Seasonal Planning: Daniels vs Pfitzinger (Read 736 times)

This is a question for those of you who- -plan your seasons -have read both daniel's running formula and road racing for serious runners Both authors seem to use a lot of the same science/physiology, but their approaches to planning seasons are completely opposite (besides the fact that Daniels advocates a race prep period that is twice as long). Both agree that a strong 'base' is necessary before moving into any quality training. However, Pfitzinger puts threshold running as part of base/endurance training. Pfitzinger basically progresses from LSD to threshold (LT) to V02max (shorter faster running) then racing. Daniels starts with LSD, then moves into really short distance reps, then longer intervals, then threshold training and tune up races before one's goal race. The way I learned to run, in HS, more closely matches Pfitzinger, but that doesn't mean much. I'm curious how others feel about both approaches or if you use something different entirely.

I've read (and own) RRSR. I've only skimmed Daniels Running Formula. But have looked at a lot of the workouts. One thing I think that accounts for some of the differences is that RRSR is a bit dated and due for a 2nd edition. Daniels is in it's 2nd ed and came out in 2005. Some of the conventional wisdom in Pfitz especially for marathon training is a bit dated, IMO. I followed Pfitz pretty closely for marathon training in 02. Eventually through trial and error and bouncing things off other runners etc I figured out what works for me which is mileage, progression runs, and long high aerobic, sometimes threshold type intervals. Hardly any true speedwork beyond strides. The few workouts I do are probably more like Daniels' marathon workouts than anything in Pfitz. I do a lot of long, hard runs with multiple paces but rarely go any faster than 10k pace except for strides. I really don't think it makes a lot of sense to follow any program word for word. Read both books, understand the concepts and the purpose behind certain kinds of workouts--and then put it together with your own strengths & weaknesses, your goals, what you like and don't like, and what you want to get out of training.

I wouldn't call myself a marathoner. I've run a few marathons but I've run a lot more races at 5k - 21k. My training is geared toward being able to race well at 5k to 21k pretty much any time, and then occasionally be able to peak for a marathon. I've been able to race well at those distances (I think) with the above priorities. On the rare occasion that I decide to focus exclusively on peaking for the 5k, which I may do for a brief period later this year, I will take about 4-6 weeks where I do two workouts a week; one short intervals 200-1000s at 3k-5k pace, the other long intervals 1000-3000s at 10k-LT pace. Otherwise my training priorities are the same year round; mileage over rolling hills, progression runs, long intervals usually on the roads and weekly strides.

Do you think 4-6 weeks of a change in training is enough to see a positive effect (like your 5k prep). I'd assume that would be the minimum, but I don't know.

Yes. I think if you have a really solid base then 4-6 weeks is all it takes to peak for races in the 5k-10k range. Really all you're talking about is 6-10 workouts total. For the marathon it takes a little longer, about 8 weeks or so.