Are there elite 1500m runners (sub 3’35) who run less than 60miles a week?

The answer is yes. But everyone is different. One mileage doesn’t fit all.

Makloufi and Willis

GrapeSon wrote:

Gjert wrote:

Mileage seems like a big thing for 1500m running (jakob, mcsweyn, cheruiyot etc run all 100miles or more a week), but are there also top elite guys who runn less?

Gjert said in a Norwegian running forum a couple of years ago that he was wary of elite 1500m guys who ran less than 150km a week over long periods of the year. He said he couldn't understand how thos guys could build the aerobic capacity to run close to 3:30 without doing that kind of mileage.

You mean Aerobic Endurance, not Aerobic Capacity.

It's easy to add 20 to 40 mpw of over distance running with minimal increased injury risk. Why would 1500m runners believe running less than 60mpw is beneficial?

Spraw wrote:

Gjert wrote:

Mileage seems like a big thing for 1500m running (jakob, mcsweyn, cheruiyot etc run all 100miles or more a week), but are there also top elite guys who runn less?

Colby Alexander (3:33) never goes over 60. But this is because he is extremely injury prone. He’s more like 40’s, maybe 50’s.

Sounds like Jim Spivey

Doug Padilla was more of a 5000 guy outdoors and indoors was a 3000/two mile competitor. He ran considerably less than 60mpw but his 1500 PR was only 3:37.95

SDSU Aztec wrote:

It's easy to add 20 to 40 mpw of over distance running with minimal increased injury risk. Why would 1500m runners believe running less than 60mpw is beneficial?

There are many middle-distance coaches who do not believe in mileage for the sake of mileage. Tacking on junk miles on a day they like to give their athletes off (Sunday for Muir, Willis, Reekie etc.) doesn't appeal to them. They also want to work them hard in the gym, race them frequently and give them a lot of high quality interval work. You might say minimal increased injury risk, but an extra 2-4 hours running a week is not nothing.

my two pennies wrote:

Lagat would peak around 60 miles during the base phase and run 40s-50s the rest of the year when he ran 3:26. He only got up higher than that when he started running the 5k (and even then peaked around 70 mpw).

Lagat was the one that came to mind for me as well.

vespy wrote:

my two pennies wrote:

Lagat would peak around 60 miles during the base phase and run 40s-50s the rest of the year when he ran 3:26. He only got up higher than that when he started running the 5k (and even then peaked around 70 mpw).

Lagat was the one that came to mind for me as well.

Lagat had incredibly efficient form so I don't think many other runners could replicate his success with similar mileage.

vespy wrote:

Lagat was the one that came to mind for me as well.

6 days of running a week and 55-60 mpw with Sundays off is really not that uncommon among high-level 1500m runners. You can quibble whether you think that maximizes what you get out of athletes, but it's worked for a number of the medalists in the Olympics/WCs.

GrapeSon wrote:

Gjert wrote:

Mileage seems like a big thing for 1500m running (jakob, mcsweyn, cheruiyot etc run all 100miles or more a week), but are there also top elite guys who runn less?

Gjert said in a Norwegian running forum a couple of years ago that he was wary of elite 1500m guys who ran less than 150km a week over long periods of the year. He said he couldn't understand how thos guys could build the aerobic capacity to run close to 3:30 without doing that kind of mileage.

Obviously cross-training can replace some of that but there is still a need for a sustained high volume.

Gjert should know that the key to running a fast 1500 on less than 150km a week is a Sub 48/Sub 1:45 speed which Jakob lacks

Gjert wrote:

Mileage seems like a big thing for 1500m running (jakob, mcsweyn, cheruiyot etc run all 100miles or more a week), but are there also top elite guys who runn less?

Aussie Jye Edwards rarely runs more than 60 miles a week. His pb is 3:33 something and 3:49 mile so if you have talent not necessary.