Training for Endurance

Classic manual on endurance training. Still considered one of the 'Gold Standard' methods employed by many professionals and/or their coaches. The manual goes into detail on how the method works, and how it came to be determined. I find it lacking in any structured training plans, so if you are looking for a book that says "Here's your week plan of workouts:" this is NOT it. Think of it more as a 'Philosophy of Training properly' manual; lot's of concept, not much system. The method that Maffetone offers is simple to the point of frustration. I think most endurance athletes, especially triathletes, believe that complicated formulaic training is the only way to achieve top results. If you read this book you will likely be saying: "That's it?! This guy has no idea what he's talking about!" But, once you learn of the absolutely world class stable of athletes (including many multiple Ironman world champions) who were and still are disciples of his teaching, you may find yourself a little more motivated to "Go slow to get fast"

I was a real "student" of running back in the day. When my kids started running in HS, I picked up the old habit. This is a fabulous theory BUT it runs smack in the face of everything I was taught as a kid, which was to run hard 3 times a week. In a nut shell. Train at a Heart Rate (HR) between 68 - 72%. NEVER go over 75%. Then go to a track every week and run a 5 miler maintaining HR at 70% of maxHR. What you'll find, as I did, was my time per mile dropped by about a min and 30 sec. HR and distance are kept constant, only pace increases. It is hard though, mentally when fat old slogs in the neighborhood run past you on training runs. I did this for over 9 months before jumping into my first Triathlon. And I flew. I crushed it. All the guys I'd been training with, that killed me on training runs, were nowhere to be seen on race day! I played guinea pig with myself...it works! Bad news is, could never convince the HS coach to let my kids train the same way. Oh, one more thing. According to this theory, you know you're ready to race when your weekly 5 mile time no longer improves for about 3 weeks in a row. That is when you can add a little speed and or start racing.

Dr. Maffetone is on the cutting edge of training techniques and advanced nutrition. His program has worked for thousands of athletes, in my opinion, because his program is so easy to apply. Whether you plan to compete at a high level, or you wish to beat the neighbor at the local 5K, this book will teach you to train to maximize your benefits. The best part of this training technique is that the training is anything but "intense" or grueling. The training is moderate for maximum benefits. I would also recommend his first book, "In Fitness and In Health". One major flaw of this book is the numerous typographical errors which cause the reader to ponder the time spent writing and editing this tome. If you look past the errors, you will learn a lot.

this easy to read book distills the essence of endurance training to a few fundamentals, that, if you follow, you will find yourself on the awards podium. no kidding here. folks who adhere to the maffetone method--using aerobic, not anaerobic--to train the body know what i am talking about. phil is the best thing to happen to triathlon since julie moss circa 1982.