clearly defined : training can evolve in direction of the speed of the different events, trying to maintain the volume.

In this period, we have again 2 kinds of support for the SPECIFIC period :

a) Biomechanical : training of strength becomes more specific, increasing the intensity and reducing volume in the case of short distances, extending duration at the same intensity of before in case of HM and Marathon.

b) Metabolic : the speed of training approach the Specific speed in the short distances, reaching level of 95% (in case of ENDURANCE), or faster than 105% (Full Speed Training). The training of Over Speed can be considered part of Special Period, being the support for going in the SPECIFIC SPEED ENDURANCE TRAINING.

The difference between the short distances and the long distances is that, looking at the short, we work with very high speed in short distance with long recovery, or with intervals with a global volume of 4km - 6km, at 92-95% of the Speed of the Race, with short intervals.

Looking at the long distances, we work with speed of 102-105% with a volume of 10-12 km (10000m), 12-15 km (HM), and 20-30 km (Marathon). We speak,in this case, about intervals. Different is the situation for Long Continuous Run.

We must build a funnel, where the intensity must be extended, and the extension must become faster.

_______

________

__________

________

_______

At the end of the funnel, we have the SPECIFIC PERIOD, for reaching the SPECIFIC SHAPE.

I want to precise that Lel and Cheruiyot are not my runners, but are, like Kibet and Kwambai, with Claudio Berardelli. When we speak of Claudio, we speak also of dr. Gabriele Rosa, that is the "mentor"of Claudio, giving him the first phylosophy about a correct methodology of training. Rosa was the first giving to Kenyans runners the correct idea about marathon training.

Now, we try to understand WHY for some athlete volume is a must, for some other not.

But, before going to analyse different situations,and to answer to many questions, let me finish to explain what we do during the SPECIFIC PERIOD.

In this pereiod, we INCREASE THE SPECIFIC VOLUME, in 2 directions :

a) WE RUN MORE REPETITIONS AT THE SPEED OF THE RACE (if we use the same distance)

b) WE EXTEND THE LENGTH OF THE REPETITIONS AT THE SAME SPEED.

This is what we do for EVERY event of endurance.

For example, if for an 800m runner (1'44") we were able to do 5 x 600m in 50" rec. 5', we try to add another 400 (6 x 400), or we try to EXTEND the distance, running (always with the same recovery of 5') 4 x 500 in 63".

For a Marathon runner, THE LONG FAST RUN (the final 2 times before the race) BECOME LONGER (34 - 38 km), THE SPECIFIC MARATHON SPEED ENDURANCE also becomes longer (for ex., 4 x 5000m with 1 km at 3'30" recovery become 5 x 5000, replacing one long run, because are 29 km), AND THE MODULATION GROWS.

You must remember that we NEED QUALITY, and it's possible to develop it ONLY IF THE ATHLETE IS NOT TOO TIRED.

So, while during Fundamental Period we continue to have high mileage for every day (so never the athlete run very fast, but never runs very slow), and during the Special Period we have already the right speed for th race but not yet with high volume, during the SPECIFIC PERIOD we have to do very easy training the 2 days before the SPECIFIC TRAINING, and we must recovery very well for the next 2 days.

I personally use, once every 3-4 weeks, a SPECIAL BLOCK (during the SPECIAL PERIOD) or a SPECIFIC BLOCK (during the specific period). Later I explain what they are.

So, THE PHYLOSOPHY FOR EVERY EVENT IS TO ENHANCE THE VOLUME OF SPECIFIC TRAINING, and the other type of training (Special and Fundamental) have the task to allow the athlete to do it.

The final question is :

HOW MUCH SUPPORT, and WHICH KIND OF SUPPORT, we need in order to reach that goal ?

When we speak about MILEAGE, we speak about something generic, that has very little influence in the real training. Mileage, without speaking about SPEED OF THE MILEAGE, is something useless.

Really, somebody can suppose that, for an athlete able running 42 km under 3' / km, RUNNING AT A SPEED OF 6:00 per Mile can be a useful training ?

