Something New in Training: The Methods of Renato Canova and Claudio Berardelli

Looks like Duncan Kibet didn't do anything in 2011. For James Kwambai I see a 1h HM and a 30k (?). That's it?

Thanks for posting this. I believe that whether or not this is completely accurate, it is a great summary of what training is supposed to do and what it should look like. Great job.

Nutella1 wrote:

For James Kwambai I see a 1h HM and a 30k (?). That's it?

He won the Seoul Marathon on Sunday.

Augusto E. Perez wrote:

He won the Seoul Marathon on Sunday.

Thanks - 2:08:13. Not more than a jog in the park for a 2:04 guy you'd think.

It's too bad those Kenyan athletes don't communicate. It would be great to get an insight of what they have been up to, how their training went, any injuries etc - to get a better understanding of how to evaluate their performances.

bump. Mr. Canova?

JoongAng Seoul Marathon is rain and cold, bad conditions.

http://www.iaaf.org/LRR11/news/newsid=62854.html

It is always very interesting to see what the top athletes are doing, but be careful in always trying to copy the way they train and in using what Canova uses.

I see very little in what Canova does that is different or earth shattering. What I and many other coaches do is very similar - except we are not coaching the greatest Kenyans and Ethiopians.

Canova is very experienced and experience means a lot, but try to develop your own coaching philiosophy by using your observations from experience, scientific studies, and ideas borrowed from other coaches like Canova. Don't use anything from another coach unless you understand it's purpose and understand how to properly incorporate it into your own program.

We often follow the best athletes' coaches blindly. We have been doing it for years (Lydiard, Coe, Wilson, Canova). But realize that they all had access to the most talented runners and through the years, we later realized that the methods we were copying we're not always intelligent.

Have you attempted Canova's training. It is definitely different. The man is a genius.

Terrible Tim wrote:

I see very little in what Canova does that is different or earth shattering. What I and many other coaches do is very similar - except we are not coaching the greatest Kenyans and Ethiopians.

How do you attempt Canova's training. Do you replicate what Merga does?

Training is different for every runner. Yes, you can adapt some things from other coaches, but you can't just "attempt training" from a coach unless you have him coach you.

Terrible Tim wrote:

How do you attempt Canova's training. Do you replicate what Merga does?

Training is different for every runner. Yes, you can adapt some things from other coaches, but you can't just "attempt training" from a coach unless you have him coach you.

How do you know it's not good then, since you're not able to attempt it.

My point is that you can't just attempt everything he does. You can certainly borrow some methods if you think they may work better than what you do.

There is nothing earth shattering to me in those nine pages. Working both continuous runs lower and low end intervals higher to meet specifically in the middle is not new. Most experienced coaches have figured out to take at least 2 easier days between hard breakdowns (depending on the workout and athlete).

I haven't a lot of experience with the marathon, but have heard others comment on the fact that after years of high mileage running, one should decrease the volume and concentrate more on the pace.

I am a little surprised at the rather easier paces for the specific 800m workouts - maybe this is why they've had more success in the longer distances than the 800m.

Yes there are always people who fail to realize that it is the athlete who is the best, not the coach.

Does anyone have an idea of how long the Specific period would last? The document say the Introductory period is 3 weeks, followed by 2 months of Fundamental, then 2 months Special. There is no mention of how long the Specific period lasts.

As long as your racing season.

I assume you're trolling, but organization of training using fundamental, special and specific phases and Canova's suggested paces, while adhering to his principles of choice (supercompensation, for example) is very effective.

Terrible Tim wrote:

How do you attempt Canova's training. Do you replicate what Merga does?

And Canova discovered this? Where the hell have you been?

Do you speak to other human beings this way? You have offered absolutely nothing thoughtful, just banal observations. Learn how to communicate with other people.

Terrible Tim wrote:

And Canova discovered this? Where the hell have you been?

Hope canova sees this and reviews.

I've spent a lot of time reading and learning about Canova and have to say, this article is off the mark in most, if not all places. There are so many times where NS is just guessing and coming to conclusions of his own, presenting it as if it is Canova's own thoughts. It is quite obvious that NS has not read the Arcelli and Canova marathon pamphlet (or if he has, did not understand it).

Anyone who seriously understands Canova's training or has read his marathon pamphlet can see that the article has a lot of incorrect information. Not trying to knock NS for attempting to decipher the threads, just don't want people thinking this is the real deal.

Go buy the marathon pamphlet. Read it at least three times. Make sure you really understand it. Then revisit the Canova threads on here to fill in more information on other events.