Olympic Athlete Ranks the Best and Worst Training Methods 🥇❌ (Tier List)

Summary

In this video, the creator reviews and ranks various training methods for runners, offering an engaging and humorous take on each. Using a tier system from 'godlike' to 'trash,' the creator discusses everything from long slow distance runs to over-speed training, providing insights into what works for professional runners and what doesn't. Highlighting personal preferences and the challenges of different methods, the creator shares their opinions with humor, from the joys of negative splits to the agony of hill reps. The video is informative for runners looking to enhance their training while being entertaining and relatable.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker ranks various training methods from 'Godlike' to 'Trash,' providing personal insights on each.
• 😀 'Godlike' methods are those the speaker loves and would happily do at any time, while 'Trash' methods are ones they'd avoid at all costs.
• 😀 The speaker dislikes long slow distance (LSD) runs, considering them tough and unnecessary for their personal training goals.
• 😀 Strides are ranked as 'Bed,' as the speaker finds them essential for maintaining speed, but they are not enjoyable due to the physical strain.
• 😀 Double threshold training, involving two intense threshold workouts in one day, is described as 'Godlike' and a method the speaker values highly for its effectiveness.
• 😀 Barefoot running and minimal shoes are considered 'Average,' as they can have benefits but are not the preferred choice for every runner.
• 😀 Tempo runs are placed in 'Meh' because they are seen as too slow for the speaker, who prefers faster-paced threshold workouts.
• 😀 Negative splits, where a runner completes the second half of a race faster than the first, are ranked 'Godlike' for their proven ability to improve race times.
• 😀 The Renato Canova style long runs are categorized as 'Very Good,' although the speaker doesn't personally use them, showing respect for their value to marathon runners.
• 😀 Over-speed training, involving elastic bands pulling a runner forward to increase turnover, is rated 'Good' for sprinters but not useful for middle-distance runners like the speaker.

Q & A

What is the ranking system used in the video for training methods?

The ranking system in the video includes six categories: 'Godlike' (extremely desirable), 'Very Good' (highly effective), 'Good' (decent but not exciting), 'Average' (not bad, but boring), 'Meh' (potentially risky or not enjoyable), 'Bad' (not suitable for professional runners), and 'Trash' (something the speaker would avoid at all costs).

Why does the speaker dislike long slow distance (LSD) runs?

The speaker dislikes LSD runs because they are often scheduled when the legs are already tired, making them feel exhausting. Additionally, the speaker finds the long duration of these runs mentally taxing, where they are just counting the miles.

How does the speaker feel about strides in training?

The speaker views strides as a necessary evil, as they are important for maintaining leg turnover and preventing muscles from slowing down. However, the speaker finds them uncomfortable and describes the experience as having heavy legs, making them less enjoyable.

What is double threshold training and why does the speaker consider it 'godlike'?

Double threshold training involves running two threshold workouts in one day, with longer repetitions in the morning and shorter, more intense intervals in the evening. The speaker considers it 'godlike' because it has been very beneficial for their performance and is a challenging method that they enjoy.

What are the pros and cons of barefoot running, according to the speaker?

The speaker acknowledges that running barefoot or with minimal shoes can help improve proprioception and is beneficial in small doses. However, they criticize the idea of running barefoot for all training sessions, especially in a minimalist shoe culture, which they find unnecessary and potentially harmful.

Why does the speaker rank tempo runs as 'meh'?

The speaker ranks tempo runs as 'meh' because they find them too slow for their liking. While tempo runs are effective, they feel like they lack the intensity and grinding sensation that the speaker enjoys in other types of training, such as threshold runs.

What is a negative split, and why does the speaker view it as 'godlike'?

A negative split refers to running the second half of a race faster than the first half. The speaker considers it 'godlike' because research shows that negative splits result in less lactate buildup in the muscles, allowing for better endurance and potentially faster race times, making it an ideal strategy for achieving personal bests.

What is Renato Canova's style of long runs, and how does the speaker rate them?

Renato Canova is a renowned coach known for his marathon training methods, which involve specific types of long runs tailored for marathon performance. The speaker rates these long runs as 'very good,' even though they don't personally apply them to their middle-distance running routine.

What is over-speed training, and how does the speaker feel about it?

Over-speed training involves using an elastic band to pull a runner forward to improve neuromuscular systems and leg turnover. The speaker views it as helpful for sprinters but not beneficial for middle-distance runners like themselves, so they rank it as 'good.'

Why does the speaker dislike hill repeats, and where do they rank it?

The speaker finds hill repeats particularly grueling and painful, as they involve running up a hill for short bursts, which are tough but necessary for middle-distance runners. Despite their dislike for the exercise, they rank it as 'very bad' due to the intense physical strain it causes.