Power Speed Endurance: A Skill-Based Approach to Endurance Training

I kept hearing people say if you want to learn about the elements of endurance get this book. It’s a 5 page intro about how Crossfit is the way to build endurance but you can also gain sport specific endurance through adding that on top of CF. Then it’s like 350+ pages of pictures on the mechanics of running, swimming and cycling. Then maybe 15 pages on how to create a basic CF Endurance program. I didn’t learn a single thing about endurance other than “Long slow distance peppered on top of CF is how to build real endurance.” Big let down for how expensive this book is.

Excellent resource book for swim / bike / run and strength training.

Only caveat is that the author slams low intensity training (AKA Arthur Lydiard) and says that high-intensity training is more important.

Bit bizarre that he recommends 15-45min of low intensity warm ups with drills etc would seem from a volume point of view that his programming is predominately LOW intensity... but there you go!

For years the fitness industry has thrived on a "complicate to profit" model, in which so-called professionals attempt to persuade aspiring athletes or those just looking to get in shape that they need to follow some arcane, mysterious plan that exceeds the limits of their comprehension. It's turned into a bit of a shark tank, and one could easily be misled into doing either ineffective or worse, destructive training. Power Speed Endurance cuts through the BS and delivers exhaustive, exacting, and effective analysis of the skills and techniques required for swimming, biking, and running. While this isn't necessarily revolutionary, given that Colm O'Connell has been coaching runners in Kenya with an emphasis on sharpening their technique, and both Arthur Lydiard and Percy Cerutty worked with their athletes on running more effectively (each coach trained innumerable World & Olympic champions), it's been a long time since anyone's made this the centerpiece of their philosophy. And I've never seen such a thorough collection of all the drills, skills, and analysis of what works and what doesn't as MacKenzie and his team have compiled here. As an avid endurance athlete who's been fortunate to work with coaches who understand the technical side, I can say unequivocally that this book gives spectacular, easily-followed advice that will make you faster and spare you from injury. Get the iPad or print version, because you'll want access to all the pictures and diagrams--they are excellent. It is comprehensive, deeply researched, and presented brilliantly and vividly.

While I don't agree that CrossFit Endurance's emphasis on WODs and intervals are optimal for improving performance in any endurance sport, they're still far better than the unstructured approach many people wind up taking. It's pretty well-established--despite what many CrossFit acolytes might argue, though some have toned it down lately--that properly paced "long slow distance" training, periodized and punctuated with hard intervals and anaerobic work produces the best results. Stephen Seiler's meta-study on endurance athletes across the major sports (running, cycling, swimming, rowing, Nordic skiing) demonstrates as much. And in my own experience, that was certainly the case because I didn't start winning races against higher-level athletes until I upped the volume and got smart about the intensity. But not everyone really has that sort of time, or desire, to do that much volume. Thus, for someone who's been doing nothing but long "medium hard" runs and rides, who rarely if ever does any meaningful anaerobic work, CrossFit Endurance will deliver results. It works best for those who've established something of an aerobic base. Of course, it's not like an elite-level athlete won't benefit either. Many endurance athletes are structurally imbalanced or simply not strong enough, and CFE provides a framework to correct yourself and improve that's better than pretty much anything else.

Bottom line? If you'd like to get faster, and get stronger, buy this book, read it, and keep it as reference. If you're an elite or aspiring elite, you'll still have to do the volume, but improving your skills and getting stronger will go a long way for you.

My background: Masters-level rower, 2011 bronze medal in the single scull at the Masters National Championships, casual triathlete, avid track cyclist, cyclocross & criterium racer.

I have not read this book. I saw brian McKenzie is the author and I thought "o that crossfit guy who made all these ridiculous claims and failed every marathon there after that claim?" For those of you who don't already know, brian claimed General crossfit wods would prepare anybody for a competition marathon. He said he would film a documentary and be the evidence. The only thing he proved is it doesn't work. I have no idea what he wrote in this book but because of his epic fails, I would not take advice from him. Google it. For that I gave one star.

I have a background in competitive bodybuilding and have been semi-retired since 2009. I'm a full time personal trainer and with that being said, I'm constantly on the lookout for new, educational material to help myself as well as my athletes/clients. While I'm not a Crossfit instructor, I enjoy learning about the CF philosophies and especially love reading and learning Brian Mackenzie's theories on running and endurance in general. I also enjoy watching Kelly Starrett's videos on MobilityWod.com. He's hilarious, quick to the point, and his information is always helpful. He shares his views in the mobility section, which is a highlight of the book.

11 months ago I took up running and over the summer I ran 3 different races; a 12K, a 5 miler, and a half marathon. Coming from a bodybuilding background, I had never been a runner or incorporated running into my routines even in short sprints or HIIT. I despised running and would avoid it at all costs. Something switched in me last year and my attention shifted to endurance training- and long runs/races. The problem I kept encountering was that I'd have one injury after another. First it was crippling shin splints (that I'm sure ultimately turned into stress fractures in both legs), then it was a tight IT Band and knotted up Vastus Lateralis muscle that wreaked havoc on my right knee and took me out of training for a few weeks. Then both knees started acting up... then minor pain in my achilles. Rest and ice helped, but when I was purposely training for an event, I found it difficult to sit still and take time off.

