Happy Tuesday! It’s time for another edition of Tuesday Topics. This week’s Tuesday Topic: Do you prefer doing a short or long run?. Remember to link-up with Kim and Zenaida and the bottom of this post.
My thoughts on short and long runs have changed over the past few years. Since I have not “really” trained for a race since 2019, I have rarely done any long runs. If you would have asked me this question pre-Covid, I would have said that I preferred long runs because they afforded me the opportunity to execute my training and gave me long stretches of time to be alone with my thoughts. But now I am totally team “short run”. Most of miles now are between 2-5 miles and I actually like it that way. Here are a few reasons why I prefer short runs.
Less injuries
Let me be clear – I am definitely NOT saying that running more or longer causes injuries. For me, one of the advantages of not doing a bunch of long runs is having more time to devote to strength training. I am convinced that my emphasis on strength training has kept me injury free (knock on wood) for the past 2+ years.
Experiment with different types of runs
Because my runs are typically between 15-45 minutes, it gives me a great opportunity to try different types of runs. My favorite type of runs over the past few months have been HIIT runs because it allows for all out bursts of speed followed immediately by recovery. I’ve also done many more hills runs, which still suck, but I don’t hate them as much as I did a few years ago 🙂
Allows for more variety
Doing shorter runs has allowed me extra time to do more strength training and cycling classes. I am often surprised at how much I now love strength training and boot camp classes. I may never have discovered that if I was still training for half marathons and marathons.
Tell me: Do you prefer doing a short or long run?
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Excellent points, Kim!
I absolutely agree with you that strength training is crucial to stay injury-free.
Just the other day I read a post by one of my favourite health gurus (Mark’s Daily Apple) where he emphasized that the health benefits of HIIT training and short sprint workouts are far superior to those long runs.
As much as I love doing long runs for the headspace, I think once my long races are done this year, I will focus more on shorter runs in 2023.
I’ve also read a few things about the health benefits of HIIT training and it’s been so informative!
I don’t miss long runs right now, because there are other stressors in my life. And short runs are just so much easier to fit into my life!
That said, I do plan — someday — to run half marathons again. Hopefully by that time time will be more available. 🙂
I can totally relate Judy! Between work and other things, I just don’t have the time and/or energy to devote to long runs right now. I’m happy with my shorter runs for the time being 🙂
I do prefer the long run because it’s on the weekend and I am not rushed.
My short runs are squeezed in around work. Lately solo.
Just happy to be healthy.
Glad you are too. Once you sign up for races I bet you’ll doing those long ones again.
It can definitely be hard to squeeze in short runs during the week before work – I sometimes feel like this as well.
After I’m done training for this ultra-trail, I’m really looking forward to much shorter runs. Although I love how powerful I feel on a long run, I also feel all these long runs have taken a toll on me. Looking forward to keeping things short and sweet.
So true! I love the powerful feeling you get after a long run because you always feel like a badass!
I tried choosing between the short runs vs. long runs, and failed to pick a winner. Thus, the blog post failed, LOL. Seriously, I really like both short and long runs, and both have their own merits depending on where I am with my training or racing schedule. It seems like I’m always craving the other when I’m running…
It’s such a hard decision because both short and long runs have so many benefits!
All great points! I have to admit while I’m currently solidly on Team Short Run, I find I’ve really been missing running long (as you’ll see in my post today). I’m hoping to inch my way back to long runs over the next month.
Sometimes I miss long runs but I don’t miss waking up super early on Saturdays to do my long runs, lol.
I think Peloton got me in the habit of short runs. When I was training for longer distances, anything under 5 miles felt like a chore because it would be over so quickly. Now I’m all about fitting short runs in my day and calling it good!
I agree. Since a bulk of their runs are 30 minutes, that what I tend to do most often (with a few 45 and 60 minute classes thrown in too).
So, complicated question! What I consider a short run or a long run can change depending on my current race schedule and the weather. Right now my short runs are 6 miles and that feels very comfortable for me. I’ve never liked 5K races bc of their short distance and because I am not a super sprinter but more of an endurance runner. I generally take 3 miles or so to really get into my groove. Runs over 10 miles definitely feel hard to me. My happy place is probably 6-8 miles.
It’s such a complicated question! Right now I have no desire to do long runs but that may change over time. I know that fitness will ebb and flow so right now I’m enjoying the shorter runs.
Excellent points, but I still miss my long runs. “I am convinced that my emphasis on strength training has kept me injury free” – I couldn’t agree more!
It’s a hard decision because short and long runs both have a lot of pros and cons.
Great points here! I like short runs because they do not take too much time. But you are right that it leaves time to do other activities.
I do enjoy all the extra time I now have for strength training!
Ha ha, well anyone who’s read my whining and complaining blog posts lately will know that I prefer long runs! I’ll agree there’s something to be said for shorter runs as well (I guess I just like all runs.). Your points are all good- it’s good to mix things up with speed and hills, and I think most coaches would agree that less miles and more strength training will keep you healthy and injury-free. It’s definitely working for you!
Definitely pros and cons to both short and long runs, so it’s hard to pick a preference! Right now I know that I’m happier doing shorter runs as long runs might feel like a chore to me, lol.
Smedium!
Generally longer, but that’s because it takes me a while to get going. Mile one feels like six and I want to quit. But you say through 5m and I’d call 4/5 on the long end too. Whether it’s summer with anti chafe, sunscreen or winter with all the layers, it’s just not worth it to get ready to go out for less than3M most days for me. Would be different if I were going to the gym and could just hop on a treadmill, and I’d also do more of the 20m runs which sound great but the stack never quite works outside.
4/5 lets me do most of the Peloton runs and I can fit in 4 before work, generally. My jam is probably 7-8 miles, but that doesn’t happen before work
Why is the first mile always so bad?! No matter the length of my run the first mile always feels like torture, lol