Splitting up long runs?
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laurasuzanne2006
Posts: 103 Member
I read somewhere recently (think runners world or womens running) that splitting up a long run doesn't really make a difference in your training as long as it is within a 24 hour period. Has anyone actually done this? with what results? I don't plan to do it but if i end up doing my long runs on call nights and then get called in it may be my best option. To me it seems there would be a big difference energy/endurance wise having a several hour break between runs.
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The adaptations that take place on the long run do not even begin until you have been running for about 90 minutes. Splitting up a 16 mile run into two 8 mile runs is not the same.0
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Not an expert but I guess one of the purposes of long runs is to get your body used to run a certain amount of miles continuosly (i.e. 12/13 miles for a half-marathon and so on). On race day, you won't have the option to split your run in two so I don't see the benefit of doing so during your long runs.0
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It may (or may not) benefit you physically but the psychological aspect of the long run cannot be overplayed. If the furthest you have run is say 13 miles and you're going to enter a marathon that is quite a leap mentally.
This harps on a bout the benefits of splitting runs and there's tones of other articles professing the same but I am of the opinion that a long run should be just that
http://www.marathonnation.us/long-run/splitting-the-marathon-long-run/0 -
There are situations where I'd schedule runners for split runs, but as a rule I don't. I find it more apt for triathletes that have other stressors on their body besides running.0
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If you have to cancel a long run because of work, it might be better to switch workouts and do the run another day, even if it reduces the overall mileage. Long runs are the most important aspect of training. If that is just not possible, then a split is better than nothing.0
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I tend to think that one long vs two shorter runs would still result in a similar cardiovascular benefit, but the mental and muscular training benefits at long distances is lost.0
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The training plan I'm following has you doing a 6 mile easier run the day before your long run. He says that this is important for simulating running longer distances on tired legs but the plan doesn't cut the longer run short at all. There's still two 18 mile and one 20 mile run in the mix. I'd say it's necessary to do it all at once.0
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From everything I have read the posters above are correct about it not being the same. Keep the long run instead of splitting it up.
There are some experienced runners in this thread who have given me good advice. I would trust them here as well0 -
It's definitely not ideal, but if there are time constraints it doesn't hurt. I had to split up a 12-miler a few weeks back--6 in the am, 6 in the pm. I wouldn't say it's beneficial to do it often, but once in awhile is fine.0
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I would not split my long run in two runs. I do run 2-a-days and also back-to-back long runs, but my long run is my long run.0
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Splitting up a long run = two short runs = not as good as a long run = better than one short run.
For marathon training I wouldn't make a habit of it, but in a pinch it'll do!0
