Services and Training Programs

Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2 MAX) is a measure of the ability of an athlete to produce energy aerobically. Normally, a higher VO2MAX indicates more work can be performed during a given time period. This simply means that an individual with a higher VO2MAX should be able to run faster than a comparable runner with a lower VO2MAX. One might say that maximal oxygen consumption gives a runner an idea of how large an engine he or she has to work with. A high maximal capacity to deliver blood (w/oxygen) means there is the potential for more muscles to be active simultaneously during exercise. Values range between 40 and 80 ml/kg/min in terms relative to body weight and between 2.5 l/min (smaller people) and 6 l/min. (larger people) in terms.

Lactate Threshold is a measure of metabolic fitness. Lactate is an organic by-product of anaerobic metabolism, and its accumulation in the blood is used to evaluate the intensity that a runner can maintain for extended periods of time, usually thirty minutes or more. Lactate threshold (LT) and maximal steady-state lactate levels (MSSLL) are indications of how well one’s muscles are trained to do endurance-type work. Most people, except the most highly trained athletes, are limited by metabolic fitness rather than cardiovascular fitness. Highly trained endurance athletes become “centrally limited” meaning they can work at extreme heart rates w/out severe muscle fatigue. An untrained individual might reach LT at about 50-60% of their Max Heart Rate (MaxHR), whereas a well-trained runner won’t reach LT until about 80-95% of their MaxHR.

Running Economy, one of the key variables in running performance, is the amount of oxygen being consumed relative to the runner’s body weight and the speed at which the runner is traveling. Unnecessary body motion results in an increase in oxygen consumption and thus a decrease in running economy. Running economy can be expressed either as the velocity achieved for a given rate of oxygen consumption or the VO2 needed to maintain a given running speed.

Body Composition refers to the chemical and tissue make-up of the body. Maximal oxygen consumption is usually defined relative to body mass and expressed in units of milliliters/ kilogram/ minutes. By lowering one’s body mass, a runner increases their VO2MAX by a proportional amount. The body can be described as a two-component system, lean body mass (LBM) and fat mass (FM). The impact on running performance can be tremendous if these two components are maintained at optimal levels. Hydrostatic weighing is the gold standard for LBM and FM, and the use of this technique allows the runner to determine their optimal body mass based on well documented scientific principles. For optimal performance the runner needs optimal body mass, and this may only be obtained through body composition analysis.

Gait analysis is a biomechanical analysis of your running. High-speed video is used to film you from several angles while running on a treadmill.  The video will then be analyzed using Dartfish software, which allows detailed calculations of angles, and positions of your body during running.  After data collection and analysis, FIRST® will review your running biomechanics with you, making suggestions regarding modifications to your gait and exercise prescription, which are intended to improve your gait.  You also receive a DVD copy of your running and biomechanical analysis.

FIRST® seeks to assist runners of all ages and abilities to achieve their goals and potential.  With coaching by e-mail, FIRST® assists runners by developing individually tailored training programs designed around a runner’s current fitness level and available training time.  The FIRST® training programs are customized programs.  Our capacity for coaching is limited.  The FIRST® e-coaching program is available on a quarterly basis.  FIRST® coaching is quarterly because effective coaching can only occur with short-term and long-term planning in mind.  After the initial three months, FIRST® e-coaching may be continued per continuous month.  A 16-week training program specifically for the marathon is also available.  With the release of RUNNER’S WORLD RUN LESS, RUN FASTER we have received numerous requests for e-coaching.  While we wish we could help all interested runners, in order to provide individualized assistance, we have to limit the number of runners we assist.  Contact FIRST® about availability for FIRST® e-coaching slots.  Because the requests for coaching far exceed our capacity, we encourage runners interested in FIRST® e-coaching to get a copy of RUNNER’S WORLD RUN LESS, RUN FASTER.  The book is available from Amazon on this website.  Purchase our book online.  It provides many details about the training program.  Many runners are also using the resources we have on our website to help with their race preparation.  Good luck with your training and racing.