What I referred about Kimwetich and "Jogo" Koskei is what really happened. When an athlete, able to transfer his sensations to the coach, tells you that "I feel better", you must use this regeneration when he wants and needs.

But I'm surprised that many don't understand the difference in regeneration AFTER VERY HARD LACTIC WORKOUTS (where the level can reach 20 mml), needing 2-4 days for recovering, and after a LONG FAST RUN of 35 km. In this case (that long run is at Threshold level or lower, and the lactate level doesn't overtake 4 mml), it's better to speak of re-integration of what we use during training : mineral salts,liquids, amino-acids.

So,in this case, to use LONG REGENERATION RUN can be useless, if not damageous.

You must always remember that, HIGHER IS THE INTENSITY, LONGER MUST BE THE RECOVERY.

So, if we have marathon runners as Kibet and Kwambai, they use a very high percentage of SPECIFIC MARATHON SPEED in their training : 80 km per week, it means a percentage of 60% of specific speed compared with the full volume.

In case of Marathon runners using high volume (220-240 km per week), the quantity of SPECIFIC TRAINING is lower (no more than 60 km per week), and the percentage VERY MUCH LOWER (25-30%).

If there are athletes needing this volume,there are athlete not needing it, too. Or, better, NOT NEEDING IT AT THE MOMENT.

I can give data regarding the average, during fundamental and special period, of the weekly km of Shaheen during the years :

2001 : 90

2002 : 120

2003 : 150

2004 : 180

2005 : 150

2006 : 130

But, at the same time, after building a very good aerobic base, the volume of specific high intensity training continued to grow.

One day of 2006, before running Zurich meeting (he was in a very better shape than when he bettered the WR in 2004), we used a SPECIFIC BLOCK like this :

Morning : 4 x 1600m (rec. 4'30") in 3'56" / 3'59" / 3'58" / 3'57"

Afternoon : 2 sets of 5 x 300m (rec. 30" between tests and 2'30" between sets), average of the first 5 : 38"3, times of the second set : 39" - 37"3 - 37"2 - 37"3 - 37".

Somebody can think that, during a week including that Specific Block, the mileage is high ?

For exalting the quality, we need to increase the MODULATION, and all the top Champions need to exalt the quality.

About the marathon, now we start to see some new athlete having the same goal : to exalt the SPECIFIC quality (running fast with great extension), while there are still other specialist using lower quality with great volume.

This can happen because, at Marathon Speed, the border between SPECIAL and SPECIFIC is not very well defined, and we can take advantage ALSO from SPECIAL VOLUME, with an intensity a little bit slower than SPECIFIC SPEED.

Why only now we have these type of athletes ?

I think because, finally, very young and talented athletes move to marathon. Before, top runners spent a full career on track, moving to marathon only when old and, already, consumpted and no more able to run fast like before.

Now, because the event of 10000m practically disappeared from the meetings, and also on road there are a lot of HM and Marathon, but very few competitions of 10 km with good money, many young runners able to run about 27' move immediately to longer distances, BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONLY REAL MARKET FOR EARNING GOOD MONEY (If you are not one of the top 4-5 in the world in 10000m).

To be more young, it seems also to have different attitudes in recovering. But we speak about this another time.

Yes, it's true that long runs and high mileage encourage the production of mitochondria and promote the growth of capillaries. The question is WHEN WILL THIS TRAINING WORK. If you want to build a house of 10 floors, when you arrive at the top you cannot continue to build. If you want to be more comfortable, YOU CAN ARRANGE SOMETHING INSIDE THE HOUSE, but you cannot touch the structure, that at the moment is finished.

In the history of mythologies, there were many Coaches and Scientists that used very long runs for the CAPILLARIZATION. The first was Van Aaken, great coaches as Frassinelli from France used to start every season with 3 hours of long run at 5.0 per km (Jazy, WR holder of 2000m). But look at the value of the performances.

Already in 1964, somebody (Snell) was able running 800 in 1.44. In 1979 Seb Coe ran 1.42.33. Now, nobody is able to run so fast. The Kenyan record of 800 is 1.42.24 from Sammy Koskei in 1984.

