can someone plz explain the point of double days to me?

ie. (for the purpose of clarity 'cause i'm not sure whether i used the proper terminology) what is the point of doing an AM run and then a PM run (or a AM workout and PM workout)?

If you have an early class in the morning and dont have the time to do your full run then you get half of it in in in the am then the other half later on.

It is just all of a matter of how busy your day is.

Some days I would have a full day of classes with a late afternoon lab that would go into the evening. On these days I would do a triple ! ( three 20 minute runs in between classes)

there is a search function on this website.

oh i'm sorry. i'm a newbie. thnkx.

Chimpy wrote:

If you have an early class in the morning and dont have the time to do your full run then you get half of it in in in the am then the other half later on.

It is just all of a matter of how busy your day is.

Some days I would have a full day of classes with a late afternoon lab that would go into the evening. On these days I would do a triple ! ( three 20 minute runs in between classes)

Not this. Evidenced by how many people there are who don't have class or work yet they still run doubles.

The point is that, in general, the more you run the better runner you'll be.

To that effect, if you're already running a certain amount it can be easier to add more volume by running more frequently rather than just increasing the length of your runs.

Also, some people find that adding in a shorter run either after or before a workout can help loosen their legs or help with recovery.

wow, cftk.

The point is to increase your mileage, pure and simple. Higher mileage will usually have a positive effect on distance running performance.

...when sex once a day is just not enough.

The purpsoe of running twice a day is to get better at running. 8 miles in the morning and 5 miles in the evening is better than just one 10 mile run

5 miles in the morning, and 5 miles in the afternoon is better than one 10-mile run.

doubles ftw yes wrote:

5 miles in the morning, and 5 miles in the afternoon is better than one 10-mile run.

It really depends what you mean by "better". If you're training for a marathon then you probably become better adapted for you chosen event by doing the 10-mile run over two 5-milers.

The catch is that if you do a lot of longer runs then you take a greater risk of injury... so splitting your day's mileage into two (or three) runs allows you to keep the mileage (and quality) up and have a chance to recover a bit between each run.

The other thing to think about is: what's so special about a routine of running once a day?

It's a lot easier to get in more miles if you run twice a day, and many people agree that running twice a day decreases recovery time. I know I always feel better all around when I'm running twice a day. It also makes it easier for me to maintain my running weight.

Most elites run doubles.

I disagree with this completely.

However, I do think that doubles are beneficial. I disagree with the statement that 8/5 is better than 10.

By doubling 8/5 you are only advancing fitness with the 8 mile run. The 5 mile run is 30-35 minutes for many, and that sustained duration is not long enough to have a significant effect. However, it is good if you are trying to build mileage. It is also good for maintaining fitness.

If you run only one run and it is ten miles, that is 60-70 minutes for many. At that point, you are teaching your body to process glycogen more efficiently, as you are running near the depletion duration threshold. You get greater fitness gains than during the 8 mile run, and you promote metabolic efficiency.

Overall, I am not denouncing doubles. I am saying that 10 is better than 8/5. However, what is better than both would be 10/5.

30-35min is plenty long enough to have a significant effect.

i know plenty of people who don't run longer than that and they have improved much and are running at a great level

you could sort of look at doubles the same way you look at an interval workout...sort of. what i mean is, why do 8x400 with a rest instead of just doing 1.5-2 miles hard? Or here's one: why do less-intense runs that are longer than your goal race distance? If you're a 5k runner, why not just do hard 5ks everyday?

pretend newbie troll is good :)

search Malmo and doubles

and the thread on Malmo and how to structure high mileage weeks

Someone please give this lady info on double days and plyos. Her daughter runs the 800 for UCLA and the coach doesn't believe in either. She wants to help her daughter improve.

Vancy Pants wrote:

Overall, I am not denouncing doubles. I am saying that 10 is better than 8/5. However, what is better than both would be 10/5.

You are categorically wrong.