Somebody clarify something for me please?
Did Lydiard have his trainees (the original NZ group) go right out and run 20 milers from the beginning with no buildup?
I am confused as there are references in some literature about guys like Snell having a very difficult time the first few times out.
20 miles from scratch? In deck shoes or sneakers?
I thought that the famous Hilly route was around 22 miles?!? I have read/& reread every thing I can get my hands on about Lydiard. Most of my training as a Master competitor is based on his 4 phases, especially the base.
After my time off, I was able to go from 12 to 14 to 18 in three consecutive weeks on my longer runs. 20 would be no problem now. I am sure that Snell had to walk some before he completed his longer route. Good reading!
cheers
Seriously wrote:
Somebody clarify something for me please?
Did Lydiard have his trainees (the original NZ group) go right out and run 20 milers from the beginning with no buildup?
I am confused as there are references in some literature about guys like Snell having a very difficult time the first few times out.
20 miles from scratch? In deck shoes or sneakers?
Early on, yes. But, most people don't know or realize that the Boys were mostly doing 50-60 miles a week already. I've been told that he switched to time-based approaches after he began corresponding with people by mail. Due to people running 1:30 for 15 and others ran 1:45...he switched his program to 90 minutes, 6, 7, 8 minute pace...depended on person.
And, yes, Snell had a hard time the first go round. Arthur went to Halburg's house to make sure it didn't happen again.
No way they ran 20 miles "Cold Turkey".
It was after substantial amounts of running than Arthur would have said "OK, now you are ready for Waiatarua".
Leastways, that is how it was done with me.
One of the guys said "You are ready,Run with us tomorrow"
The next day I ran my first Waiaitarua. One of them ran it alonsside me. I have my time somewhere deep in the Archives. (It was 36 years ago !!)
We did not do the full 22 but the 19 from Lynndale club.
How many I hav done since I lost count many years ago, but it was nothing to some others.
if anyone knows Bruce Palmer, in Oregon, he ran with them...he might know...his stories are great (he's a little younger than those guys, but the group is what I'm referring to)
I'll second that. Bruce would have run more than his share of Waiatarua's.