The Stablemaster Speaks - The Art of the Marathon 1:42 HM to 68 HM in two years - how we're doing it...
Feb 21, 2025
In this insightful discussion, the journey of Boris Levin is showcased as he progresses from a 1:42 to a remarkable 1:19 half marathon. Key training strategies, including avoiding doubles to reduce injury, are emphasized. The importance of adjusting pacing for hot weather conditions is highlighted, along with innovative training methods like temporal flow and safe race scheduling. Insights into using races as fitness indicators and adjusting midweek training are particularly engaging. This detailed case study offers valuable guidance for both novice and experienced runners.
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Rapid Progress From Beginner To 1:19 Half
- Boris started running two and a half years ago and went from a 1:42 half to 1:19 in 18 months under John Starrett's coaching.
- He progressed despite early shin splints and a background in bodybuilding by tapping latent speed and following structured phases.
Hold Back Advanced Work Until Needed
- Avoid introducing doubles or hill blasts while an athlete is still making steady gains to reduce injury risk.
- Keep advanced tools in your toolbox and only deploy them when improvement plateaus.
Use Eight-Week Race Blocks As Fitness Checkpoints
- Plan racing blocks of about eight weeks with a taper and recovery to push base fitness and set training paces.
- Use periodic 10k and 5k races as checkpoints to inform training paces and session targets.