Abstract

Before Lydiard's influence was felt on training techniques, most distance runners trained using interval work. Lydiard changed all this with his radical departure from earlier training methods. Lydiard's training system involves a balanced combination of aerobic and anaerobic running. The training program is organized into several phases: marathon training, anaerobic training, track training, and cross-country training. According to Lydiard, the more often you train, the better. If time allows, it is advisable to train two or three times a day. This improves cardiac efficiency and assists in recovery from low blood pH. The terrains one trains on should be varied, as changes in scenery will stimulate one to train more consistently. For conditioning training, it is best to choose terrain that offers good traction. Then one can run at a high aerobic effort without tiring one's leg muscles too rapidly. If one trains in extremely low temperatures, it is vital that the humidity be low. Otherwise one's lungs may ice up. If, on the other hand, one is training in high temperatures, the humidity should be high. High humidity will keep one's skin wet with perspiration and help cool one's body temperature. After the competitive season ends, one should do light jogging for at least fifteen minutes a day. One should continue to train as much as possible, preferably daily. Schiffer