HS kid running 7-10 miles each run (no doubles) in base phase. Is that OK?

That sounds pretty normal. Are you concerned that the kid isn't doing enough faster stuff, that they're doing too much running, not enough, or isn't getting enough variation in run distance/intensity?

Any of these might be valid concerns in some cases, but at this time of year, for a while, that sounds very typical.

Had Some Myself wrote:

That sounds pretty normal. Are you concerned that the kid isn't doing enough faster stuff, that they're doing too much running, not enough, or isn't getting enough variation in run distance/intensity?

Any of these might be valid concerns in some cases, but at this time of year, for a while, that sounds very typical.

Yes to all the above.

10-11 mile runs regularly seem like a lot (No doubles). With 2 mile as the longest track event in HS is that run length ok?

70-some miles per week during an aerobic/base refresher phase between XC and track is not anything extreme. I wouldn't worry about it, unless this is way more than the kid has ever done before. Personally, I'd have some runs longer and some shorter, but that isn't strictly necessary.

As far as the other stuff, I'm sure that'll come as the track season nears.

B. Ummer wrote:

10-11 mile runs regularly seem like a lot (No doubles). With 2 mile as the longest track event in HS is that run length ok?

Yes

B. Ummer wrote:

Had Some Myself wrote:

That sounds pretty normal. Are you concerned that the kid isn't doing enough faster stuff, that they're doing too much running, not enough, or isn't getting enough variation in run distance/intensity?

Any of these might be valid concerns in some cases, but at this time of year, for a while, that sounds very typical.

Yes to all the above.

10-11 mile runs regularly seem like a lot (No doubles). With 2 mile as the longest track event in HS is that run length ok?

You never told us the age & background of this runner. That would help a lot. But, I wouldn't be too concerned. I would have this runner add some strides, hill sprints, 150's, etc. just to touch on the top end speed. But, if the runner has experience, is enjoying him/herself, & isn't breaking down, allow this to simply be. I'm sure most of us would love to be able to do this.

In college I ran 120 miles a week for the 1500. I would say that 70 for a 3200 is good and in honesty he is probably closer to 60. In the end it's all about that base.

I'm surprised this is a question. I thought 7-10 miles per day in base training was exactly what most competitive high school runners did.

only at successful large school programs. I am struggling to get my coach to understand that 45mpw and a 10mi long run won't kill my speed. Last I checked Centro was pretty fast and he does at least 80mpw regularly.

I am all for 70 mpw, I just didn't know if doing 10-12 milers daily was as good as breaking it into doubles as 5 & 7-8 are more traditional.

Team training starts in January. Tempos, Fartlek and hill sprints are added then.

He is a junior who has built up to this so its not alarming. He's always been more of that 10k type runner rather than a speed guy and he likes singles more than doubles. When he does double its weights and a light run.

He's was 9:50 as a sophomore for 2 miles.

I did this in HS and was fine. But my mile pace was closer to 8 min/mile with sub sub 6 minute last mile or twos if I felt good.

B. Ummer wrote:

I am all for 70 mpw, I just didn't know if doing 10-12 milers daily was as good as breaking it into doubles as 5 & 7-8 are more traditional.

Team training starts in January. Tempos, Fartlek and hill sprints are added then.

He is a junior who has built up to this so its not alarming. He's always been more of that 10k type runner rather than a speed guy and he likes singles more than doubles. When he does double its weights and a light run.

He's was 9:50 as a sophomore for 2 miles.

Ha Ha Ha, you know you trolling bro. This is Letsrun.com that kid should be doing 100 miles per week and then he'll run 9:15.

The kids from Hammond HS back in the 70's were over 100 miles per week. Three of them went sub-9 for 2-miles. IMO, more is better.

Adding. If you want to hit your true potential, you will run doubles. 10 runs per week is minimum.

If he can handle 10 miles a day in singles that is better than doing doubles of 6 and 4. Now if he feels like he is strong and can handle it he should add doubles ot this 10 miles a day. So twice a week to 10 and 4.

If this kid was training with Lydiard, what would he be doing?

Mileage makes you a better runner. Simple.

-Uncico Coleman 😘

PostCollegeRunner wrote:

If he can handle 10 miles a day in singles that is better than doing doubles of 6 and 4. Now if he feels like he is strong and can handle it he should add doubles ot this 10 miles a day. So twice a week to 10 and 4.

It's not really that simple. If you do 6/4 on a regular basis instead of 10, you can probably do that 6/4 at a much faster average clip without overtraining. I had a stretch when I was doing a lot of 5/5 days, and I got pretty strong running them all at low 6 pace, in hot weather. I think that kind of training can be especially useful for people who race shorter distances.

On the other hand, varied stimuli can also help with development. I think that issue isn't discussed on these boards nearly enough. When you hear runners debating how fast to run on easy days, how often to run doubles, etc., a lot depends on what you've been doing before. If you've had success with a certain kind of training, but you seem to be leveling off, then try something different. Try lots of medium long runs. Try really increasing your average pace on easy days. Try doing more quality workouts per week while really slowing down on other days. Whatever it is that you're not doing, that you've heard other people have success with, give it a season and see what happens.

B. Ummer wrote:

10-11 mile runs regularly seem like a lot (No doubles). With 2 mile as the longest track event in HS is that run length ok?

It sounds like this guy is pretty slow-twitch, meaning probably better st 10k (or possibly longer) than something like 1500-3000. OP says as much in a post.

So, this kid should be doing something like this, which is what I did in HS when my main event was 10k. I was doing 65-70 early in junior year. No tragedy ensued.

The only thing I would recommend is more variation. My base now is long run; easy days; short steep hill sprints; long run; easy days; near-all-out strides; easy days. When I was 15 I wouldn't have needed easy days (plural) very often but in middle age I do. There's speed (short with long recovery, so alactic) and endurance (I make these hard - if it's not 2 hour on hilly course it's more like marathon pace or even up to 1/2 pace). I think this is better than basically the same thing most days - which is always medium-hard instead of Hard/Easy/Hard (different system stressed)/Easy.

Just my ideas, but by no means is your kid doing anything 'wrong'. Encourage some longer races and Good Luck!

Should be fine ... maybe have him mix it up a bit. 6/7 and 11/12 just to have some variety and add a longer long run (12 - 14 miles), which doesn't have to be a hard effort. During the break, I usually did a couple of 10 mile - half marathon type events (solid effort, but not 100%) to have some variety and people to run with. I did this during HS between XC and through indoor track. Ran similar times ... could have done better, but was always running 800/half, mile, 2mile and/or 2 mile relay. Given my decent base, I was able to run 2 - 4 events at each meet and score points for the team. RE: Pace .. and variety. If you can rein him in a bit, it might be worthwhile to slow the daily run pace a bit and add more miles. It is tough to rein in HS guys. Also, slow day / moderate day adds some variety. I didn't figure out the easy run pace until I was a sophomore/junior in college.Anyhow, sounds like he is on the right track, even if he doesn't change anything.Personal Brag: In HS, my team took 2nd at the state indoor track meet, with only two of us scoring points. Basically, a sprinter who did long jump and me who did 880 - 2mile.

B. Ummer wrote:

The kid I'm talking about pretty much does 10 miles on the regular (6:45-7:30 pace) and occasionally drops to 7 miles once or twice a week. It's base phase post XC season now... Is this ok for December base running?