With my wife and I training for marathons this year (Chicago Marathon and New York City Marathon), I've been looking into switching up our training plans. I should reach out to the many running coaches in the 26.2 Coffee ecosystem, but I decided to take a page out of my technology background and jump on the AI bandwagon. I asked ChatGPT to write me a series of posts on marathon training, and here is the result in post number 1. I'll post my method and prompt at the end of the article.
What do you think? Please post your thoughts, corrections, and suggestions on our Facebook page. Keep in mind, this is just for fun and not actual advice.
Tell Me About Training for a Marathon?
Training for major marathons is a complex and challenging process that requires dedication, discipline, and hard work. Marathons are one of the most grueling endurance events in sports, requiring runners to cover 26.2 miles. To finish a marathon, a runner must have a combination of physical and mental toughness and a well-crafted training program that prepares them for the demands of the race.
There are many schools of thought on how to train for a marathon, each with its own unique approach and philosophy. Some experts advocate for high-mileage programs that prioritize endurance, while others focus on speed work and interval training. Ultimately, the key to success in marathon training is finding a program that works for you and your individual needs.
One popular approach to marathon training is the Hansons Method, which was developed by the Hanson Brothers, Keith, and Kevin. This program emphasizes high-mileage running, with runners averaging 60-80 miles per week. The Hansons Method also incorporates a unique "cumulative fatigue" approach, where runners do back-to-back hard workouts to simulate the fatigue they will experience during a marathon.
Another popular approach is the 80/20 method, which is based on the principle that 80% of a runner's training should be done at a low intensity while the remaining 20% is done at a high intensity. This approach was popularized by Matt Fitzgerald, who argued that most runners focus too much on high-intensity workouts and neglect the importance of easy runs in their training.
Yet another popular approach is the Galloway Method, which was developed by former Olympian Jeff Galloway. This method emphasizes a run-walk approach, where runners alternate between running and walking throughout the race. The Galloway Method is popular among beginners and older runners, as it allows them to conserve energy and reduce the risk of injury.
Regardless of the approach, there are certain tactics and strategies that all marathon runners should consider when training for a major race. These include:
- Gradual Buildup: The key to marathon training is gradual buildup. Runners should start with a base of fitness and gradually increase their mileage over time, with a peak mileage of 40-60 miles per week.
- Long Runs: Long runs are an essential part of marathon training, as they help build endurance and mental toughness. Runners should aim to complete at least one long run per week, gradually increasing the distance each week.
- Strength Training: Strength training is important for marathon runners, as it helps build muscle and prevent injury. Runners should focus on exercises that strengthen their legs, hips, and core, such as squats, lunges, and planks.
- Recovery: Recovery is just as important as training in marathon preparation. Runners should make sure to rest and recover properly between workouts, including getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet.
There are also many impactful people in the world of marathon running, who have achieved incredible feats and set records that inspire runners around the world. One such person is Eliud Kipchoge. Kipchoge has won numerous marathons and set the world record for the fastest marathon time in history, with a time of 2:01:39.
Another influential figure is Joan Benoit Samuelson, who won the first-ever women's Olympic marathon in 1984. Samuelson has since become an advocate for women's running and has inspired countless female runners to pursue their dreams.
In conclusion, training for major marathons is a challenging and rewarding endeavor that requires discipline, dedication, and hard work. There are many approaches to marathon training, each with its unique philosophy and tactics.
What do you think of the marathon training article?
This response was based on a prompt inspired by a video I had just watched on youtube from Sean Vosler, copywriting expert and affiliate manager at Jasper. I've studied AI for several tech projects for my "day job" in technology.
If you are unfamiliar, the question that you ask ChatGPT or any other of these technologies is called a "prompt" and the more context and formatting you provide the AI bot, the better the response you will get. Here is the example prompt.
"Write a long-form article about the subject below, explore the different schools of thought on the subject, share any tactics and strategies on the subject, and other interesting insights around the subject; who are the impactful people related to the subject, and what can we learn from them? The subject is training for major marathons."
It created the initial response in ChatCPT, and then I brought it to Grammarly to check its grammar and see if it plagiarized. In both scenarios, it was actually pretty good.
What is AI? What is ChatGPT?
Of course, you might not have seen ChatGPT, generative AI, or any other technologies that have been emerging recently that can automatically create text, images, or any other creative you need. This a topic for another blog and another day! I can expand upon AI technologies later if you would like in another post. My post here is just out of curiosity and not actual advice.
What's Next?
The article was a very top-level overview of training for a marathon rather than that specific. I then continued to ask ChatGPT to expand upon the subject and pick out more particular programs, which I will post soon as the next post in the series.
What should I be asking ChatGPT?
Image: Generated with Runway AI
