New Training Theory, High Mileage, Heat Training, and the Effort Paradox - Strength Running

"Training theory is rapidly evolving. What we know today dwarves what we knew 20 years ago! Understanding the history of training is an undeniable advantage. In the 1950's, Roger Bannister ran incredibly little while doing a massive amount of intense speed work. That approach was flipped on its head in the 1970's as American runners focused on lower intensity but very high mileage running."

"But today we've largely discovered the correct balance of endurance and intensity. We now realize that mostly high mileage and strategic intensity is the right approach, with new insight coming almost monthly on: The importance of weight training Heat as a training stimulus New carb-loading and fueling rules The heightened impact of protein Speed as necessary even for ultramarathoners I wanted to figure out the most exciting new developments in the research."

"Alex Hutchinson is a regular columnist for Outside magazine writing the Sweat Science column and has contributed to publications such as the New York Times and the New Yorker. He's a former member of the Canadian national team, holds a PhD in physics from the University of Cambridge, a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University, and conducted post-doctoral research with the National Security Agency."

Training theory has undergone major shifts from low-volume intense speed work in the 1950s to high-mileage, lower-intensity approaches in the 1970s and experimental balancing in the 1990s. Contemporary practice emphasizes predominantly high mileage combined with strategically placed intense sessions. Current research highlights growing roles for weight training, heat exposure as a stimulus, improved carbohydrate-loading and fueling strategies, and greater attention to protein. Emerging evidence also suggests that speed work remains important even for ultramarathoners. Monthly studies continue to refine these recommendations and clarify which practices deliver meaningful performance improvements versus noise.

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