As a runner, I run a lot of miles. Like a lot more than you would expect for someone that is running marathons just for fun. At the moment, I am pushing past 70 a week. I am focusing on doing higher mileage over speed so I can comfortably do these races.
Most who sign up for a marathon or half are looking for a challenge. They want to accomplish something meaningful. They want to cross that finish line feeling strong. They want to thrive, not just survive.
Unfortunately, there often ends up being a mismatch between that goal and the training plans that people get. A lot of traditional plans are designed to get folks through at a specific time so it is common for them to include pace targets and tempo workouts. There is nothing wrong with those plans and they can absolutely improve performance. They just aren’t for me. When you are focusing on time or pace, you stop listening to your body. That is where you can get hurt by pushing too hard. You can also get burnt out by chasing a number that you can’t ever seem to hit.
That is why I don’t care about speed. I care about being able to run everyday. That means I focus on being injury free and recovering quickly. I strive for durability. Distance over speed.
Becoming a durable runner
This approach takes a lot of time. Slow and steady; out there grinding. I am exchanging speed for durability. Most of my training runs are easy ones. I love sitting in zone 2 and seeing how far I can go. My gym workouts and hot yoga are there for mobility and recovery. The only tempo runs I consistently do are continuous ones. I do them to improve my zone 2 pace so I can go further.
It took me years to build this high mileage base and I am still trying to add to it. The bulk of my miles are easy ones; spending a lot of time on long runs. I mix up where I do them on the weekends to explore. I am always on the look out for fun ways to get my miles. I love volunteering at races where I can do the pre run or course sweep. Whenever I travel for work, I always try to find a new trail to hit.
To be durable, you have to do more than just miles. I put time in at the gym focusing on posture, stability, and injury prevention. I use hot yoga sessions for mobility and recovery. You have to do these types of workouts if you want to run high mileage without breaking down.
Living inside a fatigue block
One aspect of my training that I particularly enjoy is that I am almost always carrying some level of fatigue. I am almost never fresh. That sounds like a bad thing but I think of it differently. It is like wearing weighted clothes. My body is constantly adapting to the workload because the workload never completely disappears. As a result, I rarely know just how fit I am.
Races are always a surprise for me. When race week arrives, I taper. The weights comes off. Race day shows me the progress I’ve made. Every taper feels like Christmas morning because I get to see what the consistent mileage under fatigue has built. Sometimes the result is faster. Sometimes it is not. Either way, I love this process because it makes every race a celebration.
Investing in the grind
The biggest benefit of this approach is sustainability. I enjoy running. I enjoy spending hours on trails. I enjoy the grind.
Racking up weeks, months, and years of consistent mileage lets you always be race ready. I’ve completely leaned into that; always being ready for a half or full. Will it be a killer time each time? LOL… no. I do know, however, I can get out there and just grind it out.
That said, doing high volume is having positive impacts on my races. Slowly I am chipping away at my race times. It is cool to see it. Consistency compounds.
Build your training around your goals
One of the best things happening in running today is that more people are participating than ever. It’s bonkers just how many people are simply getting out there and getting it done. Everyone has their own reasons for running. Some want podiums. Some want Boston qualifiers. Some want adventures. Some want community. Some simply want an hour of peace before work.
These are all valid goals. What is important is to put your goals at the center of your training, not as an outcome. If you love getting easy mileage like me, then don’t train like you are trying for a PB at every race. The best training plan has to support your goals. It is one you can follow consistently for years rather than months.
Think about your goals. Are they your own or someone else’s? Keep yours and discard the rest. Are they at the center of your training plan? Make adjustments until they are.
Push Pace 