Speed or Distance: Does it matter which I work on first?

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  • tappae
    tappae Posts: 568 Member
    Anyway ... if you really delve into running for overall weight loss, the overwhelmingly vast majority of research is on higher intensity running--so, faster running. Specifically, training using intervals.

    Running in intervals builds speed, speed endurance, burns more calories with less distance, and continues burning calories longer than endurance running. That's scientific fact.

    Greetings, Penman!

    Our credibility is similar. We have similar weight to lose and have both gained back previously lost weight. I just want to warn you not to drink the Kool-Aid!

    Like any other exercise, running is subject to the laws of science. There are rules about how the skill of running is developed. I have found the writings of Jack Daniels to be very helpful.

    I would caution you not to accept advice about running from someone that does very little of it.

    Running intervals can increase speed, particularly if you have a strong base of aerobic fitness and muscular/connective tissue strength. Endurance is better developed at slower speeds, since a greater proportion of your energy will be coming from aerobic metabolism. Faster running will burn more calories per unit of time, not per unit of distance. The increased afterburn from more intense exercise is negligible and easily overwhelmed by the possibility of increased duration with lower intensity exercise.

    Be very careful about using the phrase, "That's scientific fact" without reference to pertinent research or easily accessible experience.

    OP, gradually increase how much you run (every 3 weeks or so) until you are running 5 times a week and at least 30 miles per week. At this point, you will be faster than you are now and you will probably be ready to start introducing true high-intensity work into your program.
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,659 Member
    Hello,
    I finished my Zombies Run 5k training app about two weeks ago, and since then have been running a 5k every other day in preparation for a race I'm running on April 5th. However, I'm extremely goal oriented, and I'm trying to decide whether I should immediately continue training for a 10k, or work on my speed. I run a 5k EXTREMELY slowly right now (43-45 mins), and feel like if I go much faster I'll burn out, but that at my current pace I could probably go a bit longer. Does it matter which I work on first? I know that one day I would definitely like to do 10k, so it's a when and not an if question. If you say speed, is there a particular "training" program for this other than getting fitter and dropping pounds?

    If it makes any difference, I'm still very obese, weighing 224 pounds at 5 foot 7.

    Thanks for your help!

    Work on your stamina, then you will be able to run faster for longer, which of course means a faster 5k time.

    I would say longer runs before speed.
  • Kirk_R
    Kirk_R Posts: 112 Member
    Greetings, Penman!

    Great response. Kudos!

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