Brian Mackenzie's theories about doing less (running shorter distances) is difficult to wrap your mind around at first because the old school "way" is long runs scheduled throughout your week leading up to a race. The longs runs were difficult for me in the beginning, but I gradually built up my endurance and embraced the mental and physical challenges that the long runs provided me. 10-13 mile training runs were super important in preparing me for the psychological side of running, which was very alien to me. I'm planning to run a full marathon in June, and Mackenzie's principles will be at the forefront of my training. I'll definitely put more of a focus on my mobility, and strength training this time around and not beat myself up running so much.

I received this book last week, and have already read through it pretty thoroughly. I've also started implementing some of the ideas and strategies listed. Right now I'm working on my running form, which needs a lot of work. I can already tell the pages of the mobility section will be worn down and bookmarked in no time- it's invaluable information. I'm aiming to compete in a Triathlon in July, so the swimming and biking section will get dissected soon as well.

While I don't strictly follow a Paleo diet, I eat pretty close to it 90% of the time and find it a suitable way for me to eat. I don't consume bread, pasta or rice and I feel that my energy levels are perfectly fine while running. However, before a race I'll deviate a bit and have a piece of toast with jam and almond butter (this is rare for me), but it did seem to help with my energy levels, especially during the half-marathon. Eating in this way also helps me keep my body fat lower than if I were to consume a higher carb/grain diet. Brian Mackenzie is a proponent of the Paleo diet and he briefly describes it in the book.

All in all, this book is great! Fantastic photos, excellent explanations and advice, all you need to do is give it a shot and test the theories. I feel this book is appropriate for the novice as well as the seasoned athlete, and for the skeptics- you need to read and apply these principles probably more than anyone. Someone mentioned in another review that the form/exercise description on some of the strength training movements was sketchy (the deadlift, I believe). To this I'd say, check out multiple YouTube videos on powerlifting movements if you're unsure how to do them. Hire a personal trainer with a background in these type of lifts, or join a Crossfit class to make sure your form is correct and you stay safe. It's difficult to look at a picture and know how to properly execute a complicated movement like the Deadlift. But hey, don't take my word for it. Read, apply, and kick ass!

I bought this for my 53 year old buddy, and he was successful in dropping 25 lbs in six months and finishing the Marine Corps Marathon, with a surprising lack of injuries. There are great coaching tips in this book to correct the kind of unconscious bad form that adds up to chronic pain when you pound it 10,000 times in a row. I wish that I had this kind of information when I was young, before I ground up my knee and spine just trying to gut it out.

This book is geared toward the bulk of the population interested in general fitness training, and particularly one or all of the Triathlon sports of Running, Biking, and Swimming. The gist is to get your form right as the first priority (extensive great info on this was a highlight for me), and then to use a higher mix of interval training (along with strength training), as opposed to just pounding out more and more miles. The net result is a more manageable training schedule for working folks, and a lower risk of the kind of chronic overuse injuries that tend to plague those who train in long distance events without professional training.

Efficient, Safer, and Effective approach. Lots of useful details.

My past has been in the endurance sport realm...a soccer player, a mountain biker, a cyclist, a runner, a mountain junkie (hiking, climbing, etc). I wish I would have had this book years ago. Myself, like many endurance athletes, have put in miles upon miles upon miles on the bike and running. I have trained with the attitude of the more volume the better. In the last several years I have shifted that mentality with my own research and experience, but this book explains it all and WHY we need to train smarter, not harder. Endurance athletes are one of a kind...we just keep going. But over time that continued, "go, go, go" will leave us broken and away from what we all love to do. Brian MacKenzie and Glen Cordoza have developed a resource for all athletes and coaches that will make them better. They will feel better, they will perform better and their bodies will look like athletes, not broken down skin and bones. Power, Speed, Endurance: A Skill-Based Approach to Endurance Training is the whole package. It touches on every aspect of training for endurance sports in a safe, smart and effective manner. Thank you both for bringing to light the truth behind endurance training. If you don't have this book in your training resource library you are missing out! Get it NOW!

I bought is first from iTunes, to read on my iPad, liked it so much that I bought a hard copy for me and my wife, and two additional copies; one for my CrossFitting daughter and one for an employee who's really working hard to get back in shape. (She's lost almost 80 pounds so far.)

The illustrations are excellent and there's not much that's not covered..

This book is very informative on how to have the proper techniques on these basic activities (run,swim,bike,lift). I've been an athlete for 15 yrs and never knew the proper technique for running until I read this book, I always been taught "you gotta get use to it" but it never made since because my IT band and knees always hurt after each run. When I started the drills that this book recommends my running has gotten better and the pain were not there. The book also explains the improper way that many of us are doing and what are the cause and effect of improper techniques. Great book. Highly recommend this book.

I have been a CrossFit Endurance certified coach since 2009. When I first learned of the anaerobic endurance approach it resonated with what I learned as a competitive rugby player. The seminar was eye-opening and opened exciting possibilities.

The book contains everything I learned at the certification seminar, plus added photos. I used to frequently refer to my notes, but have now replaced those with this book. It helps to have a coach, but this is an added resource that if followed will revolutionize your endurance training. No dogma, this stuff works.