Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training (F.I.R.S.T.) acolytes!

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Aug 2010
2:17pm, 17 Aug 2010
8,869 posts
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macca53
I'm guessing good technique is important for all the discipines (and even though I am learning it I'm NOT going to bring the P word into the thread;)...)
Aug 2010
2:22pm, 17 Aug 2010
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HappyG(rrr)
Aha (said in a sort of Scooby-doo like, just found out it was Old Man Higgins down at the Creaky Mansion type way) very interesting.

So "normal tri" might of the type described by macca in 8866 Grep in 34792 and with 3 runs, has relatively enormous swim and bike distance, and only modest running. Importantly, it is also missing a proper "long run" (if it's only 15 miles a week, it can't have an 18-22 mile long run in it. Innit? I is well clever at the math, me.)

So no wonder moving to "only" 3 run a week plan as Grep did in going to that HH Senior (have I said Senior before?!) gave a marathon improvement. The HH plan, like any decent mara training plan, had an LSR in it. Innit.

So (so many sos) we're not comparing apples and apples - for a runner who is looking to get best running performance, the running plan has to have the basics e.g. 3 runs, with 1 x LSR. Both Hadd/Lydiard/Lotsomiles training stylee AND Furman have these in common. But where they differ is all the other stuff. Lots more miles, or lots of cross train (and if cross train, what type?) :-)G
Aug 2010
2:30pm, 17 Aug 2010
34,804 posts
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GregP
:)G - just to settle the proportions in yours and the rest of the thread's mind, Standard (aka) Olympic distance is 1,500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run - so in old money 1, 25, 6. Not sure if that helps - so the tri equiv of the LSR for a stadnard /sprint specialist is the long bike ride.

It is different for the Middle Distance (70.3)/Long Distance (Ironman) people, but their training volumes won't fit this discussion too well either, I faith.
Aug 2010
2:37pm, 17 Aug 2010
1,087 posts
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Cabbey
Hello :-)
I've been doing this sort of training for about 8 weeks. I tried Hadds (for me, it didn't work, but I know lots of people do great with that method). I have a marathon next weekend.. I'll let you know how I fair.
Aug 2010
2:39pm, 17 Aug 2010
10,330 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Excellent C. Thanks. Look forward to hearing how it goes. Very best of luck! :-)G
Aug 2010
2:43pm, 17 Aug 2010
10,331 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Grep - gotcha, thanks for that. I wasn't having a go at Tri training (for all love!) but was simply point out

a. if a tri person goes from tri training that focusses on Olympic (or even Half) distance then no LSR. Hence doing a mara on the back of such training would be sub optimal. Or put another way, moving to a focussed runnign trainig programme, with an LSR, even if only a very minimal runnign programme with only 3 runs a week, will see improvements.

And b. that a person only doing 3 runs a week, if doign the relatively mahoosive amount and intensity of biking and swimmign (as also perfectly described and explained in yoru post) they will generally be doign better than a person doing 3 runs a week and sitting on the couch the rest of the time!

And generally of course all triafferleets are all hard as nails (and mad, of course)! :-)G
Aug 2010
2:48pm, 17 Aug 2010
34,809 posts
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GregP
Agree, :)G. Apart from the last para, obviously.
Aug 2010
2:52pm, 17 Aug 2010
8,875 posts
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macca53
...and someone doing six sessions will (generally) be better than someone doing three
Aug 2010
2:54pm, 17 Aug 2010
34,814 posts
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GregP
BUT...

(Hope none of the runners here will flame me)...

25 miles (15+6+4) beats 30 (5+5+5+5+5+5), yes?
Aug 2010
3:01pm, 17 Aug 2010
8,879 posts
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macca53
hell yes:) and you can probably see why I'm being attracted a bit to the dark side.....5 or 6 runs can be a bit boring and as :)G has found out punishing on bits of the body - share the punishment out a bit and you might hold yourself in one piece (that's my logic anyway)

About This Thread

Maintained by Lalli
This thread is for those who are currently doing or want to do Furman type training, to share tips, log progress etc.

What is Furman? Simply, it's "Run 3 days, do non-running exercise for 2-3 other days". And that's it really!

Some links:
Furman home page: www2.furman.edu
Furman mara plan (you will need to copy and paste the link into your browser as this is a download document): www.wu.ece.ufl.edu/marathon%20training-first%20marathon.pdf
Runners World published version (another downloadable): www.runnersworld.co.uk/general/the...marathon-schedule/2493.html
Furman core/strength exercises: beginners.runnersworld.com
Furman cross training examples: www2.furman.edu

The book (other booksellers are available...! ) amazon.co.uk

http://www.fetcheveryone.com/blog-view.php?id=10866 - Link to lunaman's blog of his experiences of 2 marathons based on Furman. Really good read based on real-world.

My own (HappyG) marathon experience off back of 6 month's very-Furman training. Yes, it was a Peeb! http://www.fetcheveryone.com/blog-view.php?id=13263&y=2011&m=4#240604

And here's a nifty little pace calculator courtesy of lunaman: fellrnr.com

Upcoming target races...

March 2016
HappyG(rrr) - 20 March - Alloa Half

April 2016
GeologyRocks - 17 April - Brighton Marathon

FenlandRunner - 24 April - VMLM

Furman focus, will bring rewards.

(Pls let me (Lalli) know if you want to be added or removed from the side panel).
Good luck everyone!

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