Short runs - too short? (Read 942 times)

Some days I either dont have time to do a scheduled long run but I do have time for a short run. I am training for a half marathon 3 weeks from now. Basically, do runs shorter than recommended training distances make much of a difference. Is it better to do the short run, say 2K instead of a scheduled 6k or 8k as opposed to nothing at all?

Of course any running is better than no running but you need to build up some distance runs in order to complete a half or full marathon, Your body needs to experience running for over an hour b4 you will be successful at a long race. You should be able to do approx. 80% of the half marathon distance you intend to run. You could do more 2k runs but you should do one long run each week adding 10% per week until you get near the 80 %. You would have to be an elite runner to do the distance pain free for the first time without at least some distance training.I looked at your log and you appear to be training perfectly. You can replace some of your 6 or 8k's with faster 2k runs but don't eliminate longer runs entirely. Dave

Sounds good to me, maybe increase your speed a little bit on the shorter runs you plan to introduce to your training. that would make your 1/2 marathon training even better by introducing speedwork. It depends on whether you want to complete the half or do it in a specific time. Good luck, Dave

Hey Charlie, Sound advice, thanks. I am running in Toronto, Canada. It's 3 weeks away today and I am enjoying the training. On my long runs I feel good enough to keep going and going with no soreness or tiredness the next day, so at least I am confident I'll finish the half without a doubt...as for my goal of under 2 hours it's going to be close. cheers Dave

It's better to rest entirely and try instead to get at least 3 full training sessions a week.

First, I think short runs can be nice to aid recovery, work out the legs, etc... but I think this (above) is really the main point. I've been training using a book called Advanced Marathoning (Pfitzinger/Douglas). One of the smartest things I've read in there is the idea that if you do extra miles (easy short runs) when you should be resting then you are constantly fatigued and when you go our for your hard workouts (long or speed), you do them with reallly poor quality and don't reap the maximum benefits (basically, you're running with moderate intensity all the time and not improving). However, if you use those down days as true rest days, you will train better on the days that you do run and show more improvement. It's sort of obvious, but I had to read it to realize it! I'm very sympathetic to the limits in the time you have for running... and even short runs take the same amount of time to prepare for (and stretching afterward). If you're like me, running time comes at the expense of sleep time. I wonder, if you didn't do the 2K runs as frequently, would you be more able to go out for an 8K sometime mid-week? That way, you're gettting good sleep in between and also getting a good run on training day. These are all practicaly considerations, of course. I don't think the question is what type of training is ideal.. I think the question for you (and a lot of us) is, how close to ideal training can you get within the limits of your schedule? Good luck... let us know how it goes as you approach your HM!

I'd like to chime in here too: I believe people react to longer or shorter training individually. I know if I go for a bike ride, anything less than 60 minutes is not worth bothering with. For running anything less than 15-20 minutes is a waste of time for me also and I am not fit at all, just a beginner runner. However other people, based on their fitness, may benefit from short workouts, especially if it is to just keep the legs limbered-up and keep the motivation going. To generalize, doing something is better than doing nothing at all. YMMV Kyle

Actually, there is one unmentioned benefit to your short runs. I don't think they do anything to help you physically, but they may do a helluva lot *mentally*. Just getting sweaty, getting the endorphins going, and keeping up the *habit* of a regular running schedule may make them worth your time. (Assuming they aren't raising your risk of injury. If you're sprinting out the door with no warm up and doing a mile and then no cool down, that risk of injury probably outweighs even the mental and emotional benefits).