Runner's Training Tips: Beginners Help: Running for Time Vs. Running for Distance

I am just starting to become interested in running and have been reading random info on the web and on mapmyrun. I read many things about running for time, as in 30 minute runs with 3 minutes jogging with 2 minutes walking, or something like that. But what sounds much more appealing to me is running for a distance, for example starting by running mile, then work to running 1.5 and then eventually 2, ect ect.

My real goal with running is to just be more healthy and more importantly, have a healthy hobby. As i said, distance sounds more appealing because I like having easy to map goals and see results in how I feel after making that run.

Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks in advance,

Skyler Loomis

In general....put distance before time.  Then when you start to target a few races....start to work on time.   The best thing to do is get your longest distance run over 5k (get it to 4 or 5 miles).  Then run a 5k as best as you can....but aim to finish.  This will be your baseline.  Then you can start working on improving that time.....with a few tempo runs....while simulaneously upping your long runs to start considering 10K's.

Don't worry about your distance, just run for time. 

Here's the thing - your body doesn't recognize whether you have ran 5 miles in 60:00 or 10 miles in 60:00, your body recognizes you ran 60:00 at X heart rate, which is where physiological adaptations come from. If you REALLY want to tell people you ran X amount of miles, then go find a mile loop somewhere and run it several times at an easy pace on a normal day. Find out what your average is (say it is 9:00), and then count every 9:00 you run as a mile. 

If you train to run say two miles, then you are gonna be tempted to go out and beat your time from yesterday, which will probably inhibit your recovery, cause injuries, and leave a sour taste in your mouth.

You don't get more mentally or physically from running for distance rather than time. Read my post above - your body doesn't care how far you run, it isn't as if your legs have some kind of odometer on them that clicks every time you run a mile. Your body just realizes you are applying a certain amount of stress for a certain amount of time.

As for the mental aspect, that is debatable. If you want to brag to your friends and tell them that you ran two miles today, then yea, sure tell em all you want. But if the reason you are getting into running is to brag to all of your friends how far or how fast you went (which in this person's case, it isn't - see above), then maybe you should consider a different hobby, because what you are doing in that case is showing off Type A personality tendencies.

The question posed wasn't how do I properly train to race [insert whatever you like here] distance, the question was concerned primarily with the easiest way to get started running. Although, I would argue that even if you are trying to train for a particular distance you shouldn't worry about how far you run except on possibly long runs (so you could know you can make it whatever distance you are training for) and on track workouts.

"I believe the question was should I run x amount of miles or y minutes." -chiggyxc

that is exactly what i'm asking!

Thanks for all the advice everyone.  i now have a lot to think about.  So another quick question, what purpose does mapmyrun have if you are not using it to plan out routes to run? 

Until I read all of this I was trying to increase my distance along with time running without having to walk.  For example, I was going the distance of 1 mi. running 3 minutes, then walking 1.  Then i was going to up it half a mile and try running 4 minutes.  so from what I'm gathering from all of this is I should continue that, but instead of doing it for 1 mile, do it for 30 minutes (random number).  Is that a fair assumption of what is being said?  

Honestly its really up to you at this stage. Do whichever is more satisfying and gives you a sense of accomplishment because thats the one that will get you out there the next day and the next.

Hi, I'm new to running, too, but I've been working out at the gym for a while, including with a trainer, I learned to run for time, too.  I started out being able to jog for just about 6 minutes intervals at a time and now I'm up to over 30 minutes (I started off with exercising b/c I quit smoking--6 minutes seemed like hours!)  That's pretty motivating for me--being able to say I can run for 5x as long as when I started a couple months ago!

 As far as this:"Thanks for all the advice everyone.  i now have a lot to think about.  So another quick question, what purpose does mapmyrun have if you are not using it to plan out routes to run?"

I use it to check out elevations.  It's amazing how what seems flat in my car can present some serious challenges on foot!