Speed or Distance?

twinmom_112002

Which should I work on?

I can comfortably run a 5K in 33minutes. Before I started back teaching I was doing this every other day. My question is should I work on increasing my distance or my speed?

jillybeanruns

Well, first off what are your goals? Are you aiming to run a 10K anytime this year? Or do you just want to run 5K a few times a week and enter a few races?

emersoam

BOTH! Do a couple of runs each week where you focus on building your mileage up, and do a couple of runs that focus on speed (interval runs). Doing both will help you become a stronger runner; is great for the metabolism/fat burn; and will help prevent injury.

Nich0le

I agree wiht emersoam, intervals are a great way to do both!

Phoenix_Rising

For me, just starting, my goal has always been distance. I figure the speed will come more naturally as I run more often. But like mentioned above, it does depend on your goals.

Natural

yep, depends on what your goal is and sometimes how much time you have. i prefer distance if i have the time. if not, i'm kicking it up to speed.

EKarma

greatopic! I was just wondering the same thing myself! Sounds like I'm going to start adding intervals of speed xo

twinmom_112002

My only goal is to continue to exercise, maintain my weight and lose the love handles. I think I will add in some intervals and do a day of distance a week.

brasslady1

Well I don't know if I dreamed this or just thought it up , or saw it somewhere , but it said that it's not the distance or speed but how long is important...the endurance.......course I'm an older woman and that might be the case for me.....:blushing:

jillybeanruns

I would say 2-3 days a week of intervals (say 3 miles total) and then maybe a long run of 5 miles once a week.