Your observation is correct. The RW schedule for interval workouts was simplified by Amby Burfoot to make it easily understood by the typical reader. The long runs were accurately reported. The reason that the website includes longer runs is that on our website there are two programs (FIRST® to the Finish for those who have run a marathon and are training to run faster and Finish with the FIRST® for novice runners). In our 2004 marathon training study cited in RW, we had novice runners as well as marathoners who weren’t doing runs longer than 6 to 10 miles when the study began. For that reason, the schedule included only two 20-mile training runs. We didn’t want our study participants injured or overtrained. Also, we wanted to make sure that they could maintain the recommended paces for key workouts #1 and #2. We prefer more 20-mile runs (6 to 8 in an 18-week training program).

Yes, count the weeks you have prior to the marathon and begin with that week number. For example, if you are running a marathon in 12 weeks and wish to follow the program, then begin with the workouts listed for Week 12 and continue following the schedule until race day. Be sure that you are trained to handle the long run distance for whichever week you begin following the schedule.

FIRST^® stresses quality over quantity. While the weekly mileage is less than most programs, the intensity of the training runs is higher. Runners following the program typically report that the recommended paces are achievable, but more challenging than what they generally have run in the past. Participants in FIRST^® training programs have reported that the faster running made the recovery days welcome.

No. FIRST^® has trained runners of varying abilities (from sub- three-hour finishers to five-hour marathoners) with success. Two cross-training workouts per week are an important part of the program. We recommend aerobic cross-training to supplement your running and to augment your aerobic fitness level. This includes stationary biking, rowing, elliptical, etc. workouts that are performed for the same amount of time as your typical running workout and at a similar intensity. Cross-training will help maintain and promote your aerobic fitness and give your legs a rest from the pounding from the running. Cross-train on the non-key run workout days. Cross-train for the same amount of time that you might normally run.

For cross-training intensity, you can use a Heart Rate monitor. For an equivalent running intensity expect your HR to be 8-12 beats per minute slower in cycling and 10-15 beats per minute slower in a swimming workout. You can also use perceived exertion and try to mirror your running intensity. You can add variety to your cross-training workouts by making them similar to either an interval workout, tempo workout or long run workout. Match the intensity to the simulated running workout you choose.

Weight training is somewhat valuable for running, but we primarily recommend it for general overall fitness. You just have to determine how much weight training you can do without it diminishing your running workouts. We usually do the weight training after runs or on the days that we aren’t running.

The principle of specificity of training dictates that you need hill training to run a hilly marathon. All aspects of race conditions need to be simulated as much as possible — time of day for training (as you near race day), climatic conditions (not always possible), and certain terrain. In particular, try doing the long runs on hills. If the marathon has a preponderance of hills early in the race or late in the race, try to have your training runs mirror that terrain. Of course, hill running affects your training and race pace so your training paces and target race finish time may need to be adjusted from our predicted paces based on 10K race time.

For tempo runs, refer to the training program on our website which includes more detail than what the RW article indicates (https://www.furman.edu/first/1.htm). In general, for the tempo run, we use the first mile to gradually pick up speed so that the specified pace is achieved in the second mile. Of course, that may mean running a little faster than recommended pace in the middle of the workout to achieve the average pace recommended for the overall workout or we might use the first mile as a warm-up and then hold the recommended pace for the next five miles. This will vary depending on the time available for the workout.We vary on cool down depending on the stress of the run. However, a cool-down is important. An easy mile jog, a mile walk, or 10 minutes of easy spinning on a fitness center bike are all good cool-down options.

The rest/recovery interval between speed intervals is specified in time (e.g. 90 seconds recovery of walking and jogging) or distance (e.g. 400 meters of walking and jogging). Walk and/or jog (as dictated by fatigue, heat, etc.) for the specified time or distance.