In 1500m, 30/25 years ago we had a lot of European (not TOP champions) able running under 3.32 (Wessinghage, Hudak, Deleze, Abascal, Gonzalez) and somebody under 3.30 (Auita, Cram, Coe himself, Maree). Athletes from GBR able running 3.33 (Robson, Moorcroft, Rowland) had to find fortune in other events.

In 2008 for the first time in 30 years NOBODY RAN UNDER 3.31.

Instead, in 5000&10000m we continue to improve the best average, and in HM and Marathon everything changed.

Why this, if not connected with the use of LONG FAST RUN, able to give stimula to the body.

Dont forget that TRAINING IS THE ANSWER TO THE PROPOSAL, NOT THE PROPOSAL.

Without stimula in some direction, there is no answer, and the performances go down.

The repetition, year after year, of the same training (running 2hr30 instead 2hr15 at the same slow pace is not a different stimula)brings the athlete to a situation of non progress at the beginning, and of decrease of his qualities in the second time.

The real difference in Marathon Training between the recent past and today, is the different interpretation we have about how to build the right fuel.

The secret of top Marathon runners is the ability in changing your engine.

As my English is not very fine, may be that is difficult to explain the idea, but I try.

We have a table. On this table there are 3 different containers : one is full of FAT, another is full of GLYCOGEN, and a third is empty. The athlete must learn to create the optimal mixture, taking part of it from one container, part from the other.

At the beginning, running at a supposed Marathon Pace (MP), he goes to use a lot of glycogen, and little fat.

When we go for the test of lactate (6 x 2000m even pace, including the MP, with 40.0 recovery, plus 1200m free at end : for example, at the beginning of the preparation for an athlete having the goal to run at 3:05 per km (2:10:08), we go for 2000m at the following speeds :

6:30 - 6:20 - 6:10 - 6:00 -5:55 - 5:50), we can see the level of lactate producted for every EVEN speed. From the lactate level, we understand which type of fuel the runner is using : higher is the level, more glycogen you use running.

In this case, one example is as follows (3 months before the race) :

6:30 1.7 mml

6:20 2.3 mml

6:10 3.4 mml

6:00 4.8 mml

5:55 5.8 mml

5:50 7.6 mml

Because there is not a STEADY LEVEL, the athlete at the moment is not able to run a full marathon at 3:10 (2.3 mml is a normal level of speed for running a marathon), but finish his fuel earlier,may be about 32 km.

You continue your training, EXTENDING THE DURATION OF LONG FAST RUN and of SPECIFIC MARATHON ENDURANCE TRAINING (for example, 3 x 5000m in 15'25" alternated with 1 km in 3'45", become 4 x 5000 at the same speed). After one month, you go for the test again, and these are the results :

6:30 1.4 mml

6:20 1.8 mml

6:10 2.2 mml

6:00 2.8 mml

5:55 4.6 mml

5:50 6.4 mml

We are starting to build a STEADY STATE between 6:20 and 6:10 speed, that means adaptation for a new type of fuel, less rich of glycogen and richest of fatty acids.

When you are really ready, you can have a final test as follows (we cancel the slowest, and use steps of 5.0 only) :

6:20 1.6 mml

6:15 1.8 mml

6:10 2.0 mml

6:05 2.4 mml

6:00 2.8 mml

5:55 3.8 mml

5:50 4.6 mml

Normally, for controlling HOW MUCH GLYCOGEN you have still in your tank, we use a final 1200m free. If you are able running at a level of 7-9 mml, it means that you have yet a lot of glycogen in your tank.

So, for PUSHING the athlete to chose,among the fatty acids, the ones having higher energetic power, WE HAVE TO PUT IN CRISIS THE MUSCULAR FIBRES AND THE BODY.

We start running FAST, for example, 28 km at 3:10 pace, waiting that the tank of glycogen becomes empty. After 28, suddenly you run 3:30 and after 3:45. THE REAL TRAINING ARE ONLY THE LAST 2 KM, THE FIRST 28 HAD THE GOAL TO USE THE FUEL YOU HAD IN THE TANK.

