The one thing many don't consider is their are a whole family of HGH forms. We don't measure each varient.

For example, you can get huge increases in HGH in relatively easy running for long duration. Or you can get large increases with short intense intervals at 3k or so pace. Or you can go lift more than 70%1RM and get increases.
Each exercise is likely to increase a different varient of HGH, which will have specific responses.

The point remains though, is HGH something that we should be completely designing training for??

As a northwest boy I'll agree with your forrest and trees comment.

RIAA,
Matthew Barreau

Don't loose the forrest from the trees or whatever the saying is.

There's a lot we don't know about nutrition.

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't try a high fat,low carb diet to teach glycogen sparing. The intensity and length of workouts wouldn't be able to get high enough to get a lot of the adatpations you want. I'd stick with occasional workouts done in a glycogen depleted state or longer runs without taking in sugar. That would be more likely to hit the signalling pathways you want.

http://peakrunningperformance.com/webpages/imag...

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Increasing the production of human growth hormone (HGH)
By Kevin O’Donnell

Supplementing human growth hormone (HGH) is now in vogue in professional athletics. The never-ending search for a competitive edge and the low risk of suspensions because of ineffective testing procedures has prompted greater interest in HGH. The good news is that athletes need not choose a sinister path to increase HGH levels in their system. Many natural and legal means exist to accomplish this task.

When teaching these methods, we divide our audience into two groups: the young developing athlete and the professional performer. Each group should understand the environment in which HGH is triggered in our bodies and embrace a lifestyle that enhances these circumstances. Sleep, low blood sugar, periods of vigorous exercise, cold water immersion and ingestion of certain amino acids will prompt production of HGH.

The first focus for the young athlete to dramatically increase HGH levels and enjoy the benefits is by not inadvertently impeding the bodies scheduled production of this hormone. Get out of the way of your young body and you will have all the HGH you require.

The number one inhibitor of HGH production in young people today is insufficient sleep. We know HGH production spikes in the first hour and in the final two hours of a full sleep cycle. However, if you are snacking two hours before bed, your blood sugar will increase and stop HGH secretion in the first hour of sleep. The average teen sleeps for only 6 hours per night. In doing so they lose the second phase of HGH production which occurs in the 7th and 8th hour of the full sleep cycle. Be certain to avoid eating 2 hours before bed and make sure to get a full 8 hours of rest in order to maximize your HGH production.

The second best opportunity for HGH production in the young athlete is that period immediately following intense physical training. Once again, it is critical to avoid inadvertently inhibiting the HGH mechanism. If you follow training by eating or drinking substances high in carbs and sugars, often found in sports drinks, you will shut down HGH secretion. Instead reach for plain pure water and high protein meals following training.

Another appropriate therapy post training for the young athlete is cold water immersion. This technique has been widely used for centuries to reduce the inflammation that results from a tough competition or training session. Research reveals that degrees of hypothermia also prompt HGH production. So fill the bath tub with water, add some bags of ice and immerse yourself for short intervals of time (3-5 minutes, 2 minutes out). Tissue inflammation will be reduced and HGH production increased.

NEXT: Increasing HGH production in the professional athlete.

Okay, serious answer. Both Hatch and John D. had much cooler/better/deeper answers than I had intended. My thought was simply this. BV can see he's getting fitter each day; when the camera is focused on individual cars it's obvious that “we're movin'!” But when you look ahead in training – to January or May or August it looks like your making very little progress; when the camera focus to the end of the train it's hard to see the end. That's it. Training is about patience and to me the train was an example of that.

…but what is so cool about JH's take is that his training IS very much about doing disparate things in training in week or two week cycle. He's trusting that, when linked together, these weird workouts will result in a specific outcome – running 800m or 1,500m faster than he ever has. I'm blessed to have the chance the to work with JH and his faith in this process – that running lots of 500s with 300m at 5:20 pace then faster, faster uphill for 200m, but never getting to 800m pace, will make him a better runner (yesterday's workout). It is a distinct training session and it's not a lot like the actual event. But he trusts it and I am confident that come spring he'll be able to link up these disparate training elements and run fast.

…but the patience was my simple (simpleton?) thought regarding the train and training.

Thanks for the comments!

JH