How do you figure? Have you read the book?Dr. Maffetone is not doing barefoot running any favors with this book, he's reinforcing the idea that we're a lunatic fringe.
How do you figure? Have you read the book?Dr. Maffetone is not doing barefoot running any favors with this book, he's reinforcing the idea that we're a lunatic fringe.
For all I know, they're ignoring a whole other angle that would leave any working scientist laughing or shaking their heads. So I do the easy thing. I read what sort of training philosophies and protocols have developed among those with a A LOT at stake, namely, pro athletes and their trainers.
Hey, I'm just a recreational runner with not even a passing interest in racing, let alone watching races (the only sport I watch is NFL, and even then, fast forwarding on Tivo). Alls I'm saying is that in my brief foray reading up on running a year or two ago, I was astonished that none of the writers--Hudson, Magness, Daniels, Hutchinson, Canova, McMillan, Pfitzinger/Douglas, Peirce/Murr/Moss, and a few others I'm forgetting, mention Dr. Phil, let alone bother to critique him. Yet he's quite popular here at BRS. So some cognitive dissonance there.That's funny you say that, Lee, because he's practically the only one exploring all those other angles that the so-called pros are overlooking. That's what this book is all about.
Dr. Phil is a pro and a trainer. He's been training endurance athletes for over 35 years. See his bio above for more credentials.
Besides, Dr. Phil says a 1:59 is going to come about by one-off experimenting and refinement, not following the training philosophies and protocols developed by others as a one-size-fits-all. As for those training calculators on Runner's World, etc., they're junk. Avoid them.
Seriously, get the book you guys, so we can all be on the "same page." It's hard to have an apples-to-apples discussion with people who are critiquing a book they haven't read and aren't open to new ideas and ways of thinking about the subject. Remember, I have only given a review, synopsis, of what he has written in a book that is about 250 pages. At least, after you read the book, if you still think what he says is malarkey, then you have the right to an opposing opinion.
Now, it's fine to have a discussion to broaden our thinking, therefore growth, but let's keep it friendly and be kind to one another.
I just find it preposterous that everyone except him could be all wrong about how to train for endurance running.
Yes, but flat-world theory was pure speculation--no one had actually been to the edge of the earth, whereas round-world theorists were trying to make sense of the evidence that didn't jibe with the flat-world model.But don't forget, everyone thought the world was flat too, and if you continued walking, you would just fall right off the side. Somebody had to go against the grain and prove them all wrong.
Look, I am not and have never been a competitive runner. I could care less about who has won this and who has won that. I was asked to review this book, and I was pleased to be able to do so. As a once recreational runner, it opened my mind, educated me, and I enjoyed it...and that's coming from someone who is just an average Joe.
For anyone wanting to increase their speed using less oxygen at the same heart rate, then this book is for them. Give it a try.
Trainers don't have to rely purely on theory; they are constantly getting ongoing feedback from real, existing athletes which can be integrated into their theoretical understandings, philosophies, and protocols, tweaking this or that parameter for this or that athlete or group of athletes, based on both theoretical understanding and practical feedback.
I know a lot of BRS people have had success with the Maffetone method. But the fact is, until you reach high performance levels, just about anyone who runs consistently at an aerobic pace will see improvement, regardless of how closely they're monitoring their heart beat. I traveled by bicycle for two years, almost 24,000 miles. I continued to improve my pace and endurance right up until the final day, with absolutely no understanding of exercise physiology or training protocols. It's really not that complicated.
All I'm saying is that in the aforementioned books and sites I've looked at, there's no mention of him. Make of that what you will. My conclusion is that I can safely ignore him.You say all that like Dr. Phil isn't a trainer, like he has no credentials, has no experience.
There's more to decreasing your time than just your aerobic heart rate. He details many factors that can help speed up a runner.
Once again, I don't think the analogy is exact. The reputation of a trainer lies solely in the success of his/her athletes. I sincerely doubt there's any conspiracy out there to ignore Maffetone's methods or blacklist him. When they've been proven to win marathons, everyone will switch. The competition is fierce, the talent pool huge, the cream will rise to the top.I have really benefitted from reading his book, even if I don't think all of his premises on physiology and nutrition are correct. It wouldn't be the first time someone was " on to something " but did't know exactly why. I also agree that the information shouldn't be judged on the basis of what all the other "experts" say. For this position, I cite the issue of handwashing in the medical field. As I have read it. the first doctor to say that other doctors were spreading infection was blacklisted and ignored for 100 years. They fought for their reputations more than they cared for the patients.
Comparison of not accepting methods, not an analogy, in my estimation. Maybe the results will take longer to see the effect of than with handwashing, and maybe there are more factors overall affecting the outcome, but I don't think that obilterates that this might have positive potential. I also know of plently of intelligent and thoughtful people that are so entrenched in the concept of shoes that they can't see how beneficial being barefoot is. I think this could fall in a similar category.Once again, I don't think the analogy is exact. The reputation of a trainer lies solely in the success of his/her athletes. I sincerely doubt there's any conspiracy out there to ignore Maffetone's methods or blacklist him. When they've been proven to win marathons, everyone will switch.
Analogy is a form of comparison.Comparison of not accepting methods, not an analogy, in my estimation. Maybe the results will take longer to see the effect of than with handwashing, and maybe there are more factors overall affecting the outcome, but I don't think that obilterates that this might have positive potential. I also know of plently of intelligent and thoughtful people that are so entrenched in the concept of shoes that they can't see how beneficial being barefoot is. I think this could fall in a similar category.
I tried to find something on this and could not, might be that the 1960 Olympic Marathon still holds that record?
I don't know anything about endurance racing, but I would imagine if Maffetone starts training winners, like Canova does, people will take notice. If he's already doing that, please excuse my ignorance, but that wasn't my impression the last time I looked into it.
I think it's more like engineering, where endless tinkering and small creative insights lead to progress.
Hee!Who says Maffetone doesn't train world champions?
http://www.philmaffetone.com/walter-wins-7th-world-championship
I don't know anything about Triathlons. I know he got that one guy to stop over-training and turned him into a five-time champion, right? If, as Larry points out, he's good with donkeys, more power to him!Mafftone has trained winners...some of the biggest in Triathlon...that's his claim to fame not marathons. I don't consider his methods much different than other coaches except for the use of heartrate monitor and his own formula for figuring a low aerobic pace. Other than McMillan I haven't really read anything or heard much of the other coaches you have mentioned. I have read Magness blog some but he seems more like a coach for a track team not the kind of running I would do. I like to use McMillan's pacing with Maffetones heartrate methods covers all the bases for me.