Middle Ground wrote:
A couple of guys in my running club have taken to running Saturday 20-milers at marathon pace. They have improved their times. I thought they were a bit bonkers, so it is interesting seeing more guys posting runs like this, as opposed to moderate-paced distance with a few miles at MP to finish.
Is this coming from a particular coach or training plan, or just bubbling up on its own? I haven't seen this kind of effort advocated anywhere. Good for these guys if they can handle it. I am looking forward to some exciting running at the trials.
It's certainly done in other endurance sports. Running might be a little different due to the impact forces side, but you can easily build up to where cardiovascular 2-3 hrs total at near HMP takes little out of you, and probably 3-5 hours at MP or a touch easier (for an elite) doesn't take much out of you.
It's likely an attempt to get at, and improve, that fatigue resistance. It's also the same philosophy behind the Japanese school of thought around the marathon, where mileage often exceeds 180 or even 200mpw.