Runners: Time or Distance?

filovirus76 · March 2016

I've been running for years, and I always do time as my workout. The one exception is marathon training, where my distance runs are for a designated distance.

What do others do? Run for distance or a set amount of time?

janejellyroll · March 2016

On my daily runs, I run for a set amount of time. When I do my long runs on the weekend, I usually run a specific distance.

peachyfuzzle · March 2016

I'm currently trying to transition from time to distance now that I'm able to get up to 3.5 miles regularly. I hit a 5-miler last night for the first time, so at those distances it seems to be more effective to go by mileage.

SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage · March 2016

Totally depends on the day. On days where I'm short of time, I run for time. For example, I have an hour between the time I get home from work and the time I have to pick up my son from daycare. That gives me 30 mins to run, then have time to cool down and have a quick shower.

On days when I have more time, I run for distance. I will even run up and down the block in front of my house at the end of my run in order to get my exact distance

RollTideTri · March 2016

I've done both. Right now I'm going by time because I'm trying not to worry about distance and pace as much as x amount of time in a certain HR zone. Just trying to build my endurance up without getting injured which is an issue for me

WickedPineapple · March 2016

I do the same, I typically run for time (30 minutes) unless I'm race training. Then it's either a mix or just distance. Another exception is when I do outdoor running on trails, in which I do distance just because it's easier to know when to turn around based on a trail marker.

TavistockToad · March 2016

Distance as I'm training for a half marathon

CrabNebula · March 2016

Usually distance, either 1 mile or 5km. Depends on how much time I have overall.

filovirus76 · March 2016

I ran X-country throughout high school. I switched schools between Sophmore and Junior year. My first HS it was all about time. Run 30 mins out, 30 mins back as an example. My first HS it was all about distance, 3 miles out, 3 miles back as an example. I hated distance training. So as I continued running post HS, I always do timed runs, and vary my pace depending on my workout schedule.

I was just interested in what others do.

ROBOTFOOD · March 2016

Distance with a goal pace. I make my own custom race plans. 25k, M, 50k coming up.

LKArgh · March 2016

Used to run for distance when I was much younger. After having kids, I switched to running a set time, for practical reasons.

NikolaosKey · March 2016

When I do long runs I aim for distance. Pace and speed when training mid distances.

emblu · March 2016

Errrrrr I just run

I have a route in mind and do it, then I check the time and mileage out afterwards. It can be anything from 5miles to 8 or more and time wise; if I haven't got time to just run then I'll do my 45min quick road route for a fix lol

tcatcarson · March 2016

Always a distance, and at a set speed. Longer slow runs at the weekend (8/10 miles) , faster tempo runs often on treadmill (5/7 miles) and a recovery run in between each (5 miles).

If you run for a time, what happens when you're not back home when your time runs out?

jdt242 · March 2016

Distance.

FatMoojor · March 2016

Both, set a distance and a target time to complete it. Then try to improve on that time next run. Apart from my weekend LSRs which I just head out for up to 3 hours or so and then check the distance covered when I get home.