If you could only run for about 3hrs a week, what event could you focus on?

Training Advice/Discussion General

5 years ago 06/19/2018 11:11am EDT

Since it's summer and I have ample free time, I've been running about 2hrs a day and lifting weights 4hrs a week.

I'm enjoying my summer to the max since i'm going to med school this fall and will likely only be able to sustain about 5hrs of total exercise per week.

I want to devote 3hrs or so to running.

I love running long distances but I won't have time to maintain my aerobic base during the peak of my studies. Is there something that I can get "good at" with about 3hrs a week?

I was thinking about getting good at the short distance stuff or maybe sprinting? Thoughts?

5 years ago 06/19/2018 3:25pm EDT

re: ad0c1111

On 3 hours a WEEK? Define “good”.

5 years ago 06/19/2018 3:31pm EDT

re: ad0c1111

You could realistically train for 400/800 type stuff. Shorter faster tempos/runs in general. Quick track session, lifting. If you have a big base built up you'll be fine.

5 years ago 06/19/2018 4:11pm EDT

re: ad0c1111

If you make it a priority, you can certainly run more than 3 hrs per week during med school. Getting out for an hour a day is totally feasible, especially during the first 2 years. I would try to keep up a bit more during med school because depending on your specialty of choice, residency is WAY harder.

5 years ago 06/19/2018 5:00pm EDT

re: ad0c1111

About 30 miles or so, add about 30 hours of cycling a week and be a pretty good cyclist.

5 years ago 06/19/2018 5:04pm EDT

re: ThatAverageRunner

Thanks for the replies guys.

My definition of good would be just being well above average locally.

When running volume is being reduced significantly like this but substituted for intensity, will my endurance eventually just erode or is it easier to maintain it rather than build it in the first place?

5 years ago 06/19/2018 5:11pm EDT

re: ad0c1111

ad0c1111 wrote:
Since it's summer and I have ample free time, I've been running about 2hrs a day and lifting weights 4hrs a week.
I'm enjoying my summer to the max since i'm going to med school this fall and will likely only be able to sustain about 5hrs of total exercise per week.
I want to devote 3hrs or so to running.
I love running long distances but I won't have time to maintain my aerobic base during the peak of my studies. Is there something that I can get "good at" with about 3hrs a week?
I was thinking about getting good at the short distance stuff or maybe sprinting? Thoughts?

Med school is not that hard. You have more time than that

5 years ago 06/19/2018 5:12pm EDT

re: ad0c1111

You can get good at sitting on your ass. There is no running event that you can get good at, in any meaningful way, running 3 hours a week. Anyone who says different is lying or ignorant. Of course running that much is better for your health than no exercise.

5 years ago 06/19/2018 7:38pm EDT

re: Doubter

In that case, maybe I should re-title it as; given only 3hrs a week of dedicated running, how would I benefit the most from it?

5 years ago 06/19/2018 8:47pm EDT

re: ad0c1111

1500 3000 based upon your enjoyment of 2 hour runs.

3 hours should be interesting to see how well you can do

I would continue with a 2 hour run every 2 weeks with the rest 45 minutes including warmup and 90

stuff like this:

90 45 45

90 90

120 30 30

with duration dictating pace/effort

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