A while back I read an article on either “Running Times” or “Runner’s World” about Hansons marathon training. The article was interesting and I think that many of us could learn a thing or two about how just marathon runners train. (Note: the “Hansons” I’m talking about here isn’t that horrible band from the 90s! If you saw the girl that got 2nd in the Boston Marathon this year you saw one of the Hansons runners).
I was browsing on Amazon for training books and found this “Running For The Hansons” book:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=running+for+the+hansons&x=0&y=0
The reviews say there is some useful training information, but considering I have limited time and resources I’m not sure I want to commit to the same kind of workouts that pro marathon runners do.
How applicable do you think their training principles would be in order to improve run times? Is it worth a shot?
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=4447
Here’s a little more detail. I’m not sure why this sort of training philosophy / plan wouldn’t apply to everyone in one means or another.
Personally I LOVE their focus on longer runs at marathon pace. I think that’s what makes them different…and successful.
Bob
But their long runs only go to 16 miles. Their philosophy is to run them at the end of a long week. Overall, I think its a good plan - but I need my long runs to be a bit longer 30K. I like to also toss in one 35K long run about a month out. I think once I get better at running hard late in the marathon I can shorten the distance on my long runs.
I think the difference between 16 miles and 30K is, what 2.5 miles? That’s negligible so shouldn’t be a big deal. I think once people get a handle on their marathon pace, it gets MUCH easier. It has for me.
What they do is toss convention on its ear and say “argue with the results.” I know for a fat Hal Higdon hates their stuff.
Bob
I used to go to some of there all comers training sessions. Not enough to be a Hansons expert , but I at least got to ask questions. The first thing is they don’t max out at 16 miles. They max out at 16 miles for people running not a ton of mileage. Brian Sell was running about 140 mpw at the most and I guarantee he was running further than 16 miles at times. Asuide from that the reason 16 miles is the max for a recreational runner is most rest the day before the big day then rest the day after to recover. So the 16 mile day averages out to may 6-7 miles over 3 days. By running hard before the 16 mile day you are “virtually” starting a mile 3 or 4.
Styrrell
Thanks for the input. Yeah, I found it hard to believe that their top runners only did 16 mile long runs to get ready for 26.2. I was just wondering what kinds of other workouts they do. I obviously don’t have the time or energy for 100 mile weeks (ha ha), but perhaps there are some key workouts that could be scaled down? Does anyone know if the book details some of the other sessions?
Sell was running considerably more than 140 miles a week, although he would list it at 140 and count his runs as 6:30 pace. We never ran 6:30. Most of our long runs were 20 - 22 miles and they would be 5:30 pace on avg, usually starting around 6 or so and finish around 5 min pace.
A 20 mile day was usually 14 and a 6 or 12 and 8. Workouts were generally long tempo type work.
The marathon training was a lot of volume, a lot of longer tempo/interval runs. There was no secret, just put the time/training in and stay healthy. A very low scientific approach but effective if you could stay healthy. Sell had nearly a dozen cortizone shots in each plantar, if I recall correctly. Tough sob.
If you ran 100+ (or 140+) mpw, you can make your long runs 2 miles and you’ll still kick-a$$ on marathon day.
I did Pfitz 70, and even with the 20-22 mile long runs, I still felt that wasn’t enough to really crank it on race day. Those long runs were crucial to my success - not just because I finished them, but because the Pfitz plans build you up so you can really WORK those long runs at the end (despite an overall aero type pace). In retrospect, I’m sure I would have run better with more 22-24 mile runs in my schedule at that volume.
I definitely don’t think the Hanson plan of an “18 mile max length run” is a good idea for the typical marathoner, even a good one. There’s a world of hurt between 18 and 26.2 miles.
But their long runs only go to 16 miles. Their philosophy is to run them at the end of a long week. Overall, I think its a good plan - but I need my long runs to be a bit longer 30K. I like to also toss in one 35K long run about a month out. I think once I get better at running hard late in the marathon I can shorten the distance on my long runs.
I think I remember reading that craig alexander doesnt run longer than 16 in training. Im not saying everyone should copy the pros but considering the run is his strength I think its telling.
But their long runs only go to 16 miles. Their philosophy is to run them at the end of a long week. Overall, I think its a good plan - but I need my long runs to be a bit longer 30K. I like to also toss in one 35K long run about a month out. I think once I get better at running hard late in the marathon I can shorten the distance on my long runs.
I think I remember reading that craig alexander doesnt run longer than 16 in training. Im not saying everyone should copy the pros but considering the run is his strength I think its telling.
IM marathoning is different than standalone marathoning, though.
Obviously, bike training will take a toll, but perhaps even more importantly is the hellacious fast pace you have to run as a standalone marathoner as compared to an IM, even at world-champion level.