I love the debate around the Hanson plan; and I do believe it is physiologically sound....but to echo earlier post...I do not believe it is well suited to most runners. It is a tough plan to execute and I also believe it leaves many (most) unprepared psychologically for the last 6-10miles of the race...a very long time unless your running 6min. pace or better.
I'm a 2:38 Marathoner (admittedly in my 20's) which I achieved on typically mix of mileage and speed...and multiple long runs of 18-22 miles....I am now in my 50's and two years ago after running 3:25 on triathlon training...I wanted to take a real crack at 3:00hrs again with a run focused program....and I tried the Hanson program. First caveat is that I trained at the pace I was hoping for ...not the pace I was really ready for...and I ended up getting injured (Achilles)...not enough to stop my training...but enough to put a dent into my time goal....I completed the race but I didn't race it...I just ran it....
This intense focus on pace running and cumulative fatigue...I think is unsuited to many runners outside younger & elite type runners...unless taken up with caution...and as I said even then leaves more unexperienced runners unprepared for another 60-90 minutes trying to hold pace at the end of a marathon...
Just IMHO.
I'm a 2:38 Marathoner (admittedly in my 20's) which I achieved on typically mix of mileage and speed...and multiple long runs of 18-22 miles....I am now in my 50's and two years ago after running 3:25 on triathlon training...I wanted to take a real crack at 3:00hrs again with a run focused program....and I tried the Hanson program. First caveat is that I trained at the pace I was hoping for ...not the pace I was really ready for...and I ended up getting injured (Achilles)...not enough to stop my training...but enough to put a dent into my time goal....I completed the race but I didn't race it...I just ran it....
This intense focus on pace running and cumulative fatigue...I think is unsuited to many runners outside younger & elite type runners...unless taken up with caution...and as I said even then leaves more unexperienced runners unprepared for another 60-90 minutes trying to hold pace at the end of a marathon...
Just IMHO.