A vast body of knowledge covering the full spectrum of endurance sports exists. I have culled and distilled a good deal of that knowledge, thereby making it more accessible and applicable to the mountain athlete. One of these principles that I’ve embraced is that of Capacity and Utilization Training
Bob Bowman, famous as the coach of Michael Phelps (18 Olympic gold medals) for 15 years, coined theses terms to describe two different methods of training swimmers. I heard his explanation at a coaching conference around 2012. US swimming has had unparalleled international successes so it made sense to pay close attention to see how this model could be adapted to other endurance sports.
While you might not have tried to put it into words, all of us have some feeling for the meaning of endurance. As a species we are evolutionarily/genetically predisposed toward the endurance end of the athletic spectrum. Among the mammals we are relatively weak and relatively slow. If we look toward the opposite end of the physiological spectrum we see it occupied by animals predisposed to speed and power like the horse and cheetah. But no other mammal has the sheer long duration endurance of humans.
Scott Johnston was featured on That Triathlon Show, hosted by Mikael Eriksson. That Triathlon Show is the number one triathlon podcast for interviews with the best coaches, scientists and experts in the world. Plus weekly Q&A episodes where you can get your triathlon questions answered. Tune in and subscribe for a new episode every singleContinue reading “That Triathlon Show #326: Aerobic training and testing with Scott Johnston”
Scott Johnston was featured on The Strength Running podcast, hosted by Jason Fitzgerald. A recommended podcast from Runner’s World, PodiumRunner, and many others, the Strength Running Podcast is often the #1 running podcast in the United States. The show will bring you conversations about running with leading experts about how to prevent injuries, improve yourContinue reading “The Strength Running Podcast #206: Coach Scott Johnston on the tripod of endurance”
Scott Johnston was featured in Outside Magazine to share his insights on using planks to strengthen your core and support your endurance sports training. Read the full article, 16 Plank Variations to Strengthen Your Core, on Outside:
Coach Scott Johnston was featured in Outside Magazine to discuss how cross-training improves running performance. Scott Johnston is an elite mountain athlete, a coach, and coauthor with Kilian Jornet of their new book Training for the Uphill Athlete. Read the full article, Best Exercises for Runners: The Ultimate Cross-Training Workout, here:
Scott Johnston was featured on The Stokecast, hosted by Jonathan Ronzio and Emily Holland. Every week, they chat with the outdoor industry’s top athletes, adventurers, entrepreneurs, and activists about how to balance work, life, and adventure while having fun and making a difference. Episode notes: Steve House is a world-renowned climber and mountain guide. ScottContinue reading “The Stokecast: Becoming an Uphill Athlete”
Coach Scott Johnston was interviewed and featured in The New York Times to share insights on how to prepare for mountain running, even if you don’t live in the mountains. Read the full article, Running on Top of the World, on nytimes.com:
Elite racer Kilian Jornet and Evoke Endurance coach Scott Johnston share their fitness secrets from their book, Training for the Uphill Athlete for Men’s Health. Read the full article, 9 Tips from Trail Running’s Top Trainer and Athlete, on Men’s Health.
Scott Johnston was featured in Trail Runner Magazine to discuss the benefits of cross-country skiing as cross-training for trail and ultrarunners. Read the full article, Cross-Country Skiing Is Ideal Cross-Training for Trail Runners, on trailrunnermag.com:
Coach Scott Johnston was published in Outside Magazine to discuss fitness fads and how they lead endurance athletes astray. After more than 40 years as an athlete and coach, it pains me to see people latch onto fitness fads, and I want to clear a few things up. Scott Johnston Read the full article, WhatContinue reading “What Everyone Gets Wrong About Endurance Training”
Coach Scott Johnston was featured in Outside Magazine to give insights on how to build a strong core to support mountain and endurance sports performance. Read the full article, The Definitive 10-Step Guide to Building a Do-Anything Core, here:
Coach Scott Johnston and Steve House were featured in Outside Magazine to discuss their new book, Training for the New Alpinism: A Manual for the Climber as Athlete, and give insight into how they train world-class climbers. Read the full article, Steve House and Scott Johnston Are Turning Climbers Into Athletes, here:
Before we dive into the minutia of training, let’s establish why physical training is a cornerstone of the military, beyond the obvious. Yes, the job is physically demanding. Combat itself is a physical and mental contest without equal. We must be prepared for it, and physical training is not only a requirement but a necessity.Continue reading “Why PT Consistency and Teamwork”
We want you to imagine a dimmer switch for a moment. You are in a dark room. Your hand reaches out to the wall, and there it is. A switch. As you slide it from bottom to top, the room gets progressively lighter until it is fully lit. It is a simple, observable change. BehindContinue reading “Dimmer Switches and Zones”
If you are here, you have likely heard of “Zone 2” before. It has, maybe unfortunately, become shorthand for easy training. It can be. But remember, it exists on a dimmer switch. It ranges from very easy to marathon pace. Anyone who has run a marathon knows that is not easy. What matters is understandingContinue reading “5 Reasons Why Zone 2”
Entertain this for a moment. You want to improve your back squat. You sit down and look for the best way to do it. You review 5 x 5 programs, 8 x 3, and even heavy single protocols. You choose one and commit to eight weeks of progression, working at 80 to 90 percent ofContinue reading “Boosts from Below”