All this talk about running Doubles?

Doubles allow you to increase total mileage without a direct increase in stress to the body (shorter runs = more recovery)

The first run of a double puts the runner in a glycogen depleted state and the second run is performed under this glycogen depleted state. This results in a greater adaptation by the body while trying to restore glycogen stores.

Useless at 60.

more later wrote:

Useless at 60.

Wrong.

I'm not going to start doubling until i'm over 60 mpw. Then again, I'm building up to about 85

Can anyone else confirm this?

Questioning Doubles wrote:

I am running 60mpw this summer, but my coach advised me to do it all on singles. That way, my endurance is built up and the fall can be for speed. But, I am seeing a lot of talk about running doubles here. Are there scientific studies on this or just what people personally think/feel when doing them? Also, if I were to do some doubles, when would be the best time during the week to do them?

Average Week: 13, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 7.

Thanks!

You're seeing a lot of talk about doubles here? I would think you'd see a lot of talk about doubles everywhere you look if serious runners are involved!

Actually, you'd see less talk and more action.

"Are there scientific studies on this or just what people personally think/feel when doing them? "

I'm not sure if this qualifies as a scientific study, but look at the results of nearly every world class runner. They run doubles in order to compete at the highest level.

Would you question a basketball player practicing free throws? "I see these people practicing free throws - is there a scientific study behind this or just what they feel like doing?"

The point being, sure there may be some science behind it, but you don't have to worry about that. It's common sense at this point. Basketball players should practice free throws and runners should run twice a day.

This thread pops up literally every other month. Here are some of the lengthier discussion:

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=1152836&page=0

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=1696694&page=0

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?board=1&id=2058435&thread=2058238

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?board=1&id=1341535&thread=1341329

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=3357482&page=0

I'm correct in thinking that doubles should always only add, never replace?

For example, I have a 7 or 8 mile run planned.

I should add 3 in the morning rather than splitting my run in two.

Get your miles in any way that you can.

Doubles just work - simple as that. And there's no minimum mileage either - if you're doing 60 mpw in singles, then you could be doing 70 mpw with doubles.

kjwe fjqhef wrote:

Can anyone else confirm this?

It's true. Discussed in this series of articles:

Yes, training in a glycogen depleted state leads to all kinds of advantageous adaptations for the endurance athlete. The problem with the assertion that doubles will automatically lead to this state is the fact that we all eat during the day. You run, eat breakfast, eat lunch, run, and eat dinner. Throw snacks in there, too and both runs of the day are followed by repletion from meals. Now, if you run long and/or hard in the morning and cause some amount of glycogen depletion, AND THEN DONT EAT for the day, your second run will come in a glycogen depleted state. Who the hell is going to do that?

Run doubles to help increase your mileage. If you're doing well (meaning injury free) on 60mpw in singles, don't break up that 60 mpw into 3 or 4 more runs. Start adding morning runs to increase the overall mileage. Simple as that folks.

Kenyans often run their first run @ 6 am then again at 10 AM. 4 hours is very little time for the body to absorb any nutrients. That is the secret to their training. Run doubles of triples - but close together in a 24 hr period.

tom waits wrote:

Doubles just work - simple as that. And there's no minimum mileage either - if you're doing 60 mpw in singles, then you could be doing 70 mpw with doubles.

Exactly. The choice is not between running 60mpw in singles or in doubles. The choice is between being able to run 60mpw in singles or more in doubles.

Queston wrote:

I'm correct in thinking that doubles should always only add, never replace?

For example, I have a 7 or 8 mile run planned.

I should add 3 in the morning rather than splitting my run in two.

Sure, you can replace. 4/4 rather than 0/8.

People seem to forget that there are 3 training variables: volume, speed, and frequency.

Questioning Doubles wrote:

Average Week: 13, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 7.

Thanks!

What is the common thought on doing 5 straight days of the same mileage? Is it better to alternate daily miles of 9, 7, 9, 7, etc, rather than running the same 8 miles every day? Even though they are all "easy" base miles, would you still try to alternate hard / easy?

Most of what i know im a dick said is correct, except for most of it. Puke.