This is no doubt a little untimely given that were in the middle of race season in NA but I'm struck by the contiuum of training approaches I see utilized and recommended. On one end is the LSD, train the aerobic engine, big volume, low intensity approach. On the other is the short-fast, power-strength approach, lots of speed-power nueromuscular development through interval work, and very little long distance oriented training. Of course there's a significant group in the middle, and those of us are willy-nilly visiting all parts of the continuum. Any one have a reference for an article or is in the know regarding the science, pro's-con's of each approach.
Several contexts drive the question. My first IM I did 7 centuries prior to the race, 1/2 a dozen 14-16 mile runs. WIth a coach over the last 10 months my "long" preps for LP, max distance on the bike will be 80 miles and that once. I'll have a 14 miler and maybe a 16 miler completed for the long runs. Karen Smyers, as I recall, main training staple for her early IM's were 50/10 (hammer) bricks and long ride was not much more than 60-70. Thomas H. on the other hand posts huge training numbers. I'm not familair with the current training methods of the short-course guys who are doing so well but would seem to bring a background of speed-power vs the over-distance approach. A vareity of approaches and seeming successful for some. Lots of questions arise. Looking for the light.
Chappy
Several contexts drive the question. My first IM I did 7 centuries prior to the race, 1/2 a dozen 14-16 mile runs. WIth a coach over the last 10 months my "long" preps for LP, max distance on the bike will be 80 miles and that once. I'll have a 14 miler and maybe a 16 miler completed for the long runs. Karen Smyers, as I recall, main training staple for her early IM's were 50/10 (hammer) bricks and long ride was not much more than 60-70. Thomas H. on the other hand posts huge training numbers. I'm not familair with the current training methods of the short-course guys who are doing so well but would seem to bring a background of speed-power vs the over-distance approach. A vareity of approaches and seeming successful for some. Lots of questions arise. Looking for the light.
Chappy