Double Threshold, High Volume, & Lactate: Exploring the Norwegian Method with Brad Culp

The Strength Running Podcast

It's a common misconception that the Norwegian Method is just running double threshold workouts.

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.

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.

We 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.

And don't forget to check out The Norwegian Method here!

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.

DrinkLMNT's products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.

If you’re not familiar, LMNT is my favorite way to hydrate. They make electrolytes for athletes and low-carb folks with no Sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. I’m now in the habit of giving away boxes of LMNT at group runs around Denver and Boulder and everyone loves this stuff.

Boost your performance and your recovery with LMNT. They’re the exclusive hydration partner to Team USA Weightlifting and quite a few professional baseball, hockey, and basketball teams are on regular subscriptions. So check out DrinkLMNT to get a free sampler pack and get your hydration optimized for the upcoming season.

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.