Great Ed Whitlock interview in March Running Times

Nice to see that image of the now-famous cemetery.

Those old-style spikes are a trip.

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Here's the Canadian Running magazine article that Ed mentions in the RT piece (no "lies" - it's all been fact-checked!):

http://runningmagazine.ca/2009/10/sections/feature/comeback-kid-the-return-of-age-group-superhero-ed-whitlock/

Gastronicus wrote:

Nice to see that image of the now-famous cemetery.

Those old-style spikes are a trip.

there is no link to the article

that is fine except wrote:

there is no link to the article

I can see how that would present a difficulty. Had to go to the difficulty of typing runningtimes.com and then clicking on the picture right at the top of their webpage to get:

Thanks for posting the links to the articles.

I'm a huge fan of Ed Whitlock, and it's nice to see we have at least a few things in common.

Here's the essential advice:

"I do what not to do to an extreme," Whitlock says. "I go out jogging. It's not fast running, just that I do it for a long time. I don't follow what typical coaches say about serious runners. No physios, ice baths, massages, tempo runs, heart rate monitors. I have no strong objection to any of that, but I'm not sufficiently organized or ambitious to do all the things you're supposed to do if you're serious. The more time you spend fiddlediddling with this and that, the less time there is to run or waste time in other ways."

Also, Scott Douglas calculates that he runs 140 MPW. This is not confirmed though.

Funny how many Master's dump on age-grading, yet the most respected Master ever is driven by the tables.

I knew most of what was included in the excellent article, except the part about an aversion to hills. Most training advice worships at the altar of "speedwork in disguise" etc.. I'd say Mr. W breaks the mold on a number of fronts.

srightly inebliated wrote:

Most training advice worships at the altar of "speedwork in disguise" etc.. I'd say Mr. W breaks the mold on a number of fronts.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of scientific documents about training at an older age. Maybe Ed has found by chance what's best for elder runners?

Btw, I am really curious if the calculation with the 140mpw is really right? When Ed says running 3 hours a day, everyday - does he really mean it like that or is he just like everyone else of us how also sometimes goes shorter and we're more talking about 80-100mpw....?

Hopefully Ed W himself will come on here and elaborate, but he has said that when he has a marathon coming up he does indeed do 3 hours each and every day, except perhaps one race day/week (10k's and such). I think this is built up from a more usual 2 hours/day. From descriptions of running (including by himself) he runs REAL slow on these mostly, so maybe 9-10 minute miles? Even 10 min/mile would put him at at least 120 mpw (allowing one shorter day for racing). I suggest searching the site for Ed W threads where he details his training.

Nutella1 wrote:

There doesn't seem to be a lot of scientific documents about training at an older age. Maybe Ed has found by chance what's best for elder runners?

Btw, I am really curious if the calculation with the 140mpw is really right? When Ed says running 3 hours a day, everyday - does he really mean it like that or is he just like everyone else of us how also sometimes goes shorter and we're more talking about 80-100mpw....?

Yes I did run every day for 3 hours prior to my best marathons while over the age of 70. I don't know what pace I ran but it was probably about 9 mins/mile which calculates to 140 per week. I did run a couple of races before the marathons and those weeks would be lower mileage.

The lack of consultation with a doctor mentioned in the article has been misinterpreted by some. It is true that I do not regularly see a doctor and I had my last general check-up 35 years ago. I have seen a doctor on occassion over specific concerns over the years. Most recently 18 months ago when I was advised by a joint specialist that my running days were over because of deterioration of my knee cartilage. Another gave me contrary advise. I have done a limited number of races since then and I am still hopeful that I can get back into good shape again.

Ed

Hi Ed, please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought that for a while you ran just 2 hours/day. Then, you increased the daily runs to 3 hours. Did you notice much improvement in moving from 2 to 3 hours/day? How long did you run the 2 hours/day schedule and how long had you run at 3 hours/day now. Thanks

caveman wrote:

Hi Ed, please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought that for a while you ran just 2 hours/day. Then, you increased the daily runs to 3 hours. Did you notice much improvement in moving from 2 to 3 hours/day? How long did you run the 2 hours/day schedule and how long had you run at 3 hours/day now. Thanks

Its a bit difficult to summarise. In the period 1999-2005 I ran 6 marathons. The hours per week are the average for weeks 1-5 before the marathon

1999 Columbus 2:50:59 A few 3 hour training runs. 10.7 hrs per week

2000 Columbus 2:52:50 more 3 hour runs. 11.1 hours per week includes missed time for injury

2001 Forest City 3:00:23 more 3 hour runs. 11.1 hours per week. Not running well in races prior to the marathon.

2003 Waterfront 2:59:10 more 3 hour runs. 12.75 hours per week. Re-starting after injury layoff.

2004 Waterfront 2:54:49 18 consecutive days of 3 hours,67 3 hour runs in 20 weeks prior to marathon, 15.9 hours per week

2005 Rotterdam 2:58:40 19 consecutive days some up to 3 1/4 hours, 54 3+ hour runs in the 20 weeks prior. 21.3 hours per week.Missed alot of time in winter with head colds.

My conclusion, the more long runs I can get in the better my performance will be. Whether that applies to others ???

Hope this answers your question.

Hi Ed,

Could you give examples of the last two weeks before a marathon, and the last two weeks before a 10k?

Thanks

J.R. wrote:

Hi Ed,

Could you give examples of the last two weeks before a marathon, and the last two weeks before a 10k?

Thanks

September 2004 Races and training time (age73)

..............10k......................................Marathon

day15....5K race....................................10k race (The day1 37:33 race in previous column)

day14....3 hours....................................3 hours

day13....3 hours....................................3 hours

day12....3 hours....................................3 hours

day11....3 hours....................................day off another committment

day10....3 hours....................................3 hours

day9.....3 hours....................................3 hours

day8.....3 hours....................................3 hours

day7.....3 hours....................................3 hours

day6.....3 hours....................................3 hours

day5.....3 hours....................................rest

day4....day off family committment..............rest

day3.....1 hour (sort of intervals)..............30 mins very easy

day2.....1 hour easy...............................30 min

day1.....10k 37:33, 100%Age grade........2:54:50, 100% Age graded

Ed, thanks very much.

Where is the link

Good job!