Value of the Long Run

If your like most people than the long run is probably the workout on the calendar that you dread. Its like that doctors appointment that will be beneficial but you don't really want to do. Despite the fact that it may be a long workout , it is one of the most important workouts for a distance runner.

The long run is beneficial to distance runners in the sense that it increase the number of capillaries that you have. Secondly it burns more fat. Thirdly it gives more fast twitch muscle fibers the ability to act like slow twitting muscle fibers. To put it simply it's a workout that you should not miss if you are planning on going into longer types of races.

I cannot state enough how important the long run is , regardless of where you are in you're training. This is the workout that helps to build a good base which will allow for you're weekly mileage total to go up. It should not go more than 10% a week, anymore than that and you risk injury. I find that it is helpful to  do towards the end of the week because of the fact that its almost like an extended recovery run, so not as much pressure as  a speed workout for instance. The pace of the recovery should be just a little bit faster than the recovery run. If you are running by yourself than a ipod would be ideal (if you like music during your run). It's also a good run to do with friends for support.  Lastly it's a good opportunity to clear your head from the cluster of the week.

Stay tuned for advice on quick recovery from the long run and then some!

Thanks for Reading!