is it ok to stop during long runs for like 10 mins, or is it better to run the whole time
is it ok to stop during long runs for like 10 mins, or is it better to run the whole time
Probably the most beneficial to run the whole time...
At end of the day it won't really matter. If you're stopping for water or to take a bathroom brake don't worry about it.
What's your definition of long run? (i.e. 1 hour or 2+ hours) For example, 10 minutes total break time during a 20 miler for food, water, bathroom stops is no big deal... but 10 min break in the middle of a 1 hr run might be a bit long.
Food???
Depends on the purpose of the run.
If it is just a slow get-the-miles-in thing, sure take a break.
But if you're trying to run 12 miles at marathon pace for your marathon then taking a 10 minute break 6 miles into those 12 miles is not exactly ideal. Makes it more like a long interval workout with full recovery.
I'd stop in the summer to give my dog water. Been running alone and not stopping since she died 2 years ago, and I'm not seeing a big difference in my overall training results. I guess the 3-5 minute breaks weren't making a huge difference.
Food???
Ezekiel bread wrote:
At end of the day it won't really matter. If you're stopping for water or to take a bathroom brake don't worry about it.
Break.
That would make it a double
I think it's okay to stop if you need to use the restroom, hydrate, or stretch, as not doing so can cause problems. 10 minutes seems a bit excessive though. Usually I'll make sure everything is taken care of before going out for a run, especially when I'm incorporating some kind of workout into it, where I'm not gonna want to stop. But you gotta go when you gotta go....
Another confused runner here wrote:
Food???
Actually, it is called "fuel". Many runners are known to carry their arms much higher when they run so that they can effectively shovel food/fuel in their mouth as they run.
Small stops are not a big deal. The idea is to work through your fuel sources, get time on your feet and trigger various hormone releases. All of those things happen even with small breaks.
I live in Florida and had to train through the summer for my fall marathon. On about half of my long runs, I would do loops from my house so that I could jump in my pool and cool off some and then put on dry clothes since my socks and shoes would be soaked even after 6 miles because of the heat and humidity. I would say that my breaks would last 5-10 minutes each (and I typically took two breaks per run when I took breaks). I felt no less well prepared because of that than when I didn't take any such breaks.
Are you an elite? If not, do whatever you want. It won't make that big a difference one way or another. Who cares if you run 32:00 or 32:15 for your next 10k?
Elites are not taking 10 minute breaks on their long run - unless nature calls.
Highly successful program used to run for 2 hours but split into 45-45-30 min segments with 5 min water breaks. Did 16-18 miles that way. Seemed to work. Loop idea from house is a good one.
Small breaks can prevent injury. They give your joints a break. Same concept applies to broken up tempos. Same or similar aerobic stress, keeps your legs fresher so you can stay healthy and run a bit faster/smoother/more efficient.
Makes no difference. May even improve your performance. Bill Rodgers stopped to tie his shoes and ran a 2:09:55. Ernst Van Aaken recommended frequent walking breaks so that you could complete longer distances.
Ultimately, try it and see how it works for you. If it doesn't, then don't stop. *shrug
No, and an 8-hour break is fine as well. I didn't like long runs more than once a week, so I ran doubles and am confident that it didn't affect my results.
No you should not stop for 10 minutes. If you had to stop briefly that's no big deal. But the way you asked the question indicates you want to stop just because you're tired.
oliver3900 wrote:
is it ok to stop during long runs for like 10 mins, or is it better to run the whole time
psychologically , it is not a good practice to stop during long runs.