The Best Runners Prioritize Easy Runs
Why you should fight the urge to push yourself every run
If the workout wasn’t exhausting, was it even worth it? This is a question I have routinely fielded over the past 10 years of treating runners. It follows a similar thought process to ‘no pain, no gain’ and both mindsets are problematic.
You do not need to push your body every workout to see results. It will actually hurt your progress while also increasing your injury risk.
Don’t believe me? What about elite and world-class runners?
How the best train
A 2021 study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research examined how different types of training affect the performance of elite and world-class long-distance runners during their early years in the sport. The study involved 85 male runners who provided data on their best running times and the types of training they engaged in over periods 3, 5, and 7 years. The goal was to determine which training activities had the most significant impact on their performance.
The runners participated in various training activities, including deliberate practice (DP) activities and non-DP activities. Deliberate practice typically involves setting specific goals, receiving feedback, and making continuous…
