Discover the blueprint used by Olympic gold medalists and world record holders to achieve their best performances. Andrew Snow, a powerhouse in the running community with over 27 years of experience offers his highly acclaimed, results-proven triphasic model that runners have used to set lifetime PRs from the 5K to the marathon in as little as three months—even in their 40s and 50s!
Run Elite presents a concise structure that allows you to customize world-class training to your specific needs. You'll be able to predictably peak your performance on race day, even if you’ve been stuck at a plateau, injured, or believe you’re past your prime.
But it’s not just about the physical you’ll transform the way you approach your running by modeling the mindset techniques of the world’s best. You’ll finally have a clear approach for how to condition your mind to go beyond what is “reasonable” and reach your full potential—and it isn’t just about “pushing hard”!
With new insights from recent research done by the US Military and Stanford University on improving performance in as little as six weeks, you’ll get your hands on the tools that until now, only elites had access to.
Now’s the time. Train smarter, change your approach, and run faster than you think possible.
I grew up incredibly active. I was a serious competitive swimmer through high school and a bit of university. Training an ungodly number of hours a week, waking up at ungodly times, and just generally putting my body through ungodly amounts of pain. This sounds terrible, but I found it incredibly fun. I spent so much of my formative years training and competing. I didn’t realize how much of my life outside of it would feel weird.
About two years into graduating and working full-time, which happened to coincide with the worst pandemic in a century, I realized how sedentary I had become. I had stopped swimming years ago, and since then barely exercised. My weight had fluctuated. My fitness and strength clearly decreased. Outside of work, I lacked direction. I had taken up reading as a serious hobby, but otherwise I felt like something was missing.
So I started working out. Dabbling in things. Fast forward a few years, I’ve raced triathlons up to a half-Iron Man, gained strength in the gym, and have just generally become a much more well rounded athlete. I pursue year long training cycles, hoping to peak my fitness at certain races of the year, and have just generally molded my life around fitness as a hobby.
That isn’t to say I’m an expert by any means, but I’ve been around a lot of different training modalities, and different coaching philosophies between the sports I’ve dabbled in. So it was interesting to read Snow’s book here because, beyond the science specific to running, a lot of it resonated with my own experience in training.
Run Elite outlines a specific philosophy around run training that is informed by both science and the experience of elite runners around the world. It mostly focuses on a few key areas:
- To get better, you must cultivate a healthy sense of confidence and self-belief - Running performance is not dictated by VO2 Max, running economy etc. but by your muscular system and your bodies ability to handle the feel of race pace - Training can be split out into three phases (what he calls the triphasic model) that starts by building overall fitness but then gradually narrows down into specific race training: base, support, specific - Getting faster is about consistently performing faster and slower (but faster than easy) than race pace to get your muscular system to adapt - Any training block will only take effect after six weeks due to this being the most effective period for muscular adaptation
None of the training tips per se are particularly groundbreaking, but I think the focus on the muscular system was interesting and different than other training philosophies I’ve read. But it resonates a lot with my own experience in racing.
The mindset part of the book might be eye-rolling to people who really don’t like self-help voodoo stuff, but its interesting reading this in conjunction with Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance. There Hutchinson outlines compelling evidence that one of the largest barriers to running faster was actually your brain throttling you (it essentially is trying to prevent you from dying). In both books, there’s a sense that overcoming barriers in training and racing is a lot about creating psychological skills and habits that help push past these feelings. When I’ve hit a racing wall, it’s not my fitness that will keep me performing. It’s the mental side of training that keeps me performing.
The muscular system focus is also something I’ve experienced. I’ve seen way more gains racing way beyond race pace, than just doing consistent easy mileage. Of course, this isn’t to discount the long running 80/20 model. You need easy volume to grow fitness at the same time as enabling recovery. But I think it’s too easy to get stuck in the trap of not pushing yourself to run faster.
