ChatGPT Running Resource Review

So I went and asked ChatGPT to give me some online running resources. Some I really liked, some not so much. I thought I’d give you my 2 cents worth.

For training plans, the number one site that ChatGPT gave me was:

Hal Higdon's Training Programs: Offers a variety of training plans for different skill levels (https://www.halhigdon.com/)

Personally, I love Hal Higdon. When I started running in 2001, I signed up for his daily running plan where he would send advice and specify how much I should be running each day. Though the program was geared towards the Chicago Marathon, it happened to match the marathon I was training for.

I went through all of Hal’s books and gradually completed all of his training plans for Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced. I was running around 10 marathons a year and had no injuries following his plans. I was also lucky enough to meet Hal Higdon at the Disney World Marathon, had a chat, and got an autograph from him.

If you are starting your running journey or want to bump it up a notch, follow his plans. I believe they are still written in miles, however, which is slightly annoying for those of us (i.e., the rest of the world) that follow metric.

I’d add that his four cool down stretches are the only stretches that I do after running, some 20 years later. I do anywhere from 1 to 3 sets of each for 15-20 seconds, though I’ve been told to do longer:

• Standing calf stretch: pushing up against a wall, get a good stretch in each calf.?
• Standing quad stretch: balance against a wall, and bring your shoe up to your butt and hold it stretching your quad.?
• Standing hamstring: I try to elevate my leg onto a bench and then reach down to my toes. If I’m feeling frisky, I’ll twist right and then left and then center.?
• Lying glut stretch: lay down, bend your knee, put the opposite one on top of your thing and then draw your thigh into your chest.?

I also try to do a groin stretch and a hamstring stretch, but usually only manage that during my yoga days.?As I'm getting older, I should probably ask ChatGPT what other stretches I should do.

“Daniels Running Formula."

Hal Higdon talks a lot about Jack Daniels and his running formula. ChatGPT gave Jack Daniels a spot at #4. Originally, I wondered what bourbon had to do with marathon running, but Jack Daniels, Ph.D., has been heralded as one of the best running coaches in the world. His book, “Daniels Running Formula,” is a great read and goes into a lot of the science of running. There are also good plans that are much more flexible than Hal Higdon’s and can greatly challenge the runner.

However, with that said, I would recommend Dr. Daniels for advanced runners. I only use his book for reference and ideas for running programs. I would also recommend it as one of the top five books for a serious marathon runner to have on their bookshelf to learn the physiology of running and why different workouts improve different parts of your run.

2 recommendations from Mr. Chat I don’t use or recommend:

Runner's World. I find this too commercial. I may come across an article every so often, especially if it is from Bart Yasso, but on the whole, I find this a bit too commonplace.

Nike Run Club: I tend to stay away from branded resources. As much as I might like Nike or any other brand, I find that there are better resources if you’re serious about running.

Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook

For nutrition advice, ChatGPT recommended Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook. If you’re serious about running, then nutrition is a key element you have to master. I found Nancy Clark’s recommendations scientifically balanced and easy to follow. If you don’t know her, look into it. (https://nancyclarkrd.com/)

MyFitnessPal. As an app, MyFitnessPal was a recommendation.? I like this app, though don't use it now. I’ve used it on various occasions and found that the food tracking is helpful to do for a month every so often to make sure you are staying on track. Though the app is generally focused on calorie counting, there are some insights. If you’ve never tracked your diet, give it a shot.? (https://www.myfitnesspal.com/)

Strava. There was also a recommendation for “Community and Support” on ChatGPT.? Strava came up high. I have to admit, I don’t look at Strava that much, but I do believe that the runners and triathletes I know love the community and posting results as well as seeing what friends are doing.

"Advanced Marathoning"

One resource that wasn’t mentioned is Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas’s helpful book, “Advanced Marathoning.” This is my marathon Bible. After you have worked through all of Hal Higdon, this is the next step. The book is still grounded in science, like Jack Daniels, but I found it more accessible. The cross training was easy, and the training plans exceptional, though they are still in miles (come on America, get with the program!). I have to admit, I ran about 10-15 marathons in kilometers before I ran a marathon in miles. It sucked! Mile markers are few and far between, making a race run in miles mentally more difficult, in my humble opinion.

On the whole, the recommendations by ChatGPT were okay…maybe a 6/10 rating and nothing new or exciting. However, if you are looking for new ideas to expand your knowledge of running and marathons, give it a shot and see what you find.

So what do you think? Should I have asked ChatGPT something else?

Happy Running,

David

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David Sweet is the founder and CEO of FocusCore Japan FocusCore Japan, a leading executive search firm. He is the author of six books and holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Development. For more information, follow his running on Strava or contact him at [email protected]

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