Got a question about running? You’re in the right place. Every Tuesday, world-renowned coach, author and athlete Hal Higdon posts and answers athlete questions here. You can submit your question by joining the discussions on Hal Higdon’s Virtual Training Bulletin Boards.
QUESTION
None of your training programs have long runs over 20 miles. Do you recommend against running over 20 miles in training?
HAL’S ANSWER
It’s not so much “against,” but more “why?” Based on my own experience, I don’t see a lot to gain from going much past 20 miles in training – unless you are an ultramarathoner. Could you improve your fitness and/or tolerance for longer runs by doing more than the three 20-milers that serve as the limit even in my Advanced 1 and 2 programs? Suppose on consecutive weekends, you ran 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and then 26 miles. I would not anticipate a major improvement in your aerobic capacity, thus your ability to turn a fast PR. I hate to scare everybody, but looming over your head would be the specter of overtraining, or even an injury that may have been prevented if you stepped off the road or trail at mile 20. If someone with 5-10 marathons under their belt wants to experiment with longer long runs, fine – I’ll get out of their way. But I don’t endorse 20+ running.
