High end aerobic runs, also known as steady state, aerobic threshold, is a pace about 30s/mile slower than marathon race pace. It is about 80% max heart rate, lower if you're not fit.
So here's the question, are high end aerobic runs necessary? What benefits does it have? The general trends are it's good for middle distance (seb coe and el guerrouj), but is it also beneficial for long distance runners?
How do elite runners schedule high end aerobic runs in their training? (percent of total weekly mileage, duration, length, frequency?) How would you schedule it in a 5K training schedule of 50 to 70 mpw?
Sorry if this is a bit of a rant:)