Friday, November 30, 2007

Hadd Actually

Thanks all for your supportive comments about my nothing 10,000 metres. I've decided to target the January 10,000 as I can't see myself being as fresh as a daisy next week. December, work-wise, is a very busy and tiring month. I still plan to race next week, but my confidence level is somewhat less than spectacular. I feel as glum about it as John Howard packing boxes for his move from Kirribilli.

A few people have asked me when I'm going to stop the Hadd experiment and "do some real training". If I were a marathoner, I'd probably do Hadd-training forever. I believe it's possible to run a good marathon (even a PB), just off Hadd, and nothing else.

Hadd-training is a method of developing 'base' by using heart-rate to guide effort during a particular training run. Base was made famous by Arthur Lydiard, who had all his runners, from 800m specialists to marathoners, running 100 mile weeks during the base phase. The Lydiard method of training is often thought to mean lots of slow running. It's actually base training (aerobic running), followed by 4 weeks of hill training, 4 weeks of anaerobic (intervals) training, then speedwork (sprinting), tapering and racing.

I'm putting off doing any "real training" because I want to race a couple of 3000 metre events just off Hadd-training. I'm curious to see what simple aerobic conditioning will produce in the way of a 3000 metre time. After that, I may do some anaerobic running and speedwork. Or I may not. I'm actually enjoying the less frenetic and more contemplative aspects of aerobic running. I've also been able to run a lot, without becoming injured. I like running.

I don't recommend drinking Coke and eating sausage sandwiches as a way to win medals!
The correct diet (and big enough handicap) could result in winning a medal!

11 comments:

Thomas said...

Really, you should start punching anyone who thinks Hadd training is not real training, then they'd stop soon enough with that nonsense. Are you familiar with Andrew's blog, http://downeastrunning.blogspot.com? He ran a sub-3 marathon last year after basically only base training; not Hadd but Lydiard, but the differences between the two in base training are minute at best.

Runner Susan said...

please expand on said diet . . .

Grellan said...

Stick with HADD Ewen, you're really enjoying it and that's what it's all about.

There is a series of 7 x 3k road races not far from me this winter. I've missed the first 3, maybe I'll do one to check out my speed.

Samurai Running said...

No Ewen don't change now, even if this type of training doesn't work, and I doubt it, it will take a few years to determine its effectiveness.

And even if it proves fruitless there is still time for us younger guys to simply change methods no harm done. Sure by that time you may be too old to change but you could be happy in the knowledge that you will be a prime example of what not to do ;)

Stephen Lacey said...

You forgot to mention the coordination phase of the Lydiard training, which is right before and overlapping the taper (as I understand it).

See, the one thing about Hadd training (or specifically the famous Hadd document) that we tend to overlook is that it primarily focuses on a heart rate based approach to base building. In some respects it is simply an alternative approach to the methods that Lydiard prescribes for determining intensity (1/2 effort, 3/4 effort, etc). But Hadd also mentions that other stuff needs to be done closer to the target race once you had built your base, but he doesn't go into any detail about it (he mentions the 10k of 200 on 200 off track workout and that's it). And remember, he was talking about it all in the context of marathon running.

In summary, having now been through a few base-building cycles following Hadd, I have to say that it is that last six weeks that I have found fairly frustrating because Hadd sort of tails off in usefulness at that point and you have to come up with your own schedule for increasing speed and stamina. One can do a lot worse than look to the Lydiard method at that point.

But I do agree that aerobic running, and developing the ability to run hard aerobically, is arguably the most pleasurable experience one can have. I'll let others argue about what the potentially more pleasurable experiences might be.

Tesso said...

Good on ya Ewen! I would love to give it a proper go but unfortuntely I enjoy my PCRG sessions too much.

Tonigh I received an email from a friend who has recently moved to London. He wrote to tell me he was going on the Hadd thing to try to get a sub 90 minute half. Recently he has been running just under 100 minutes. I'll let you know how he goes, I'm sure he will be successful.

Unknown said...

We are all an experiement of one. I do enjoy your approach to training.

Anonymous said...

oh as if you work.

Dubs said...

Thakns for your post on my blog, it was greatly appreciated on race morning. :)

I had not heard of Hadd before, but from what you say, it sounds interesting and with merit. I'm interested to follow along and learn more.

I can't believe your 10,000. I would have been so disapointed. I loved the 10 on the track when I was in college. They are hard to come by out here even on the roads now. Used to be 10s everywhere, now it is all 5's. Good luck in Jan and on your 3 next weekend!

Unknown said...

Hadd seems to be working for me, so I'd keep at it if I were you!

Anonymous said...

Wow. 20.55
and I thought you had HADD it.
But can you beat 20.51?