The book has made me rethink some of the conventional wisdom around training (more easy mileage is all you need) that you see being bandied about in online running forums. I plan to take a lot of the structure he outlines when making my own triathlon programs as well.
Beyond this though, there were a lot of random, helpful tips. From specific workout structures (hill sprints!) to carb loading procedures to race fueling strategies, there was so many valuable tidbits in here. On top of truly amazing training stories from some of the best running athletes to ever live.
There were parts that I was not a fan of though. There were components of the book that felt a bit too much like ads for specific products to my likening, and the entirety of the NAD+ supplementation chapter felt scant enough on evidence that made it a dubious addendum to the book.
But overall, a very helpful and interesting book. Will definitely be a training bible I return to often. I’ve mostly followed pre-built programs, but this makes me interested in crafting my own based on the knowledge I’ve been gathering in different books about training.
This is the Bible of running. If you want to improve your running performance and are serious about training smarter, learning what elite runners do, and digging into the peer-reviewed literature (which Snow has gathered and summarized for you) this is the book for you. While it's no secret that this book is for runners, a lot of the information in this book could be used for any athlete to boost their performance. And as Bill Bowerman said "If you have a body, you are an athlete." There's also additional tips, hacks, and info that promote longevity. Who doesn't want to live longer and healthier? If you like to get into the science the bibliography is a great place for additional reading. Overall, phenomenal book. I don't think I've ever read a 300 pager so quickly.
Of all the training manuals I’ve read for running, this one probably tops them all. It’s very much a pen and paper kind of book. I’ll need to get the hard copy and reread.
My favorite part of this book was the author's descriptions of some of the most successful running coaches (e.g. Jacks Daniels and Renato Canova). He brought up some really good details on their training philosophies and tries really hard to bring them together. There is a lot of good discussion on the important nuts and bolts of training that everyone would do good to learn or be reminded of. My least favorite part was how doctrinal it sounded about nutrition, something the author seems to believe is completely figured out and which everyone should be following in the exact same way (spoiler: it's mainly raw plants). If his confidence about his nutrition knowledge is well-founded, then if Courtney Dauwalter starts following it right now she should be breaking Walmsley's and Jornet's records next year at Western States, Hardrock, and UTMB (writing this in December 2023).
5 stars for the facts and 1 star for the opinions (particularly when Jack Daniels' statements were mis-paraphrased).
P.S. Also very frustrating is what seemed like plagiarism in this book. He uses Jack Daniels chart, with minor changes, to show how time should be distributed between training phases based on the total available time.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5. I devoured this book, and I may read it again! Some great new ideas that I haven’t read elsewhere but also weren’t too “out there.” It generally seemed well researched and I like that you could actually design your training plan using the ideas (not just big ideas, but also practical). I do a lot of reading about running, and I think it built off of other things I’ve read while offering something novel.
My only critique is that it seemed geared towards men. 95% of the athletes and coaches talked about were men. This would not be such a big deal except for that newer research shows gender differences. As an example, there has been some evidence that glycogen depletion runs don’t work as well for women, and I think this should at least be mentioned, or maybe at least say the effects for women are less studied/known.
Overall, great book, though! I highly recommend to all running nerds.
The amount of free online information on endurance running is almost infinite. There are also thousands of books on running. So, I count myself as extremely lucky to have come across Andrew Snow and Run Elite. I had watched most of the Run Elite YouTube content, which is also super helpful. But when I read Andrew’s book “Run Elite: Train and think….” It really pulled everything together into one resource. It is a great read, with interesting side stories backing up the training model, well written and contains actionable set ups that you as a runner can use immediately to improve your training. The passion Andrew displays for his lifelong craft, long distance running, comes through the 341 pages in spades. The value of this book is exponentially more than its cover price. I’m currently reading it for the second time and I highly recommend this book.
Audiobook. Andrew does a fantastic job reading. Super informative and motivating. One of the best running books I’ve come across. Went out and bought the hard copy so I can go back through and take notes.
