If you’re preparing for a longer race like a 1/2 or full marathon, you need to be able to run further in your training runs. Longer runs increase endurance & stamina. These runs are absolutely essential to develop a runners’ aerobic capacity.
The challenge for many beginner runners is completing runs of 5+ miles may not seem possible when they struggle to complete a 5k. The following video provides some really good strategies to help beginner runners run further.
Although it may seem obvious that longer training runs are necessary for longer races, but the question for many athletes is how. I’ve worked with many beginner runners who think that because they ran a 5k, a marathon is the next logical step. They’re not thinking of the numerous 10+ mile runs necessary to build their cardiovascular system for a long race.
A few of the strategies discussed include:
- Slow things down – many runners don’t run slow enough to give themselves an opportunity to run far. This video will show you how you can increase how far you run, by simply slowing down.
- Keep your runs conversational. This entails running with others. So if you can run with a group, you’re more likely to run slower and further if you can talk while you run. If you’re running too fast, you can’t conduct a conversation.
If you’re running a marathon, you need long runs to practice pre, post and during run fueling & hydration. You need to proper nutrition & hydration to fuel & recover from your long runs.
Again, this is a fairly short video, but it’s packed with proven strategies that will help any runner run farther.
