It’s a common misconception that the Norwegian Method is just running double threshold workouts.
So let’s hear from an expert on why you might consider the Norwegian Method to help you reach your endurance goals.
Brad Culp is a sports journalist, endurance athlete, and author of the fascinating new book, Norwegian Method: The Culture, Science, and Humans Behind the Groundbreaking Approach to Elite Endurance Performance.
Brad has contributed to Triathlete (and was Editor in Chief) alongside just about every other triathlon publication on earth. He also served as the media manager for World Triathlon for the 2010 season.
Brad is primarily a triathlete but earned All-American swimming honors in high school before competing in 7 Ironman races and 15 marathons.
The Norwegian Method is gaining interest among runners and endurance athletes. It’s a training approach for endurance sports that emphasizes long-term development, a strong aerobic base, and high training volumes.
We dug into Brad’s knowledge of the training principles behind the Norwegian Method: lactate threshold, lactate testing, a focus on low intensity and high volume, heat training, altitude, and more.
Brad Culp on Using the Norwegian Method as Inspiration for Endurance Training
In this episode, Brad Culp and I talk about:
- The nuance behind the Norwegian Method and what it actually entails
- The role of lactate and lactate testing in the Norwegian Method
- High volume training and Zone 1 running
- The difference between Zone 1 and Zone 2
- How elite runners use the Norwegian Method and what everyday athletes can learn
- Using cross training for more volume
- Heat and altitude as endurance training tools
Send this episode to your friend who wants to understand how they can adapt elite runners’ strategies to their own running goals.
Subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio.
Links & Resources from the Show:
- Brad’s book on the Norwegian Method
- Brad on Twitter/X
- Brad on Instagram
- Make sure you’re on the Strength Running email newsletter to get training tips, deals, and behind the scenes content.
- Hear 9 pro runners’ favorite recovery & prevention tips.
Thank you DrinkLMNT!
A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at DrinkLMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best.
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Thank you MOBO Board!
Invented by renowned physical therapist Jay Dicharry, MOBO helps you stabilize your stance with an innovative rocker board that’s set up on two fins. The design effectively forces you to drive your big toe into the board to improve your stability. I was pretty arrogant going into my first session on the MOBO Board. How hard can it be to balance, right? Well, I was humbled pretty quickly!
Even if you’re a good runner, better balance, stability, and proprioception is going to help you have a more powerful stride and prevent more running injuries. You’ll learn how to improve the efficiency of the kinetic chain from your hip to your big toe. Because as Jay likes to say, it’s not just how strong you are, but how well you use that strength.
I was recently at a weekend physical therapy workshop (lol I was the only running coach) and learned how important (and rare) this simple movement is. Save 10% with code STRENGTHRUN10 at checkout at moboboard.com.
