Running Fast

I like to run hard. I like to run hard over long distances. I like to see how fast my body can go at different distances and in different conditions. I like to see how fast and hard my body can go compared to other people. I just like it. And that is one of the bigger reasons I run. What is fast to me is likely pathetically slow to many. And to some, my fast is super fast. But the point is, for me, it's enjoyable to push my limits. It's also enjoyable to figure out how I can get faster. I am not prejudiced against people who for run fun and fitness--who have no desire to go faster. I don't get them, but I was wrong to say I am prejudiced against them. Because I'm not. That was stupid. Sorry. However, I am prejudiced against people who believe that by running slowly (as in 2.5-3 minutes slower than one's marathon pace) for long distances almost all of the time, they will get faster, and they preach this approach like it's gospel. It's true one builds aerobic endurance by logging many, many miles, and to gain this endurance it is good to run conservatively so you can 1. run longer so that you can 2. build more endurance then you would if you had to put in fewer miles because of fatigue, and so 3. you can burn more of your fat than your available carbs and 4. to save oneself from the taxing nature of hard running so you can run again the next day and be consistent in your training and 5. so you can prevent injury and so 6. you can eventually run faster while maintaining a lower hear rate, and 7. you can chit chat comfortably with your friends while you run. I. Get. It. I also get that some people are able to get faster by building their aerobic engine to the point where they could literally run forever, and then they can add on a little pace running before a race and pull out a P.R. But I can't do that. I tried. And I know other people who have tried, and who can't do it either. I'm talking about this because I have pissed a few people off by saying I am prejudiced against people who just want to run for fun and fitness. I feel badly about that, because, as I stated before, it's not really how I feel. But I also want to clarify that the real beef I have is with people who advocate a certain way to train, and they act as if this is the only way, and any other way is for the impatient, the uniformed, and the cocky. I. am. informed. I repeat that. I am informed. I read a shitload about running. About triathlon. About swimming. (I admit I haven't read enough about biking, but I did just order six new books on biking and cyclocross from Amazon last night.) I read magazines, scholarly journals, I read books and blogs and tri/running websites and biographies. I read it all, basically because I'm a geek, but also because I like to be informed so I don't end up talking out of my ass about things when I haven't actually studied anything except for my own particular point-of-view. So, in short, I never meant to imply that I don't like slow runners, or runners who run, long slow distances. What I don't like is the high and mighty know-it-alls of the world who believe their way is the only way and treat you like you're an ignorant if you don't agree with them. That's what I don't like. Just to be clear. Here are a few articles for your enjoyment that go against the grain of what you may have been taught that I have found in the last few weeks. I'm not saying these articles are to live by or even to consider more than with just a passing glance, I just think they are interesting, and, importantly, they are CURRENT. That is, they have been written recently enough so that the research involved within is fresh. You can see I'm partial to articles written by Matt Fitzgerald. He is always just a step ahead, finding interesting tidbits that challenge common thinking about running, which is why I like his work so much. Pre-Race Breakfast Doesn't Matter Better to Go Barefoot Ibuprofen is Bad, Bad, Bad Running Makes You Smarter Cycling Bad for your Bones? Running Technique: Speed Work Can Help Eating Fat Ain't So Bad Don't Skip the Recovery Run