• Coaching the Modern High School Athlete

    Coaching the Modern High School Athlete

    As a high school running coach for over a decade, I’ve witnessed the growing tension between the long-term nature of athletic development and the pervasive culture of instant gratification. We live in a world of “likes” and immediate feedback, where results are often expected overnight. This mindset can create challenges for coaches and athletes alike,…

  • Rolling 200s Workout

    Rolling 200s Workout

    Extending Training Time at Goal Race Pace: A Case Study To increase my athletes’ training time at their goal race pace, I’ve adopted a method inspired by Mahaly Igloi: consecutive high-intensity intervals with active recovery. This method has proven successful for my athletes at a variety of ability levels. The Challenge of Race-Pace Training It’s…

  • Coach Mihaly Igloi: Lactate Dynamics

    Coach Mihaly Igloi: Lactate Dynamics

    Mihaly Igloi is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished middle distance coaches in history. During his tenure in the 1950s and 1960s, his athletes shattered an impressive 49 world records and 45 American records. Igloi’s training methods were known to be rigorous, unconventional, and very different from contemporary coaching techniques. Nonetheless, certain fundamental…

  • Jack Daniels: VDOT

    Jack Daniels: VDOT

    Jack Daniels, former Olympian and esteemed exercise scientist, is renowned as an iconic figure in distance running. Recognized as the “World’s Best Running Coach” by Runners World magazine, Dr. Daniels authored the essential guidebook, Daniels’ Running Formula, an indispensable resource for coaches and runners seeking insight into his distinctive training methodology. Daniels is first and…

  • Coach Arthur Lydiard: Building a Pyramid

    Coach Arthur Lydiard: Building a Pyramid

    Discover the legacy of Arthur Lydiard, Coach of the Century, whose pioneering approach to distance running remains a cornerstone for coaches and athletes worldwide. Explore periodization, base building, and peak performance strategies pivotal in successful distance training.

  • Coach Joe Vigil: Cracking the Code

    Coach Joe Vigil: Cracking the Code

    This article delves deep into Dr. Vigil’s training philosophy, unveiling the principles that shaped champions and revolutionized distance running with emphasis on how his methods can be applied to high school distance programs.

  • Once a Runner by John L. Parker

    Once a Runner by John L. Parker

    Once A Runner follows the collegiate years of Quenton Cassidy, a very talented but manic runner whose obsession in life is to run a sub-four minute mile. Cassidy attends fictional Southeastern University in Florida, and finds himself expelled after publicly speaking out against the strict dress code being imposed upon the athletes by the conservative administration…

  • Again to Carthage by John L. Parker

    Again to Carthage by John L. Parker

    Again to Carthage is the long-awaited sequel to the cult classic “Once a Runner,” which surprisingly became a New York Times bestseller decades after its initial release. The story revisits Quenton Cassidy, now a successful lawyer in Florida. While his life seems idyllic – leisurely runs, fishing trips, and fresh seafood – a yearning for…

  • The Essential Sheehan: A Lifetime of Running Wisdom

    The Essential Sheehan: A Lifetime of Running Wisdom

    The Essential Sheehan: A Lifetime of Running Wisdom from the Legendary Dr. George Sheehan Dr. George Sheehan, dubbed the “philosopher king” of running by President Bill Clinton, was a triple threat: respected cardiologist, accomplished runner, and bestselling author of eight books on the power of exercise. His iconic column in Runner’s World remains the most…

  • How Bad Do You Want It? by Matt Fitzgerald

    How Bad Do You Want It? by Matt Fitzgerald

    Endurance athletes, are you ready to break through that plateau and reach peak performance? Look no further than Matt Fitzgerald’s gripping book, “How Bad Do You Want It?”. This insightful exploration delves into the critical role of mental toughness in unlocking your athletic potential. Fitzgerald weaves a captivating narrative, blending pulse-pounding race stories with in-depth…

  • 2-Hour Half Marathon Training Plan

    2-Hour Half Marathon Training Plan

    Do you dream of breaking 2 hours in the Half Marathon? Make it Reality by following this free training plan! It’s not official or anything, but the 2 hour mark is like the 30 minute mark in the 5K. It’s a defining number that runners love to chase. Have you been chasing the elusive sub-2 hour half…


Copyright Coach Saltmarsh 2023