When the body is in difficulty, our fibres pay more attention to the ability in chosing and selecting and using the fats with more energetic power. The next long run fast, our athlete is able to last, at the same speed, not 28, but 30 km, going in crisis after that mileage.

So, now WE START FROM THE INTENSITY.

In the past, starting from LONG SLOW RUN, we had a lot of km NOT ABLE TO CHANGE OUR ABILITY IN SELECTING THE FATS MORE POWERFUL.

Not all the fats have the same level of power. Is like the coal : coke and anthracite are different kinds of coal, with the first we can last a lot of time with not many calories, with the second we can have a higher level of calories per minute, but it finishes in shorter time.

So, to change the SPECIFIC MARATHON ENDURANCE means not to run a lot of km without influence on the bioenergetic system, BUT TO CHANGE THE ABILITY IN CREATING THE RIGHT FUEL. And this is possible only putting our body in crisis, so the fibres are able to recognize the best fats and to use them, reducing the use of glycogen at the Marathon Speed.

Now, we cannot depend on the tests for knowing the speed possible to run. WE GO DIRECTLY TO BUILD THE ABILITY OF THE BODY IN RUNNING AT A WELL IDENTIFIED SPEED, before the race. WE BUILD EXACTLY THE MARATHON WE WANT.

When I use SPECIAL or SPECIFIC MARATHON BLOCKS, I want to obtain the same effect you speak about with a short MP race before the "real" long run.

However, the answer is strictly individual.

For example, Orlando Pizzolato, winner in NY in 1984-85, never was able running at the predictable level (looking at his workouts) when used 3 full days of very little and easy run immediately before the Marathon. After this, his coach, Giampaolo Lenzi, tried a new way : to reduce only a little the volume of the last 3 days, with some km at MP the day before the race. You could see the results : 2 following victories in NY is not something small....

During the long runs in Kenya (and in Ethiopia, too) normally the athletes drink only water. Sometime we meet runners going without any assistant (no car following them) in courses of 45 km, of course without any possibility to drink. Not only, but one of the most difficult problems to solve for training kenyan marathon runners is to teach them to drink. Many of them think that not drinking can strengthen their endurance in very bad conditions of weather. And, also when they drink, a lot of time they only put little water in their mouth, and after they spit out without swallowing.

Different is the situation during the race. Many athletes (not all, but many) use maltodestrines,if they have european or american coaches, knowing the system.

For example, in preparation of WCh of Osaka 2007, that we knew were very hot and humid, I went with Shami for any specific workout at lower altitude (Keiyo Valley), at 11:00 o'clock in the morning, in order to have full adaptation to the conditions of the race. Several times Luke Kibet came with our group. During that period, I always used Maltodestrines (in powder), melted in water, trying to create the best concentration for each athlete. In fact, the reaction in the stomach is individual, changing from every athlete. Somebody cannot use, because feels acidity after drinking, for some other everything is ok. In the case of Shami, we found a good solution using 2 normal spoons of powder in 250 ml of water. The same we use in Osaka, where he was able to win silver, in spite to have a sciatic problem that didn't allow him to run faster than 3:10 per km.

But also in the Italian Methodology of 20 years ago (producing Bordin, Pizzolato, Poli, Bettiol and many ladies), we used sometimes to go for long run WITHOUT using any refueling, in order to oblige the body in seeking the residual energy in some store, that normally is closed.

Similar situation we use when we go for SPECIAL BLOCKS of VOLUME (for example, in the morning 10 km in 33' + 15 km at MP (3'04" is 46'), the same in the afternoon). This means 20 km at 90% of MP + 30 km at MP in the day. In order to stimulate the body in using ALL the risources for lasting at MP, between the first and second session the athlete easts only vegetables and drinks water, without filling his tank again with carbohydrates. The final goal is to teach to the runner to use ALL the resources that he has.

That's the reason because a lot of km at low intensity, for an athlete already mature, cannot produce any effect.