I enjoyed this book as a runner and coach. I already apply much of what is written about in the book including a larger base training phase before moving into more race specific work. I hope to keep learning and applying new things to my own training and the athletes that I coach.
Excellent ! The clarity Andrew has in his YouTube videos is top notch, and it is no different in this book. The proof will be in the pudding of course as apply this to my run training.
As a running coach this was a very refreshing to read! The mindset portion of the book is underrated and not talked about in any running community enough at all or even big running clubs. There is no book that summarizes into sport psychology in a digestible way like Andrew Snow outlines here! This is one of the most concise written books on advancing your running I have ever read. Andrew Snow knows his stuff and knows a lot more about running than I know. Thus, I learned a lot and very impressed how well researched and compiled the science literature on running. Thus, I learned quite a bit with many takeaways for myself and when I coach others. The part on history of elite running programs was very fascinating. It allowed you to understand the evolution of where we've come from to come to now! The book is very accurate for modern times until the next breakthrough in exercise physiology changes the landscape. Every part is very digestible and the audio version is engaging with his passion & enthusiasm just oozing out when he speaks. It is always more relatable when the author reads out his own book! :) which is takes another layer of dedication to producing a solid product of information.
The only critique I would point out is there no mention to alternatives for those who are blind, visually impaired. Many of these training techniques or training for an ultra would be out of reach realistically without A LOT of dependency on others involved even if that person had the financial resources.
This book is a great step in the right direction if you are self-guided and do not need or like to be coached. Furthermore, it gives you the mindset tricks and training principles to hit the ground running (no pun intended ;) until you need specific guidance. Otherwise, at the end of the day, the reach your potential in running you would need a running coach to oversee your training for an objective lens. The one area this book covers better than any other running book on the market is the Mindset section. The physiology and training techniques will not work everyone nor work everyone in certain life situations. Many books cover similar topics but Andrew Snow does a fantastic way of making it more relatable and concise!
In closing, overall HIGHLY recommend this book for any serious runner who wants to learn more about running, learn the principles of training, mindset improvement and just have a good read if you love running. If you are passionate about running= you won't be able to put the book down! <3 ;)
After I finished reading Run Elite, by Andrew Snow, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of sadness and loss. Don’t get me wrong, the book is brilliant. The sadness and loss I was feeling was for my missed opportunity to put the lessons of the book to use when I was in my running prime. I have been searching for this book for nearly my entire running life of over 50 years – and now it shows up when I’m 69!? But, as Andrew says, if I “absorb the material” in the book, I “will have the best running years of [my] life ahead.”
I believe that.
I have long known that the “cookie cutter training plans that you can print out and put on your fridge” were not the way to go. And, of course there are many great books out there about training, but few of us have the time or ability to study what makes an elite runner elite and then distill that into a digestible, logical, and inspirational individualized plan. Andrew makes that possible. In particular, I appreciated how Andrew explored some of the major myths that have long populated training literature and then proceeded to explode them with empirical evidence and logic.
Andrew has done the fundamental work for us by defining the necessary mindset needed to commit and achieve, and identifying the physiological truths about training. No matter how young or old you are, or whether you are a beginner barely able to run a 5k or an elite racer, I believe that absorbing and then implementing the lessons in Run Elite is sure to significantly improve your running.
As always, doing the work is up to you, but if you are looking for a fantastic and understandable way to be the best you can be, read Run Elite.
- Brad Fawley, Runner and Author of The Frontrunner
"Run Elite: Train and Think Like the Greatest Distance Runners of All Time" was a fun book to read for me, a hobby runner:
Base Training Focus: The book emphasizes the importance of building a solid base through a combination of slow and fast running. It offers detailed training plans and insights from elite runners, showing how to balance different paces to build endurance and speed.
