Definition of this term "strength"?

not "strong" wrote:

I was looking though a few old WorkOut Wednesday videos and seemingly every athlete is perpetually coming off a "strength" period, leaving them in monster over-distance shape but rusty on the speed end.

I've never really known what is meant by strength, and I even recall others on letsrun looking for a comprehensive answer. One would assume it has very little to do with actual strength (like squats and benchpress) and more with 10k-to-threshold-pace fitness/durability and maybe some hills thrown in and good long runs or something along those lines. I'm interested in what others think.

What is a "strength phase"?

What paces or energy systems would be emphasized in a "strength" workout?

thanks

Endurance. Exp: "Peter Snell was a far slower sprinter than his 800 meter rival George Kerr, yet he always outkicked him because of his superior strength."

In the context of distance running, the word "strength" is used as a synonym for "aerobic endurance." This is, of course, an egregious misuse of language. "Strength" is correctly associated with muscular torque, not aerobic endurance.

Excellent question. I've been meaning to bring this up on this board too. I come from being a running fan who played other sports. I've gotten very confused about the "strength" definition.

In distance running terms, strength refers to everything that allows a runner to run fast times except physical strength. It's actually about the most confusing word for what runners are trying to say.

In the true sense, strength should refer to physical strength, like the rest of the world uses it. This type of strength can make you have a faster top end speed. Sprinters focus on this type of strength.

Distance runners can build "strength" by:

- Increasing aerobic capacity

- Increasing anaerobic threshold

- Increasing fitness

What distance runners mean by strength is that ability to remain strong in the later stages of a race. "Keeping an aerobic bias" is probably more accurate, but "strength" just sounds cooler I guess.