When looking through plans based on mileage, they usually say something like- "This plan is for runners who have been regularly training at xxxx mileage".
Does "training" in this case mean you have been running this mileage structured, with regular speedwork/interval/long runs/etc.? Or could it be off a more "base-building" approach (mostly easy miles)?
Looking for training plan- question
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You know, I think that's a good question. In college, I was instructed by my XC coach to build up to a certain mileage (I don't remember what) over the summer in order to go from 400m track season to 8K XC. Not knowing any better, I did 100% easy runs at 8-9 min pace -- which was the best I could do given the huge increase in mileage. Then, when team practices began in late Aug & early Sept, I was thoroughly pummeled by the weekly schedule. It was not more mileage, but I was completely unprepared for the 3 workouts per week. Heck, even the group easy runs at 7-8 min pace were too much. I ended up constantly sore & exhausted, had a terrible season, and didn't try it again.
Probably the answer to the question is that the mileage prerequisite is a minimal, general suggestion, and that each individual should assess themselves as to whether any particular program will work for them.