Van Aaken Method: Finding the Endurance to Run Faster and Live Healthier

by Ernst van Aaken

My whole teaching in one sentence is, Run slowly, run daily, drink moderately, and don't eat like a pig. To be healthy, one must train - and eat - like a marathoner. This is the Ernst van Aaken method... the Pure Endurance Method. Endurance is the magic word - endurance preferably gained on long runs at moderate paces. World-class athletes run faster after using it. Women and children are natural endurance runners who thrive on it. It is a long-term health investment which he prescribes to runners and patients alike. He writes, Only the person who runs daily, lives modestly without touching his reserves, and eats little but well will ever become a good runner, Or, for that mater, remain truly healthy. True health, Dr. Ernst van Aaken maintains, stats with endurance. And from maximum endurance grows maximum performance.

134 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Krista Joy Sarchet]

This book contains very interesting insights into early endurance training methods. Some recommendations are very extreme as far as the mileage required. I like some of the ideas regarding workout intensity and frequency and how daily moderate exercise has a large benefit on one's health.

[Matthew Jerome · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is some good stuff in this book by Van Aaken, especially about maximizing oxygen uptake during off-season training ("If I miss one day, I can tell that I'm several seconds slower." -Emil Zatopek). The publish date (1976 by Runners World) leaves a few things out-dated about nutrition and the level of anaerobic and aerobic work one should do. Oh, and he's an advocate of walking during some runs, supposedly to slowly build up (over years) to highly competitive levels. Putting the miles in is crucial, but it is alright to do two runs a week that are right at the oxygen delivery pace - this is over the prescribed 150 beats a minute heart rate upper limit that Van Aaken suggests.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, I'm loving this book!