throwing the baby out with the bath-water - training and the Death Race

In previous posts I have talked about training for the Canadian Death Race: A 125 km relay through the Rocky Mountains. Well, the race is next weekend. I feel very much prepared to run the leg I was assigned. However, I think that saying this is quite different from saying I'm prepared to "race" this distance! My goal is to complete my leg in just over 2 hours. I will be quite satisfied if I can accomplish this time.

I have noticed that running long distances has been of some tremendous benefit to my grappling. While I was concerned that long runs would hamper my "wind", my sense is that my endurance, both aerobic and anaerobic thresholds, have measurably improved. We spar a lot at our club so I have lots of opportunity to gauge my fit-ness level and may account for my increased anaerobic capacity. For example, Saturday open mat runs from 11:30 to 1:30 during which tend to spar for the good part of the time. In the past, I would begin to get noticeably fatigued after about 45 minutes of rolling. Now, however, I can typically roll at a moderate pace for a good portion of the time.

Conventional wisdom - at least of what I'm aware - suggests that training for fights should consist mainly of high intensity interval training (HIIT) - and I agree fundamentally with this perspective. I understand that training should mimic fighting conditions - certainly. And HIIT fits the bill nicely. Moreover, this form of training is interesting, fun and can be varied to avoid becoming banal. Its very difficult to argue the efficacy of this approach after watching the results of Jon Chaimberg's work become actualized through GSP's 5 rounds of awesomeness. From what I understand Chaimberg, for the most part, eschews long slow distance training. Again, after watching what he has accomplished in elite athletes such as GSP, arguing otherwise is akin to arguing against puppies (who doesn't like puppies) or mothers.

I don't want to argue with Chaimberg or against him. His results speak volumes. My only point, and granted I don't have a lot of fodder in support of it, is that I think there may be role for long distance training to play in the fighter's training.

Don't get me wrong: I'm not sentimental in the least when it comes to running. I don't have a great affinity for it. Moreover, I'm not certain that fighters should be running long distances everyday as overuse injuries loom large - that's the last thing a fighter preparing for a big fight wants. Rather, I want to suggest that perhaps there is a place for moderate 10 or 15 km runs situated somewhere in the training cycle. Is there not some benefit to this type of training? Is it useless for a fighter to incorporate moderately paced running in their training programs?

As for me, will I continue to run longer distances as part of my training? My sense is that I will. I've derived a tremendous benefit from it. I'm lighter, quicker and can roll for longer periods. At the same time, I'm not anxious to run in minus 30* weather! Once September or October rolls around, I'm going to incorporate more of the kind of training Jon Chaimberg advocates and see what happens.

best,

Bryan