How Long Should I Run?

If you are new to running or have been getting the itch to try a marathon, why not start off with a little history lesson? Did you know that the marathon made its debut at the first Olympic games in Greece in 1896? Only 17 runners ran the 24.8-mile race. Boston then started its famous marathon the year right after that. It wasn’t until 1924 that 26 miles became the worldwide standard distance for a marathon.

When getting into a more intense running routine, it can be hard to know how to go about it. How much should you run? How long should your runs be? To start out, your goals, your lifestyle and your experience will set the pace. You should aim to run at least three times a week. Different forms of exercise on the other days will only increase your strength and performance.

A weekly marathon program developed at Furman University involves one tempo run to develop intensive endurance, one that works on speed, and a long run to build endurance. It may be tempting to run every single day hoping that it will make you a better runner, but it is safer to build in days of rest to avoid many of the common injuries that can plague a runner. How long the run lasts depends on the goals you want to achieve or the race you are preparing for. A runner training for endurance should do one long run a week, and it should be from a quarter to a third of your weekly mileage.

Feet can take a beating if you are a runner. Keep them healthy and contact Houston Foot Specialists if you notice any pain or problems. It is recommended that you have regular feet evaluations by your podiatrist and should inquire about custom orthotics. You can make an appointment with Dr. Jeff Bowman by calling our office at (713) 467-8886 or by visiting us online.