Respected running and fitness expert Matt Fitzgerald explains how the 80/20 running program - in which you do 80 per cent of runs at a lower intensity and just 20 per cent at a higher intensity - is the best change runners of all abilities can make to improve their performance. With a thorough examination of the science and research behind this training method, 80/20 Running is a hands-on guide for runners of all levels with training programs for 5k, 10k, half-marathon and marathon distances. In 80/20 Running you''ll discover how to transform your workouts to avoid burnout. Runs will become more pleasant and less draining You''ll carry less fatigue from one run to the next Your performance will improve in the few high-intensity runs Your fitness levels will reach new heights

PRAISE FOR MATT FITZGERALD AND HIS FITNESS BOOKS:

“Fitzgerald is going to go down as one of the most competent and prolific authors of books for serious runners covering just about every legitimate aspect of the all-important runner’s lifestyle.”—LetsRun.com

“If you’re looking to get to your peak performance weight or explore the mind-body connection of running, writer Matt Fitzgerald has some advice for you.…Fitzgerald, an expert in endurance training and nutrition, explores a wide range of topics and cutting-edge developments from the world of running and endurance sports.”—ESPN.com

“Sports nutritionist Matt Fitzgerald lets us in on his no-diet secrets that can help endurance athletes get leaner, stronger, and faster.”—Men’s Fitness

“The elements and philosophy laid out in Run were fundamental and played an essential role in my overall success throughout my career as a self-coached athlete.”—Alan Culpepper, 2000 and 2004 U.S. Olympian, sub-four-minute miler, sub-2:10 marathoner

“Extremely well-done…a must for marathoners!”—Library Journal

“In his latest book, Matt Fitzgerald successfully explains the mind-body method of running.…Anyone trying to improve and realize their true running potential should read Run.” —Kara Goucher, 2008 Olympian and world championship medalist

“Amateur to professional athletes can optimize their potential with this book.”—Bike World News

“Racing Weight answers the difficult questions athletes often have about dieting, including how to handle the off-season. The book gives readers a scientifically backed system to discover your optimum race weight, as well as five steps to achieve it.”—Triathlete

“You will gain valuable information and insight about how to fuel your body from this book.”—Portland Book Review

Autorentext

Matt Fitzgerald is an acclaimed endurance sports and nutrition writer and a certified sports nutritionist. He is the bestselling author of more than a dozen books on running and fitness, including 80/20 Running, Brain Training for Runners, Racing Weight, and Iron War, which was long-listed for the 2012 William Hill Sports Book of the Year. He is a columnist on Competitor.com and Active.com, and has contributed to Bicycling, Men’s Health, Triathlete, Men’s Journal, Outside, Runner’s World, Shape, and Women’s Health. He lives in San Diego, California.

Klappentext

TRAIN EASIER TO RUN FASTER

This revolutionary training method has been embraced by elite runners—with extraordinary results—and now you can do it, too.

Respected running and fitness expert Matt Fitzgerald explains how the 80/20 running program—in which you do 80 percent of runs at a lower intensity and just 20 percent at a higher intensity—is the best change runners of all abilities can make to improve their performance. With a thorough examination of the science and research behind this training method, 80/20 Running is a hands-on guide for runners of all levels with training programs for 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon distances.

In 80/20 Running, you’ll discover how to transform your workouts to avoid burnout.

• Runs will become more pleasant and less draining
• You’ll carry less fatigue from one run to the next
• Your performance will improve in the few high-intensity runs
• Your fitness levels will reach new heights

80/20 Running promotes a message that all runners—as well as cyclists, triathletes, and even weight-loss seekers—can embrace: Get better results by making the majority of your workouts easier.

Leseprobe

ALSO BY MATT FITZGERALD

FOREWORD

   • Learning to Slow Down
   • The Evolution of 80/20 Running
   • The 80/20 Breakthrough
   • How 80/20 Running Improves Fitness
   • How 80/20 Running Improves Skill
   • Monitoring and Controlling Intensity
   • Getting Started with 80/20 Running
   • 80/20 Training Plans: 5K
   • 80/20 Training Plans: 10K
   • 80/20 Training Plans: Half Marathon
   • 80/20 Training Plans: Marathon
   • Cross-Training as an Alternative to Running More
   • 80/20 for Everyone? APPENDIX: Detailed Intensity Control Guidelines for 80/20 Workouts

INDEX

FOREWORD

Fifteen years ago, when I was training at a high level with my twin brother, Weldon, a twenty-eight-minute 10K runner, and dreaming of the U.S. Olympic Trials, I had a conversation with my beloved ninety-year-old grandmother, “BB,” that I’ll never forget.

“Boys, I don’t understand this running thing,” she said. “I can imagine nothing worse than waking up and realizing I was going to have to run fifteen miles that day.”

“BB, it’s not like you think,” I replied. “Running is the best part of my day. Most of the time I’m not running hard. Weldon and I just run side by side at a relaxed pace and carry on a conversation for an hour and a half. It’s a ninety-minute social hour.”

“Oh, that doesn’t sound too bad,” BB said. “I always viewed running as a form of grueling punishment.”

My grandmother’s misconception was far from uncommon. A lot of people viewed running as she did—and still do. But Matt Fitzgerald is about to let you in on a secret: Running isn’t always supposed to be hard. In fact, most of the time, it should be easy and enjoyable.

You see, in order to yield steady improvement, a training system must be repeatable—day after day, week after week, month after month. And guess what. Hard running isn’t repeatable, either physically or psychologically. If you do too much of it, your body will burn out if your mind doesn’t first.

The ultimate compliment for me in my peak training years was being passed on my easy runs by a runner who had a marathon time more than an hour slower than mine. I’d say to myself, “He’s wearing himself out today. I’m building myself up.”

All too many runners wear themselves out by running too fast too often—now more than ever. There is an obsession these days with high intensity. Most of the trendy new training systems are focused on speed work. Running magazines, Web sites, and books can’t say enough about the magical power of intervals. Even champion runners are more likely to credit their speed work instead of their easy running when interviewed after winning a race. Yet the typical elite runne…