Lydiard or Speed Endurance?

[mr brightside]

It is true though Mr B, you have to get the miles in although that statement leaves the answer open ended. Is getting the miles in 2 miles, 20 miles or 200miles per week, Jimmy Ashworth style?

I reckon it depends upon your competetive distance; though even if you are a marathon runner one long session a week together with other training thrown in should only see you at about 40mpw max if you think the same way as i do. I don't know how many long runs per week marathon runners do, surely they can't exceed 1 or 2?

The main point I was making which isn't being taken up is about efficiency of training. If a man can run 15 minutes for 5km off 10 hours of exercise but could have achieved the 15 minutes off 3hours then you'd have to say he was wasting a lot of effort and wasn't very smart or scientific in his approach. Now you could say - like one or two on here - what does it matter if he enjoys running long distances. Well it might not matter if he intends to remain in the sport for a short period but if he loves running he'll be in it for good. That's when it does matter because the extra time spent running can have serious implications for long-term (even short term)health.

I think there is a pathalogical problem with people running more miles to perform better in races, and a larger problem with this idea proliferating itself through magazines and little nuggets like the one i heard in the changing rooms on friday. Someone somewhere could probably prove to me that running an extra 50mpw on top of their normal program will give someone an edge, but it must come at a terrible cost.

Our dear friend Daz h did a lot of miles, but he did them on his bike and not on his feet, and as a Lakeland Classics runner he will have needed to prepare for the ultra longs knowing he could maintain his pace throughout. It's a shame he isn't available for comment on this thread.