Am I getting improving any aspect of my body physiologically? Its very easy for me (maintain a very low HR) and I don't get sore
Am I getting improving any aspect of my body physiologically? Its very easy for me (maintain a very low HR) and I don't get sore
Yes, but you should do some speed work and tempo running every so often. For example, look up Dr. Van Aaken training. He would have you do some shorter faster reps after that long jog.
I did the exact same thing, 13 miles at 10 min pace, up until I got injured. The running itself is pretty easy, but don't you get tired of all the jogging. After all, each run is like 2+ hours, which adds up to more than 14 hrs a week. As to your question, I think it just makes you have a lower metabolism- you can operate on fewer calories. I certainly didn't feel like a better athlete versus when I was doing lower mileage at faster pace (10 mile per run at 8 min). And problem with running so long is that I felt no drive to do any other physical activity the rest of the day- I'd just lie around. But hey, the jogging itself is easy and you still get exercise so I continue to do it.
EasyJogsOnly wrote:
Am I getting improving any aspect of my body physiologically? Its very easy for me (maintain a very low HR) and I don't get sore
Man does that sound boring.
Long , slow running increases your VO2 max (maximum oxygen uptake) and depending on your diet can result in a leaner, slimmer body (less body fat). However, such a training regime does not result in strength gains. I recommend varying your training somewhat. You should include some high-intensity cardio exercise as well as weight lifting and mobility work such as yoga.
That's one reason I stopped running. My runs started taking too long because I was too slow. I don't have the time to run for 2+ hours and when you include prep time and stretching it's 3 hours of your day wasted.
Good for you! Of course you're reaping solid, long-term benefits. That kind of moderation works wonders for the heart. Hopefully you just enjoy running for the sake of running and keep it up. All depends on what your goal is - some people don't have the time for long runs, sometimes we push ourselves a lot harder to come home a lot faster. But if you enjoy the long runs more power to you.
EasyJogsOnly wrote:
Am I getting improving any aspect of my body physiologically? Its very easy for me (maintain a very low HR) and I don't get sore
What are your race times? I was a 14:50 guy and 10-minute pace would have been too fast to walk and too slow to run. When my mom got old walking with her was too slow to walk and too fast to stand still.
You’re doing great! You are massively improving your aerobic base. You will be able to recover far more quickly from workouts, and be able to co duct harder workouts.
Mikeh33 wrote:
You’re doing great! You are massively improving your aerobic base. You will be able to recover far more quickly from workouts, and be able to co duct harder workouts.
You sou d like you k ow what you're talki g about.
Why? Do you have a goal or a purpose?
What percent heart rate are you at? Anything below 65% of max doesn't really stimulate you. Still, much better than being sedentary.
EasyJogsOnly wrote:
Am I getting improving any aspect of my body physiologically? Its very easy for me (maintain a very low HR) and I don't get sore
You are getting body improvements but what is your goal? If it's to become a better and faster runner then you can do so on less time per day. 90 minutes is a long run and you're doing more than that every day. Look up 5k training and do that if you want the body improvements that will make you a better runner.
I'm a student and have been using these jog sessions to study. It's a very effective use of my time but I can't run too fast or else it gets too hard to concentrate.
My Immediate goal is to lose some weight (5 ft 8 ; 152lbs) and then train properly on the roads at least a few lbs lighter and prep for a BQ.
I haven't run fast (for me, of course) since i trained for a half marathon where I got a 1:31 last May.
You're actually well overdone as aerobic fitness is concerned. Try running 5 miles a day x 5 days a week. That's still a bit too high but it's will still get you exceptionally aerobically fit. The new thinking is 15 miles per week is optimal. Anymore and you risk injury and oxidation damage.
Sounds good, I would throw in a fartlek or 2 while at it.
dfegsrfgserg wrote:
What percent heart rate are you at? Anything below 65% of max doesn't really stimulate you. Still, much better than being sedentary.
Man that 65% thing has been around for a while but I think it is misleading. And when you say it "doesn't really stimulate you", I must ask: Doesn't stimulate what?
I recall reading that your maximum LV contraction force is reached at 60-65 % MHR so it is assumed that you must reach at least that % to get maximum benefits for training your heart. Well running improvements aren't only about improving stroke force and stroke volume in your heart.
For example one of the benefits of long easy runs are to improve/increase your mitochondria and capillaries. There's also new evidence of more running related neural pathways being developed in your brain from these thousands of footstrike repetitions each day.
As others have pointed out if you ONLY run at such an easy pace, you aren't going to fully maximize your development as a runner if you are interested in running the fastest you can in races. But you certainly aren't wasting your time. And I wouldn't even be surprised if you are still running at 65% of MHR even at 10 minute pace given your half marathon PR.
Thus, for a 1:31 half marathoner, such as yourself, I don't think 10 minute pace is too slow to gain some benefits. Lasse Viren used to run 9 minute pace on many easy runs (he also ran faster aerobic runs too even during his base phase).
I was a bit excited to read the heading of this post but further into it I really question if its a serious post or not....
The runners in the article sound to be running more mileage than me and yet they are only eating 2000 calories a day? Sleeping a few hours?
I'm eating around 3000 a day and am in a 1000 calorie deficit, sleep on average 8.5 hrs a day and still don't feel 100% every day.
I dont think that anyone could survive that for more than a couple weeks before getting hurt
EasyJogsOnly wrote:
Am I getting improving any aspect of my body physiologically? Its very easy for me (maintain a very low HR) and I don't get sore
Read the history of LRC. That's how wejo set the 10,000m AR.
You might not be improving rapidly, but it’s bound to be very good for you. Keep it up! If you put in a solid year of that you will see great benefits.
91mpw easy and injury free. You certainly can’t complain. Maybe throw in some strides here and there if the mood takes you. Once a week you could do some 10 second uphill sprints just to get some leg turnover if you’re concerned about speed.
If you ever want to do some racing you could throw in 6-8 weeks of sharpening and probably do quite well.