Is there a track in travelling distance?
Is there a track in travelling distance?
tse wrote:
Also a former collegiate runner who runs a few times a week, usually below 6:30 pace....you're a moron.
I was thinking rather narrowly when I replied. When someone pointed out that sub-6:30 pace was not that fast for an athlete running 40-50 mpw, I saw the error in my logic. Not everyone is training for long, slow stuff like I am. I am right around 90 mpw currently and the thought of everything at sub-6:30 is ridiculous. I think that it is ridiculous even for the top level "long-distance" guys (although they are closer to 150 mpw than 90 mpw).
Anyways, for someone who runs "a few times a week" sub-6:30 is very realistic. In fact, I would think that most sub-16 guys run that fast if they are training less than 50 mpw. In review, I admit to being a moron with my initial responses. I just had to remember that all Letsrunners do not have the exact same training goals as me. I feel appropriately stupid.
There is no monolithic training approach. Nor is there especially good evidence that high mileage is mandatory for most runners. Currently no US record below 8000m are held held by high mileage runners, but there are no joggers in that group. A recent US marathon title was won off of 80 miles/week, and recent Boston winners have been in the 80-90 range. This idea that 150/week is mandatory or optimal isn't just a myth, it's misguided.
The only runners who succeed at that training load have extensive training background and enough speed that 10 miles goes by rather quickly. Remember also that those big buildups are often followed by 2-3 weeks break at much lower volume, so the overall running per year is much lower than you might suspect. Bekele, the best distance runner ever is a much better runner on 85-105 miles/ week than 125-140 miles/week. And that's because he is not built to go slow.
Certainly there are runners who can run 6:30 pace everyday even at 90 miles/week; among those who don't are those motivated runners who train much harder some days than others, this more for effect than for lack of ability to run 6:30 pace whenever they choose.
Covering 7 miles at 7 pace the day after 12 miles at 5:30 pace can mean the far more difficult session was actually the slower running on sore legs. It's easier to jog in terms of pace and oxygen requirement certainly but not necessarily easier in terms of demand or stress.
I am sure the OP is happy you added in your comments...5 years after the thread was asleep.