Running Faster

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Striker
For ages I've generally been stuck at the same pace.

Is it better to get faster to run shorter distances faster and then gradually increase the distance, or to continually run the same distance and gradually do it faster?
 


For ages I've generally been stuck at the same pace.

Is it better to get faster to run shorter distances faster and then gradually increase the distance, or to continually run the same distance and gradually do it faster?

If you aren't at your target distance yet concentrate on getting there 1st no matter how slowly but don't increase your weekly mileage by more than 10% each week.
Once you're at target distance google a training plan for that distance. A decent plan will have a mixture of interval, tempo & long runs which will improve a particular aspect of your running fitness.
 
Depends where you’re starting from and where you want to get to really.

If it’s far apart it’ll take a long time. I started from nothing in Easter 2013 and just ran steady 3/4 times a week until September that year then started doing interval training twice week and running 4/5 times a week. Then in 2014 I started the Sunday long run routine and was running 6 days per week. I also added in another speed session. By this point I’d joined a club and was getting advice from a coach. I saw huge improvements in my times late 2014 into 2015. Then started running everyday, sometimes twice. Been steadily improving since, with a little back and forth due to injury.

I think in short, different things will suit different people depending upon age and baseline fitness but I’d find you’d need at least 4/5 runs per week with two speed sessions and one longer run. . . It’s bloody hard work tbh and I do wonder if it’s actually worth it at times :)
 
This....

3 Different runs a week

Sprint intervals.

Tempo Run

Long Run.
This is what I’m doing atm, training for my first marathon.

vo2 max has flown up in 2 months on my garmin watch, I’m adding distance to my long runs each week and getting faster miles per minute than the previous week too. Set a half marathon PB last week.

All the while in a calorie deficit as I’m trying to drop a couple clem too.

feel like I’m getting a lot of newbie gains.
 
For ages I've generally been stuck at the same pace.

Is it better to get faster to run shorter distances faster and then gradually increase the distance, or to continually run the same distance and gradually do it faster?
What distance are you training for?

If I was you I would sprint up a massive hill, jog back down and repeat until you vomit.

Do this on alternate days and you’ll be dead or very fit.
 
I have found some notes from 2016 when I asked the same question.

A free pdf was recommended but I can’t find it. Julian Goater has some videos on YouTube too.

 
I see runner as petrol or diesel... You are either built for speed (petrol) or built for long distance (diesel).. But you can tune a petrol to be economic and you can tune a diesel to be fast.... You can train your body to do both... Happy running everybody...
 
I see runner as petrol or diesel... You are either built for speed (petrol) or built for long distance (diesel).. But you can tune a petrol to be economic and you can tune a diesel to be fast.... You can train your body to do both... Happy running everybody...
That’s a good analogy. I am ok at being both petrol and diesel, though not outstanding at either. Maybe I am a Prius.

I had a ponder last night. If you were training a whippet to run faster you would ensure that it’s fed well, trained well, has recovery sessions, the occasional sausage.

In human terms you need to consider the physiological factors that would increase speed.

- increased leg strength.
- increased cardiovascular and aerobic ability.
- good nutrition, plenty of rest, no excess flab.
- the correct training.

Or as someone else mentioned, use steroids and amphetamines.
 
I see runner as petrol or diesel... You are either built for speed (petrol) or built for long distance (diesel).. But you can tune a petrol to be economic and you can tune a diesel to be fast.... You can train your body to do both... Happy running everybody...
diesel here, but without the distance.
 

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