Good question. There are tables that show the performance decrement due to heat. There’s no question that the heat and humidity will slow your pace. However, the principle of specificity of training dictates that you need to run as close to race pace as possible. Because you will not be running your autumn marathon in 85 degree heat, it is not particularly valuable to train in 85 degree heat that causes you to run an additional 30 seconds per mile slower. To combat this problem we prepare for our Fall marathon by running early in the morning when the temperatures are typically 68 to 72 degrees with little radiant heat even though the humidity is high. There will still be a performance decrement, but the neuromuscular and biomechanical training will not be much different from your Fall training and racing. Something else you may want to consider is to drive to the mountains for your weekend long run. In 30 to 60 minutes we can be at a higher elevation where the temperatures are a good 5 degrees cooler. That makes a big difference.

6 x 800m means to repeat an 800 meter run six times. In between the repeats, you will recover by walking/jogging for 90 seconds. After the 90 seconds of recovery then you will start the next (#2 of 6) 800 meter run. You run the 800 meters at the prescribed pace. The goal of the workout is to keep a small range of times for the 800 meters. For example, rather than a set like 3:00, 2:28, 3:04, 3:08, 3:09, 3:02 shoot for a more consistent range of times such as 3:02, 3:01, 3:02, 3:02, 3:03, 3:02. There should not be more than a couple of seconds difference in your times for the six repeat runs.5 x 1K (1000 meters or 2.5 times around a 400 meter track) means five repeat runs of 1000 meters with a 400 meter walk/jog as a recovery between repeat runs. In our studies, we have found that some runners find the track intervals difficult but find the long run pace easy and conversely, some find the track intervals easy and are very challenged with the long tempo and long run paces. Some runners have more speed than endurance and vice versa.What we emphasize to the runners in our program is that we want the track intervals to have a very small range for the entire workout. After each week we adjust the target training times based on the most recent training performance. We attempt to find target paces that are realistic and challenging, but not so difficult that the runner is unable to recover for key workout #2. By insisting that the entire set of repeats be run with a range of only a couple of seconds, it pretty much ensures that the runner isn’t overdoing it.

Even pacing is the most efficient strategy in racing, so to the extent that you can have your training even paced then the more likely that you will be able to employ that strategy in the race. Try starting your training runs a bit slower than the prescribed pace and then pick up the pace in the middle section of your training run. Also, try to have a strong finish over the last couple of miles of your long training runs.

FIRST^® faculty have used Heart Rate Monitors since 1985. Dr. Scott Murr did his Master’s thesis on the effectiveness of using an HRM during endurance performance. We believe that an HRM can be a valuable training aid. There are just too many variables that influence heart rate. Since runners tend to race more on pace than HR, we think runners’ training should be similarly based.FIRST^® is familiar with 8 formulae, with supporting research, that estimate maximum heart rate (HRMAX). Knowing which formula to use can often be as tough as throwing darts in the dark (not recommended). The most commonly used formula to estimate maximum heart rate is HRMAX = 220 – age. However, the 220 – age formula may not be the most appropriate for all runners. In fact, there is more research supporting some of the alternate formulae for HRMAX than the 220 minus age formula. Researchers have discovered that age-based heart rate formulas can be as much as 20 bpm off of actual maximum values. Using the “wrong” estimated HRMAX to base your training can lead to slow development and ineffective training.Dr. Robert Robergs, a researcher at the University of New Mexico who has done extensive work on this topic has concluded that there is no acceptable method to estimate HRMAX. Therefore, we prefer that runners focus on maintaining pace rather than heart rate. In a race, you will not be running the same speed at the same heart rate throughout the race. Cardiovascular drift, due to increased heat storage and fluid loss, will cause the heart rate to increase as running time increases. If you rely solely on heart rate, you will be running slower at the end of your workout as your heart creeps higher. That’s why it is difficult over the last part of a race to maintain the same pace; that is, you have a higher heart rate for the same pace. It requires more effort to maintain the same pace. We feel that you need to practice that in training so that you are able to tolerate that in a race.