Okay, so I want to build up to 50mpw from practically zero

The 10% rule doesn't apply when you're that low. I'd add one mile per regular run and two to the long run per week. Maybe take a step-back week after 3, if you feel like it. You should be at 50 within about 6 weeks, no sweat.

Do 5 mpw increase until 5 equals 10% (50 miles). Then you can increase by 10% if you want to keep going.

Just jump in and do it. This week. F--k the 10% rule.

I have gone from 0 to 70+ miles in one week, multiple times. It's not that hard, but prepare to be a bit tired and sore.

CAVEAT: Don't try the above method if you're a high-schooler or have never run 70+ miles a week.

Jagmo wrote:

Do 5 mpw increase until 5 equals 10% (50 miles). Then you can increase by 10% if you want to keep going.

If you aren't prone to injury this is the way to go. However, if your legs start to feel dead, take a week and just maintain.

You ought to be able to ramp up to an easy 40 with nothing but soreness. Begin doubling with 4 easy a couple of mornings and you'll be up to 50+ with long runs no greater than 14mi. You won't be comfortable for 3-4 weeks. Slow and easy, lots of sleep.

Ramping up to anything more than 55 inside a month would be a naive pursuit of injury for most runners. Slow and easy, lots of sleep.

Thanks for the advice guys, I am 19 a freshman in college and I've never run higher than 50 so I should be good.

very doable: Ramping up to anything more than 55 inside a month would be a naive pursuit of injury for most runners.

Oh please,

Depends so much on the runner and his history. I have no idea why the OP or some respondents think this can be answered without a little context. Is this a beginner who's never been north of 25 MPW, or someone who cranked out 4000 miles in 2009 and cut way back a few months ago due to severe time constraints?

I'm with bumtard; my experience is similar. If the OP's looking to run the kind of mileage he's run in the not-terribly-distant past, and is uninjured and able to listen to his body even a little, I can't imagine why he'd need more than a week or maybe two to get there.

nsmb, old and slow wrote:

Oh please,

Depends so much on the runner and his history. I have no idea why the OP or some respondents think this can be answered without a little context...

... If the OP's looking to run the kind of mileage he's run in the not-terribly-distant past, and is uninjured and able to listen to his body even a little, I can't imagine why he'd need more than a week or maybe two to get there.

Haha - Yo man, don't give out the oh please then agree with me. The OP implied he was a college runner on summer break with his first post. I think most of the other comments including my own reflected that.