I started running 4 miles in the morning and 8-10 in the afternoon. Is that 4 miles still significant enough to give me some improvement or is it too little? 4 is the most is can do in the morning given my schedule (and too get good rest too)
I started running 4 miles in the morning and 8-10 in the afternoon. Is that 4 miles still significant enough to give me some improvement or is it too little? 4 is the most is can do in the morning given my schedule (and too get good rest too)
My feeling is that anything over 20 minutes or so is beneficial.
sub_3_is_the_goal wrote:
My feeling is that anything over 20 minutes or so is beneficial.
This is what Jack Daniels said either in one of his books or in an interview. I don’t remember which.
Johnson12332 wrote:
I started running 4 miles in the morning and 8-10 in the afternoon. Is that 4 miles still significant enough to give me some improvement or is it too little? 4 is the most is can do in the morning given my schedule (and too get good rest too)
Yes, you are getting a benefit. You would get a benefit even if it was less than 4 miles. Doubles are good. Do what you can. Don't feel you need to do some minimum amount. Just run twice a day as often as you can as consistently has you can and you will get a benefit. Even 20-25 minutes would be good if that is what you had time for. Consistency is key!
Your time would be better spent hitting the books.
Yes.
I should probably start doubling again myself.
Johnson12332 wrote:
I started running 4 miles in the morning and 8-10 in the afternoon. Is that 4 miles still significant enough to give me some improvement or is it too little? 4 is the most is can do in the morning given my schedule (and too get good rest too)
Depends on your level/how long you've been doing it. Nick Willis removed his doubles and said it was a great decision he made, he said the 4 miles won't do much for his fitness anymore on his level and he can use the time for recovery or to spend with his family.
But if you don't already have 10-15 years of high quality aerobic conditioning, even a 3 mile double can go a very long way. There are numerous benefits - you make the afternoon run/workout feel better/easier, and you recover faster as long as long as you keep it easy effort. It also allows you to run slightly faster than on a single 12 mile run, if you do 4+8. So unless you really need the time like Willis and already maxed out your aerobic system, go for it!
And Willis is doing great after he stopped doubling:
"Turns out Rome provided the answers he needed. Willis, for the first time in his vast career, was spat out the back and tailed home a distant last in 13:56.94, 31 seconds behind the penultimate finisher."
Any running is good running, so take what you can get. Yes, take what you can get.
malmo wrote:
Any running is good running, so take what you can get. Yes, take what you can get.
+1
Doubles are beneficial if you are running 70 miles a week and it seems you are.