What does it mean to be a strength vs speed vs aerobic-based runner (or other types ?), and how does optimal training for each distance differ for each type?
how do you know what kind of runner you are, what distance you are best suited to and how to optimise your training based on your type?
obviously trial and error is helpful but are there overall useful guidelines?
teach me the science wrote:
What does it mean to be a strength vs speed vs aerobic-based runner (or other types ?), and how does optimal training for each distance differ for each type?
how do you know what kind of runner you are, what distance you are best suited to and how to optimise your training based on your type?
obviously trial and error is helpful but are there overall useful guidelines?
It means jarring grammatical incorrectness because unlike strength and speed, “aerobic” is an adjective. Unless you mean a runner with an aerobic bottom, that is.
Strength based runners have a deep lactate threshold from high volume training. Speed based runners have natural talents - i.e. they are taller and stronger than you with a long, fluid stride. Compare kipchoge vs daniel komen. For strength based runners to become world class distance runners, they need to work on their foot speed and strength conditioning. For speed based runners to become world class distance athletes, they just need EPO
teach me the science wrote:
What does it mean to be a strength vs speed vs aerobic-based runner (or other types ?), and how does optimal training for each distance differ for each type?
how do you know what kind of runner you are, what distance you are best suited to and how to optimise your training based on your type?
obviously trial and error is helpful but are there overall useful guidelines?
I remember it as counterintuitive. If someone said strength vs aerobic you would think speed based vs person with great VO2max. It's the opposite. Strength based is used strangely enough to not mean strength based. It tends to be used for that person with a great aerobic ability and VO2. Usually the runners with less strength ironically.
Strength based runners are very good at threshold type work, tempos, long intervals etc. They have a good understanding of maintaining an sense of pace. What they lack in foot speed they make up for in aerobic power.
Speed based distance runners have fast foot speed and usually can close races a lot harder. They tend to struggle in tempo runs but really thrive off of fast interval sessions like 200s and 400s. These are your true mid distance type guys and will usually be fast 800-milers.
Both a strength based and speed based runner can run a fast mile, but the approach to getting these has to be different. The speed based runner is going to rely off of their 800 speed and explosive finishes while the strength based guy will rely off of their 3k 5k strength and consistent pacing.
5YearNcaa wrote:
Strength based runners are very good at threshold type work, tempos, long intervals etc. They have a good understanding of maintaining an sense of pace. What they lack in foot speed they make up for in aerobic power.
Speed based distance runners have fast foot speed and usually can close races a lot harder. They tend to struggle in tempo runs but really thrive off of fast interval sessions like 200s and 400s. These are your true mid distance type guys and will usually be fast 800-milers.
Both a strength based and speed based runner can run a fast mile, but the approach to getting these has to be different. The speed based runner is going to rely off of their 800 speed and explosive finishes while the strength based guy will rely off of their 3k 5k strength and consistent pacing.
Wow, it took to the 5th comment to have a good answer. I'll add to it slightly, strength based runner runs fast for a certain distance because of their good endurance, speed based runner runs it because they have a high potential in a shorter distance, so they can back off a large percentage to run that same time, so they're more controlled. Think of an 800 meter runner who runs 1:55. Two types of people might run 1:55, a 9:00 3200 runner would be strength based runner who runs 1:55. The speed based runner might be a 49.5 second 400 meter runner. Knowing a person is a strength based runner or speed based runner lets you assume how they might translate to a different distance. Similarly, a 4:00 miler who is speed based may only run 14:20 for a 5k. But a strength based 29:45 10k runner might also run a 14:20 5k but only capable of a 4:10 mile.