Runners...

kittens2cute

I have a question for my fellow runners out there. What is the purpose of a short run when trying to increase mileage? I try to get out 3 times a week (I know...should do more but I like cross training too), so as I get out I like to hit a certain mileage and then try to surpass it. But I keep hearing about people training for long distances and will go out and do a short 3-4 mile run when they CAN do a 8 mile one. Can you tell me the benefits of this?

TavistockToad

Because training is about building your cv fitness up, which isn't done by pushing as far as possible every time.

dewd2

Different runs for different aspects of your training. Together they make a plan to get you to your goals.

A short easy run after a long run can be used for recovery (very, very important). A short run with speed intervals teaches your body how to use fuel more efficiently. Shorter tempo type runs teach your body about pace. Plus, if you ran long all the time your body would wear out and your risk of injury would increase.

MeanderingMammal

Cumulative mileage, and a range of paces and distance have different effects.

With that in mind I might make up a 25mi week with a 10 miler, with perhaps a 3 mike slow recover the following day and two 6 milers at slightly faster pace.

Or in marathon training I might do 16 milers on Saturday and Sunday having only done perhaps a six miler and ten miler in the week before and six miler as recovery the following Tuesday.

Adaptations need a range of stimuli

BrianSharpe

Changes in pace, improving speed. Typically your shorter runs will be closer to your race pace than the longer ones.

JenHuedy

dewd2 wrote: »

Different runs for different aspects of your training. Together they make a plan to get you to your goals.

A short easy run after a long run can be used for recovery (very, very important). A short run with speed intervals teaches your body how to use fuel more efficiently. Shorter tempo type runs teach your body about pace. Plus, if you ran long all the time your body would wear out and your risk of injury would increase.

This pretty much covers it. I am not training for anything currently, so I'm running 20-25 miles per week to keep a decent base in addition to weight training. My main runs are about an hour at a steady pace, but I mix in a long slow run once a week and one or two short fast runs. If I'm feeling good, I try for a 10k pr once a month or so just to see where I'm at.

Bluepegasus

As everyone else said, it's all about mixing it up, longer runs are generally done at a slower pace, but if I'm only running a short way I run it as fast as I can.

SKME2013

Yes different runs for different goals. Some of my short runs are: either recovery (after a race); hill repeats or tempo runs. My mid-long runs are often race pace and my long run is long and easy. Also do not build up volume too quickly or you run the risk of an overuse injury.