What we need, is not a global very high volume,but the ability in growing, year after year, IN THE LENGTH OF THE SINGLE RUN AT HIGH INTENSITY. To increase the SPECIFIC MARATHON ENDURANCE is a physiological problem, as the athlete must change his ability in building the right fuel, using LESS percentage of glycogen and MORE percentage of fat for the same speed. We can reach this effect only using SPECIFIC SPEED for long time,not a lot of volume not stimulating the body in "scratching the bottom of the barrel".

Adrian, Claudio didn't have any new idea. He discovered that,for some athlete, it was possible running very fast a marathon without a big volume of km.

So, he discovered that there is a typology of runners not needing a lot of km.

But, attention : these runners had a lot of km before (Duncan Kibet is already 32 years old, and in the past, before meeting Claudio, he ran 3 marathons in 2:19, 2:20 and 2:27 : somebody can still think that athletes don't need a good coach ?), so we are in the CENTRAL phase of their career.

If the goal of big volume is to create the right support for THE LONGEST AND FASTEST RUN (that always have to become better during all the career, otherwise there are no more stimula, and the performance goes down), there is an individual limit for that reason : after this limit, the volume loses the reason to be.

The difference between various typologies of athletes are both physiological, mechanical and psychological.

About the last parameter, I remember Gelindo Bordin, that wanted go for 3 hours (52 km about) before his marathons, already after winning Olympic. Lucio Gigliotti (and I fully agreed) explained him that was no more useful running 3 hours after years of preparation at top level ; but Gelindo answered "After running 3 hours, I feel very much more confident and sure about the distance".

The process of searching and finding the best individual way for the top performance must include every side of the human qualities, and the ability to bring an athlete in top shape for the top event is something not connected with a correct knowledge of the methodology only. We have to look for a right way to build the self confidance, and to make the athletes sure about themselves.

One of the qualities for the best coaches, is to LEARN from the athletes. The relation between coach and athlete cannot be like in Army (the coach orders and the athlete obeys), but the coach is a TEACHER able to explain the reasons of every technical choice, with the mentality to make able the athletes, year after year, to go alone walking with his legs.

So, the type of relation is in continue evolution, and the coach becomes an ADVISOR for the athlete after many years of career, not needing to follow step by step every training, also those less important (like we need with beginners).

About the "minestrone", during the GENERAL PERIOD (including the FUNDAMENTAL PERIOD), we have to put volume in our body, not only of km, but for strength and general fitness. In this period, we look for the INTERNAL LOAD. This means that the training (I always remember that TRAINING is not the PROPOSAL, but the individual ANSWER of every athlete)must be valuated according to the level of personal effort. For example, if I give a program with 10 times 1000m in 3' with 1'30" recovery, but the athlete is tired, the day is cold and windy, and he is able to run in 3'10" only using the same level of effort that he uses for running 3' in good conditions, HE HAS TO CONTINUE FOR 10 x 1000 in 3'10", because the INTERNAL LOAD is in any case what we wanted.

Instead, During the SPECIFIC PERIOD, wego to prepare a SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE, and this is mathematic. If you want to run in 30', the speed you need for specific workouts is between 2'55" and 3' per km. If I tell you to run 10 x 1000 in 3', and you run in 3'10", is better for you to quit your training going for regeneration only, trying the SPECIFIC WORKOUTS another day. In this case, we look for the EXTERNAL LOAD, that is OBJECTIVE : for running the same time, every athlete (tall, small, young, old, fast, resistant...) needs to have a training with the SPECIFIC SPEED. That's means that we have big differences in the type of training between athlete and athlete during the GENERAL PERIOD, very little differences instead between the athletes during the SPECIFIC PERIOD. The only thing that can be different is THE SUPPORT (volume, recover, etch...) for the same type of specific training.

Renato,

in your training programs, you make large use of "specific blocks" (Monday + Afteroon), either at HM+HM pace or MP+MP or combination.

You mentioned that is the "ultimate" way to train all the reserves of the athlete and push him/her to make use of the energy in optimal way.

Now my question is how this principle could be adapted for "non full-time runnners" (for example, club runners with times around 2h20-2h35'):

would you still stick to this methodology, with adaptation to the real situation (and how, for example...)?

better to focus on a hard workout in a single shot (since the recovery can not enjoy the same recovery as a Pro athlete)?

