How many miles per week must you run to be considered a "Serious" runner?

The correct answer is always "one more".

Not the mileage you run, but how many posts you make on LetsRun per week.

The fewer, the better.

The correct answer is however many miles the person reading this thread runs.

To me a serious runner is someone who run at least 5 days a week and has a structured training plan. That means they have a long run and at least one workout per week. Mileage wise, it depends on the distance they are training for. For a half/full runner, I would say they average an hour per run. Maybe 50 miles per week. Ability wise, to be considered a serious runner, I would say qualify to Boston.

Givetallugot wrote:

Maybe 50 miles per week. Ability wise, to be considered a serious runner, I would say qualify to Boston.

I'm 38 and I've never qualified for Boston, falling a minute short last fall. However, 2 years ago I ran 17:30 in a 5K which I think is decent for my age. I'm better at shorter races and I'm always finishing in the Top 5 in every local race. Big fish, small pond.

Before I started running, I heard about people running 40 miles a week and I always thought that was impressive.

Similar to this question is "How long does it take before you having the right to call yourself a 'marathoner' expires?"

People that know me and know I used to run marathons (it's been probably 10 years I think), call me (or introduce me to others) as a "marathoner" or a "marathon runner", like "he runs marathons" or "he's a marathoner". To me, that expired a LONG time ago. But people who don't run seem to have this weird impression that once you've run one, as long as you still run, you are always able to run one at any time. I run, but attempting a marathon right now would be brutal and likely a failed attempt.

Mileage doesn't matter too much. It's more about your dedication for running over a long time.

If you are not running for at least 5 years you are not a serious runner. Actually I would rather say, 10 years.

If you just run, as long as your times are getting better you are not a serious runner as well.

It's all about dedication.

If you think you're a serious runner, then you are a serious runner.

70mpw

This is such an arbitrary question. To me you have to have a training plan and a goal with a minimum of 5 days of running per week (preferably 6)

Mileage wise I would argue 30. Then again I run around 30 now and consider myself far from a "serious runner"

I imagine if you graphed the running population, even excluding non runners, there would be a fairly precipitous drop off after about 15-20 miles. I know some runners who do 3 2-3 milers a week and consider themselves serious runners because they run 15 5k’s a year. However 10 miles per week probably isn’t a serious runner. I’d say more than miles the question is how much time per week do you spend running? Are you getting up early or staying up late? Are you sacrificing other activities to run? Are you having to prep meals and clothes etc. to be able to complete your week? You’re probably a serious runner if you run enough that it alters your life in some way.

Stem cells wrote:

70mpw

Brazier runs about 35mpw, i would still consider him as a serious runner though.

I'll ask Dr. Drew and get back to you.

Variable. Depends on who is doing the considering.

I think of my running before 60-70 mpw as 'not serious'. It's not about the miles though. I hardly had any structured training before that. I didn't even bother with such thing as 'miles per week'. Looking back at MapMyRun logs from that time, sometimes I would run 80 out of the blue and then be back to usual 30-40-50. Go figure.

I consider my teammates who run 20 mpw as much of runners as I am on 70 mpw.

I would guess that "serious runner" mileage starts where the average Joe finishes, anyone can jump off the couch and jog a mile. 3rd grade girls can run a mile without stopping.

My guess is that the average person would struggle at 3 miles a day. If they tried that daily you would be at 21 miles. So that is the bottom.

I also like the fact that someone mentioned structured training for races. Critical in regards to being serious. We arent talking about fitness running. at least 2 hard runs a week.

So in short:

21+ miles a week (every week, no exceptions)

at least 2 workouts a week that the average person cant do.

CoronaCurious wrote:

The correct answer is however many miles the person reading this thread runs.

+1 this guy spends more time on LR then running

You are off your game! More isn’t better. I qualify for Boston on 25 miles a week with a weekly long run between 12-16miles . Thanks Hal Higdon! I use the extra time to drink beer, eat donuts and post on Lets Run. BQ is so yesterday. Qualifying for NYC, Berlin or the Olympic Trials is a better way to distinguish the serious runners from us HobbyJoggers.