Expert: Alan Kahn - 6/16/2005

Question
Former heawyweight champ Larry Holmes wrote on his webb page that he ran 3 hours in the morning before breakfast, is this good fore your body?

I am trainig for amateur boxing and is this a good way to start your day?

Answer
Hi Daniel,

Running B4 breakfast is fine, but I don't think you should judge what is right for you by what Larry Holmes said he did. Three hours is a bit excessive for the average boxer, and remember, he was a world class athlete, most likely with a group of highly specialized coaches or under someones training supervision.  He might have run that long to "cut weight" as opposed to cardiovascular training. And his statement ( as you have written....) doesn't say what pace he was running at. Trudging along for three hours at a 12-14min mile pace is much different than zipping along at a 6-8min per mile pace.

I would say 30 - 45 minutes is a more realistic time for most ring running.  Vary the Pace, fast and slow, like a fight moves from round to round. Train with a little variety, to match the ring.

I also suggest you log on to: http://www.rossboxing.com and check out the information there and online forums.  Lots of inside boxing training information there.

Good luck in your boxing efforts.  

Sincerely

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible
http://www.speedbagcentral.com