Coaching Distance Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

If you're looking for one of the best vintage running books ever written, Winning Running by legendary Oregon coach Bill Dellinger deserves a place on your shelf. Packed with timeless distance running wisdom, it's an essential resource for coaches, athletes, and anyone fascinated by the training methods behind some of the greatest runners in history.

One of the book's biggest highlights is Bill Dellinger's complete 1972 training buildup for Steve Prefontaine's 5,000-meter season. Beyond Prefontaine's workouts, the book also includes training examples for athletes competing from the 800 meters through the 10,000 meters, providing valuable insight into the Oregon System of training.

This article isn't simply a breakdown of Prefontaine's workouts. Instead, it explores the five core training principles that Bill Dellinger believed were essential for designing effective training programs and helping athletes reach their full potential. Decades later, these coaching principles remain just as relevant for today's cross country and track & field coaches.

If you're interested in learning more about the Oregon System, Bill Dellinger's coaching philosophy, and the training methods that shaped Steve Prefontaine and generations of elite runners, be sure to read Steve Bence's article on the Coaching Distance blog:

The Oregon System
https://www.coachingdistance.com/post/the-oregon-system

By now, most of you have probably heard of Marius Bakken's new book, The Norwegian Method Applied: Threshold Training and Intensity Control for Faster, More Durable Running at Every Level.

I loved the book as it gave an in-depth look into the Norwegian Method straight from the godfather of the double threshold training himself, Marius Bakken, MD.

Here are six items I talk about in the video.

1. Interval Length & Paces
2. Protect the Easy Runs
3. Drip Load
4. Ferritin
5. The Golden Zone
6. Double, What?

As always, check out more at coachingdistance.com

Harry Wilson was a coaching genius beyond his time in the late 70's early 80s. The coach of Olympic 800m Champion Steve Ovett, Wilson used a variety of training methods, from all-out speed to high volumes of long repetitions to help Ovett become a champion. What I really like is the range that Ovett displayed, running 1:44 for 800m , 3:30 for 1500m and 13:20 for the 5,000m at a time when the world record was 13:08. I don't like saying it but I'm just going to do it..."iMaGInE wHaT hE WoUld hAVe rUN iN SuPeR ShOEs?!" I am going to add a bunch of Harry Wilson articles to the Training Pages in Groups, so check those out when you visit coachingdistance.com

This episode is a condensed version of the May Coaching Distance webinar focused on the 2026 12-Week High School Cross Country Off-Season Training Plan.

A cornerstone of the Coaching Distance plans is the integration of endurance, speed, strength, skill and mobility. Each of these biomotor skills are important for high school distance runners, even if some of these items are more general than specific. General is good for high school kids.

The rationale behind the off-season plan is building the foundation. Part of "building a base" is the inclusion of all types of training- not just easy running. Many of the training items are "prerequisites" that you'll need for successful workouts and racing later in the season.

This podcast will explore some of the influences included in this particular training plan from the past and present, including Renato Canova, Frank Horwill, Dr. Jeff Messer and Boo Schexnayder.

Check out more from Coaching Distance

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