Running: How Many Miles?
How many miles should you run each week?
When I trained seriously for marathon running, I thought
that the runner who ran the most miles would be the best.
I didn't become a great runner, but I did become an expert on
injuries. My patients seldom come to me with a running injury
that I haven't had.
Many top runners run more than 100 miles a week
because their bodies have the genetic ability to withstand such
abuse, but the vast majority of runners will never be able to run
100 miles a week without being injured frequently. Furthermore,
running a lot of miles slowly will slow you in races. The ability to
run fast in races depends more on how fast you run in practice
than on how many miles you run each week. However, every
time you run fast, your muscles are damaged and feel sore on
the next day, and it takes at least 48 hours for your muscles to
heal enough to allow you to run comfortably again at a very-fast
pace. After every workout in which you run very fast, take the
next day off or run at a much slower pace. Most top athletes
plan their workouts so they run very fast only two days a week.
The same principles apply to any endurance sport.
Checked 12/29/09