Grazie

In my experience, also athletes not fully professional can have advantage using "Special Blocks". Of course, the intensity and the volume must be related to the other part of training.

So, if an athlete with an average of 30 km per day can use special blocks of 50 or more km, an amateur having an average of 12 km per day can use a Special Block till 30-35 km.

But Special Blocks are not only for Marathon runners.

We had Special Blocks of VOLUME (for example, 10km at 90% of MP + 20 km at MP both in the morning and in the afternoon), MIXED (10 km at 90% of MP + 10 km at 102% of MP in the morning, 10 km at 90% of MP + 12 x 1000m at 105% with 1'30" recovery in the afternoon), or specific for short distances (Special Block for 800m : 30' easy run + 10 x 600m at 87-90% of the speed of 800m with 2' recovery (in the case of a runner 1'44" : pace for 600m is 1'18" (78"), 10% of the time is 7"8, 1'18" + 7"8 = 1'25"8)in the morning, 30' easy run + 4 x 400m at 105% of the speed of the race with 6' / 8' recovery (in the above case, 1'44" pace is 52" for 400m, and 5% is 2"6. So, in this case, 4 x 400m in 49"4 rec. 6').

I saw every athlete growing a lot in his shape after using this type of training.

But the athletes must not do the mistake to arrive to a Special Block tired, and have to recover very well

During the SPECIFIC PERIOD, top athletes must be able to reach their peak of SPECIFIC QUALITY. This means, for example, the best speed and explosivity for a sprinter, the best reactivity for a jumper, and the BEST SPECIFIC SPEED ENDURANCE for a runner (from 200m till Marathon).

We must identify the most important qualities you need to develop in order to improve in your event.

How already I explained, in middle and long distances the final goal is TO EXTEND THE DURATION OF THE SPECIFIC INTENSITY, that means to improve both in the longest distance, and in the main event, because YOU CAN INCREASE YOUR INTENSITY FOR THE DURATION YOU NEED, maintaining the same INTERNAL LOAD.

In order to reach these results, WE ALWAYS MUST BE ABLE TO TRAIN AT TOP INTENSITY FOR LONG TIME. Our problem is HOW TO PREPARE this type of very intensive training, and HOW TO RECOVER after it.

I explained that TRAINING IS NOT THE PROPOSAL, BUT THE ANSWER of the body.

Training is an enemy, that the body must learn to recognize. Training is like a vaccin : you inject in the body a small quantity of the virus, so the body can recognize the enemy, for fighting and destroying it when tries to win with your body.

If you inject too much virus, this goes to win against the body, and you become sick.

Same thing about training. If you don't push near the border, there is NO STIMULUS, and the physiological level remains the same, sometimes goes down.

If you push too much, training wins, and you become OVERTRAINED : the body is too tired, and needs long time for reovering.

So, in the modern methodology, we MUST GIVE VERY HIGH STIMULA during the specific period, and we need, for this type of training, TO BE FRESH IN MUSCLES AND MIND.

At the same time, BECAUSE THE EFFECT IS TO GROW USING THE ABILITY OF OUR BODY IN SUPERCOMPENSATING, we need to recover very well.

After very hard works, we need to rest a lot, going for very easy regeneration. REGENERATION is not only under physiological pointe of view, but also under MENTAL point of view. Tough workouts have a very high NERVOUS COST, but if the athletes don't do it, never can reach the top shape.

Top athletes, and top coaches, MUST HAVE THE MENTALITY OF AN EXPLORER : they have to go in a DARK AREA, still unknown, in order to give new stimula for overtaking their current limits.

With a conservative training there is no stimula, and at the end there is no training.

That's the reason because, when a program is good, the first thing to do is to change it, in order to avoid every kind of ADAPTATION, that is the main enemy of STIMULA in training.

Duncan Kibet and James Kwambai : the role of Claudio Berardelli, and analysis of something new in training

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Duncan Kibet and James Kwambai : the role of Claudio Berardelli, and analysis of something new in training

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