The systematic approach is the key. In the past there were many great coaches who had well defined systems. A key ingredient to any good system is time. It takes time to develop all the capacities necessary for success in distance running. Bill Bowerman, the late great coach from the University of Oregon, is a great example of a coach with a system who had the big picture in mind. He knew that it would take time for his runner's to mature. His program was very progressive in that the runner’s mileage and overall workload was very controlled so that the runners could handle the workload. His hard/easy principles definitely incorporated the concept of recovery. He understood that the body needed time to recover from hard training efforts so he scheduled easy days to allow for adaptation. His system was an eclectic system that borrowed from other systems that he studied and adapted to the American environment and the younger developing collegiate athlete.
Arthur Lydiard, the famous distance coach from New Zealand, is known for the marathon phase of training. No doubt that this base phase of his training was important, but I have always felt that the most important phase of his program was the hill training phase. This is where his runners developed the specific strength for the powerful strides that led to the ability to handle a fast pace and also deliver a punishing finishing kick. He does not believe in weight training but this hill phase accomplished that purpose. Interestingly his system produced top ranked runners from the 800 meters to the marathon with runner who had a wide variety of natural talent. This versatility is the true measure of an endurance training system.
Percy Cerutty, the eccentric Australian coach, developed a system that put a heavy emphasis on the natural aspects of running. It incorporated a lot of resistance running in the sand dunes. Running barefoot as well a big emphasis on lifting relatively heavy weights. In many respects Cerutty was ahead of his in that his emphasis was on power as well as endurance.
Franz Stampfl in Australia and Mihaly Igloi in Hungary and latter the United States both had systems that depended quite heavily on Interval Training. Stampfl coached Roger Bannister to the first sub Four Minute mile. It is Interesting to note that Bannister, because of his medical school demands, only had one hour a day to train. That is one of the advantages of interval training; with limited time it is possible to prepare for the intensity of the demands of racing. It is a very efficient system of training. It was first researched and perfected in Germany in the 1930’s by Dr. Woldemar Gerschler in Frieburg.
Mark Krueger
A good overview of the variety of traditional training systems out there. I think it’s also important to note that although Stampfl had limited time to work with Bannister on a daily basis, that Igloi was quite the opposite with his athletes. His sessions were very long in duration, lasting several hours sometimes. It is important to clarify that interval training does not mean fast (race pace or faster) running exclusively. I find this a common misconception when people talk about interval training, particularly Igloi.
I would be interested to hear your thoughts on what your training style preference would be with any given athlete?
As always, love your blog and thanks for all the work you do to help others!
Bruce Tharp
Your comment on Igloi is very accurate. At age 68 I still run like on a daily basis only I will include a set of hill repeats three days a week along with other sets of short repeats on a flat surface at controlled efforts.