RUNNING APPROACH
Knowing how to RUN BYFEEL comes from 5 Core Beliefs around our approach.
Belief #1 - TRAIN TO TRAIN. Most training programs follow a pyramid that includes three phases: base mileage at the bottom, adaptation in the middle, and racing at the peak. This has been the conventional model for most coaches and athletes for decades.
Traditional approaches fall short because the starting point is just about training to race. With RUN BYFEEL, an essential ‘train to train’ phase occurs first and transitions into a conventional model. Visually, this phase looks like a reflection of the conventional pyramid; training starts at the bottom of the upside down pyramid.
Belief #2 - START RIGHT ‘NOW’. Regardless of level, all runners begin training where they are right ‘Now’. The amount of running and time on feet increases gradually to build a strong base. New runners need substantial base miles to develop a base, experienced need less. A strong base will help you:
- Take on harder workouts
- Prevent injuries
- Achieve better race results
Belief #3 - FINE TUNE FROM THE BASE. Once specific time goals are accomplished with base training, the focus shifts to race specific training. The goal of this transition is about fine-tuning the aerobic system. The volume of work completed during ‘train to train’ determines how the conventional aspects of the pyramid will be approached.
RUN BYFEEL incorporates the ‘train to train’ notion and conventional training in four simple phases.
1. RUN BYTIME
2. RUN BYHEART
3. RUN BYRACE
4. REJUVINATION
Belief #4 - DO THE WORK.
Running training is like climbing a ladder. To successfully and safely reach the top, each rung must be climbed. Some conventional training skips rungs; such as building base mileage. Skipping rungs can lead to unsteadiness and an increased risk of falling to the bottom. Running requires disciplined work and consistency RUN BYFEEL helps you climb the right rungs so you can train longer, faster, and reduce the risk of injury.
Belief #5 - TRUST THE PROCESS.
The smart blend of new thinking and popular running theory has created the basis for the RUN BYFEEL training approach. Arthur Lydiard (1917-2004), a well-known running coach, believed since the marathon is 97.5% aerobic the majority of base level training needs to be aerobic. His athletes trained over 100 miles a week and were able to maximize race speed training only after they had trained aerobically. Runners can get faster by training aerobically, and limit the risk of injury that comes with speed and anaerobic work.
How does an athlete move from slow aerobic training to incorporating anaerobic speed work with success? The science is based on gradual increases to training intensities and volume on muscle fibers. The RUN BYRACE race specific and speed work can be accomplished successfully if the proper base training under RUN BYTIME and RUN BYHEART have been completed. RUN BYFEEL utilizes concepts from both Renato Canova, a successful running coach, and the Italian School of Marathon for this phase.
Regardless of phase, RUN BYFEEL provides a consistent approach to maximize efficiency and decrease injury. Learning and trusting individual thresholds enables runners to safely increase intensity and strain on the body. Ultimately your will learn how to gauge your body to truly RUN BYFEEL.