Distance or speed?

Question

When you go running. Do you focus more on distance or do you focus more on now quickly you can run, say, a mile? 

I usually focus on speed and trying to better it, but that makes it a little hard in the heat we've been having lately. 

So tonight I'm focusing on distance, even if it's gonna kill me to see my time being god awful. I just wanna see how far I can go before I tap out.

redeyemindtricks · Accepted Answer

If it's a mile, it's still distance running!

I mean, I get yr question, but, "speed" is something physiologically distinct. It's anaerobic (vs. distance running which is aerobic), and uses different muscle fibers ("type IIa" and "type IIb", rather than the "type I" fibers used for endurance).

What you should do -- especially if the weather is too hot for distance running -- is HIIT (high-intensity interval training).
Basically, intervals of 10-30 seconds of MAXIMUM effort -- you shouldn't be able to maintain it ANY longer -- followed by 30-90 seconds of rest depending on yr goals and fitness level.
You can do this with sprinting, although that's inadvisable if you are not a trained sprinter (high risk of injury to hamstrings). Better to do it with stairs <3 <3 or with a cardio machine that you can legitimately push to MAXIMAL effort levels.

If yr goals are aesthetic, then you should mostly *just* be doing HIIT, and cutting down on the distance running anyway.
Have you seen distance runners? They have that stringy, sinewy look (which comes from the dominance of type I muscle fibers, as discussed above). It's not particularly attractive on most people.
HIIT work, on the other hand, builds the muscle fibers that actually contribute to an aesthetic body.

Also -- For women in particular, you have to be REALLY careful about yr diet when combined with distance running.
There are studies to show that endurance exercise releases stomach-area fat into the bloodstream -- but, if you eat high-glycemic food soon after running, you'll store new bodyfat in "stubborn" areas (hip and thigh cellulite among others).
Have you ever seen women with a fairly slim, somewhat toned-looking midsection, but flabby/cellulite-y thighs? THAT is what can *easily* happen **IF** you do endurance running and then eat lots of carbs in the following few hours.

CHARismatic110 · Accepted Answer

I focus on time. Before I go, I set a distance. Usually 2-4 miles. And I try to get my time down every time. But I don't do a lot of running because of my knee and because I'm uncomfortable running on the street. If I go to the track, I'll run more.

dangerDoge · Accepted Answer

I vary my workouts to keep things interesting. The only thing I'm super consistent on is the mile warmup, stretching, dynamics, and half mile cooleown with additional stretching.

One day's workout may be running at a decent jog pace after a warmup for a long time. (For distance runs, I usually go by time like for 45 minutes or an hour or whatever straight.) Another day's workout may be repeated timed miles (go a near full out mile, take a timed break, repeat). One other time may be jog intervals mixed with short sprint intervals.

Another thing I like to do is a kind of zone running thing. At my university, there's a track with a steep hill next to it. Zone 1 will be the hill, zone 2 will be around the track, and zone 3 will be the field. I'll set a time frame and sprint up the hill, let it carry me down, and slow jog a small area to catch breath, then continue back up and so on so forth. For zone 2, I'll sprint the straights and jog the curves. For zone 3, I'll do stuff like pushups, squats, planks (one arm planks too), bicycles, mountain climbers, etc. etc.
The break time between each zone is a slow walk to each spot. This keeps the heart rate going but also let's me catch my breath. It's really fun! If you have a place like this you should totally try it!

So yeah, I guess I try to vary it up a bit. I'm more of a distance person, but I don't like to run aimlessly or else I feel I won't push myself too hard.

zorro8888 · Accepted Answer

It's typically the same distance, I try to run anywhere from 3-5 miles a day... the thing that changes is the speed I maintain, for example... I could fully sprint for a minute then jog for the next then alternate repeatedly so my body doesn't get used to my patterns... a bit like max interval training.

BertMacklinFBI · Answer

i focus on speed. whenever i think im slowing down, i run faster. i want to have a challenge while running.

Grungenoreos · Answer

I focus on both. People say you generally better at one or the other but that isn't necessarily true. Yes, we are stronger on one point than the other but I have learned that endurance and speed are related. If you can get a good time on a 100 meter dash sprint you can usually run longer distances well. In fact even more well because you have a quicker pace... Pace all the depends on the individual and it doesn't mean going slow but simply a medium speed for yourself. That being said, it is true that we are better than one the other and I focus on both.

Harbor · Answer

Speed. I don't care about distance. I'm a sprinter.
The faster you start off your jog, and the longer you hold that speed, the better runner you'll become. When you get tired of running at that pace do not begin to walk not even brisk walk. Remain jogging, lightly, but keep jogging, until you feel like you could pick up the pace you were first at again.

06CuriousMind · Answer

I focus on time I guess. Not necessarily how fast I run a mile but the route I run is superrrr hilly and I haven't been able to run all of the hills yet. So I keep pushing myself further and further up the hill each time I run it.

Xfitchick · Answer

If I run, I want to be tired and satisfied at the end. I usually only have a 1/2 to 1 hour, so I adjust my speed to that.

NearlyNapping · Answer

The fastest pace that I can keep indefinitely. Get the right rhythm and pace, and keep going and going.

jjfrancis · Answer

distance, we are built to run for miles with no brakes, so i strive for jogging about 5k a day, i might ramp it up this summer though :)

e900325151 · Answer

Distance but I was also a sprinter for track. But distance when I work out not at practice.

SunsetRose · Answer

Distance. Just signed up for another half marathon 😊

Phoenix98 · Answer

Distance, as I can already run fun enough and if I ever need to improve I'll just simply switch for a bit.

rgb008 · Answer

Distance for sure. Always been more of a distance runner rather than a sprinter.

RedThread · Answer

I always go the same distance. I just focus on getting my time up as I get more in shape again.

Mesmaeker · Answer

I am shifting to speed lately. Want to do 10 clicks in 50 min by oktober

MaLifeBeLikeOooAaah · Answer

I keep the same distance but just improve on speed. So i'll bomb it for 20 seconds... rest then bomb it again until I feel sick/give up.

Anonymous · Answer

You and speed? I think you will end up being a truck which is out of control with your massive tyres aka legs

vekin · Answer

Because i gonna have soon a 14km run i am focussing on that

Mustachekitteh · Answer

Distance, so I make it to where I'm going.

SammyGurl · Answer

Distance, speed and duration will come in time.

cth96190 · Answer

Distance. I am too old for speed.

Panay · Answer

Speed. At mum improving on my 1 mile tome

mechp · Answer

Distance and speed both

jesusnicolas768 · Answer

I usually focus on distance rarely on speed

legalboxers · Answer

distance. I get shin splints walking 3 blocks

ZellRocx666 · Answer

The distance.

bcromartie · Answer

Speed

Distance or speed?

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Thinking speed vs. Speaking speed. Which one is faster in your case?

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