Healthy Weight Loss: One of the standout messages is the emphasis on losing weight through a healthy diet rather than relying solely on exercise. The author provides practical advice on nutrition, helping runners understand the importance of fueling their bodies correctly to optimize performance and health.
Mindset Matters: The book underscores the crucial role of mindset in achieving personal records (PRs). It offers techniques used by elite runners, illustrating how a positive and focused mindset can drive success and overcome challenges.
Muscle Training: Another key aspect covered is muscle training. The book explains the importance of strength training for runners, offering exercises and routines to build the necessary strength to support long-distance running and prevent injuries.
"Run Elite" is packed with actionable advice, real-world examples, and motivational insights that make it an invaluable resource for any runner looking to elevate their training. Whether you're aiming for a new PR or simply want to enjoy running more, this book offers the guidance and inspiration to help you reach your goals
Run Elite is one of the best sports books I’ve ever read. It speaks directly to the reader in a frank, sympathetic, and constructive way, and tells true and inspiring stories about great runners, such as Emil Zátopek, Roger Bannister, Billy Mills, Jim Ryun, Steve Prefontaine, Joan Benoit, Usain Bolt, Haile Gerbrselassie, and Eliud Kipchoge. The book is solidly grounded in published research on the craft and mechanics of footracing, including sections about physiology, biochemistry, and nutrition; training, mindset, and pacing; muscles, bones, and body fat; the pelvis, the legs, and the feet; and shoes, stride length, and running surfaces. For me, the most interesting parts were about the energy economy of the body, digestion, and the Krebs Cycle.
The author marshals all of this information and more in a clear, logical sequence punctuated by well-thought-out charts, graphs, and sidebars. In short, “Run Elite” is a masterwork that, in my opinion, will be read in perpetuity by athletes around the world.
An interesting book that takes you through the journey of multiple elite runners. A book that does provide a lot of insights on how to better run. Especially the part that a race should not be very different from your training. And also the method of accumulating lots of higher than race pace and slower than race pace efforts. A proponent of polarised training and with details on how best to achieve the same, a book that should be read by all runners.
The book looses readers at time with lots of promises and not so required branches and hence 3.5 stars for it.
This book had amazing tips for runners. I stopped reading it two months ago because it was making me want to run every time I would read, and I was dealing with an injury, so I had decided to stop running while trying to heal. I had no idea that I was 20 minutes from the end and that there was a section on injury in the last part of the book. I read it on Kindle , so the last 70 or 80 pages are sources sited, so that's why I didn't know. I liked how it was written and how easily understandable it was. Also, that he included inspirational examples of some of his running clients' stories.
Not necessarily anything new here, but very well discussed and a great explanation of how to implement a plan based on these ideas. Loved his knowledge and excitement that he brings to the page. He gives us average runners the knowledge and information to take advanced running techniques and apply them to our training so that we can hopefully succeed at our own individual goals.
Some great information in here, starting first with mindset than training strategies. I really like his triphasic training plan, unfortunately with my next race in less than 3 weeks i can't adopt all of these ideas, but at least some of them.
Highly recommend it and i plan to read again and my purchase the audio version.
I can’t recommend this book. The author continuously makes straw man arguments when attempting to discredit top running researchers and coaches. If you can’t refute Daniel’s without distorting his research, I must admit that I find it difficult to trust any of your conclusions. I’d consider them to be made on faulty foundations.
Well written and inspiring. Some great stuff on mindset, recovery, and the triphasic model of training. Not quite 5 stars because I wasn't convinced by all the dietary advice on raw veg and supplements.
An elite book by someone super knowledgeable and passionate about his craft! From mindset to nutrition to running strategies, this book has it all for someone looking to get to the next level!
Great read for all runners in various stages of their journey. Well written, many different tools to understand the concepts, and actionable resources to improve in running.
If you are committed to running a marathon, this is a must read. Excellent tips and guidance for developing a comprehensive training plan backed by science and common sense.