just want some opinions

Jul 31, 08 - 2:33 PM

What do you consider high mileage?

I consider anything over 60mpw high mileage. Anybody else agree?

Also, I feel 60-80mpw is the best range for any SERIOUS local competitor. Anything less than 60, you are short-changing yourself. Anything more than 80mpw ... well, you might need to get a life (unless you know without a doubt you have a shot at a professional contract).

These numbers exclude Olympians and top college runners.

Chris Wadas

Jul 31st, 2008 - 2:38 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

You can still have a life running 80 miles a week. I run between 75 and 80 all on single. I just get out in the morning and get it done with one run.

Laurel

Jul 31st, 2008 - 4:23 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

60 mpw would definitely be high mileage for me. Even in my "prime" competitive days a decade ago, I could probably count on one hand the number of times I exceeded 60 miles in a week.

"Anything less than 60, you are short-changing yourself."

Well, I think it depends. Some people can't physically tolerate high mileage, so any value gained from additional mileage would be offset by injuries. Also, someone training for a marathon is obviously going to need to run higher mileage than someone training for a 5K/10K.

From my perspective as an old fart

I think one of the mistakes some young runners make is trying to hammer out too much mileage when their bodies aren't quite strong enough to handle it. I'm thinking mainly of HS runners (boys and girls). The insidious part is that you don't realize it was a mistake until it's too late and the persistent injuries start cropping up during or after college. Some youngsters can handle high mileage, but in my experience they are the exceptions rather then the rules.

Doc

Jul 31st, 2008 - 5:15 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

Ryan Hall has a life and he probably runs like 17 miles a day and like anything the more time you put into the better runner you can be so I commend people who go out there and run long distances everyday to better themselves and meet their goals in life.

TD

Jul 31st, 2008 - 5:30 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

About having a life outside of running:

I consider running and my mileage having a life. Work, family, house maintinence and repairs would be considered my "life," but the running makes all the stresses more managable. I need my run every day like a dog needs a walk. I'd go crazy without it.

60 mpw would be high volume for me. I've rarely gone over 60, but usually stay in the 30-40 mpw range.

Jesse

Jul 31st, 2008 - 5:35 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

Mileage is irrelevant. Your body adapts to stress over time not mileage. It probably takes Chris Wadas the same amout of time per week to run 80 MPW as it takes me to run 60 and it probably takes Ryan Hall the same amount of time to run 110 MPW as it takes Chris to run 80. The energy expendure is similar while the imbact stress is exactly the same considering runners strike the ground about 180 steps per minute REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. So your condition- that is your running ecomony, ability to handle certain paces at certain effort values *is what dictates your weekly mileage* not the other way around. Too often runners try to pull their condition up through sub optimal volume and get injured. Trust me I know.

Something to think about!

Laurel

Jul 31st, 2008 - 6:11 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

Excellent point, Jesse.

Mike Montagna

Jul 31st, 2008 - 8:48 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

I consider 50 mpw as high mileage.

just want some opinions

Jul 31st, 2008 - 9:31 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

Chris Wadas,
I agree with you 100%. You indeed have a life, and run very fast times. If you read my post, I said runners doing over 80mpw. When I said this I was referring to runners who are in the 90's and 100's for weekly mileage.

Doc,
I think maybe you only read the first couple sentences of my post, or you really need some comprehending skills. I said, "These numbers exclude Olympians and top college runners." Ryan Hall's job is running. He's an Olympian for crying out loud!! He already "made it." He doesn't have to work 40 hours a week. THIS thread was designed to poll LOCAL, WORKING runners on what they feel is high mileage. Let's leave Ryan Hall and the rest of the professional runners outta this. Thanks.

Jesse,
I agree with also. Time is a crucial component to what is considered high mileage. Doing 60mpw @6:00 min/mile pace and doing 60mpw @10:00 are drastically different time wise. For a slower, rec runner, this might take too much time, and interfere with one's life (spouse, children, job, leisure, etc).

drk

Jul 31st, 2008 - 10:03 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

Is this like if I drive my car 100,000 miles at 35 mph its low mileage and if I drive it at 65 its high mileage?

just want some opinions

Jul 31st, 2008 - 10:14 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

I can see why so many arguments occur on this board. NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO READ!! HAHAHA ... Well, they know "how to" read, but they don't understand the point.

A crucial component to what is "high mileage" is the time on your feet. High mileage takes time, and it takes a longer time for someone running their miles slower. Do you understand drk??? Drk, here. Think of it like this. Runner A does 10 miles @7 min/mile pace, and Runner B does 10 miles @8 min/mile pace. Which runner takes longer to run 10 miles?

willamona

Jul 31st, 2008 - 10:29 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

Anyone that runs more miles than I do, is high mileage. And i am slackin' in the heat.

Becki

Jul 31st, 2008 - 10:56 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

High mileage is relative. An age-grouper 5K runner doing 80 mpw might be considered "high mileage," but that same 80 mpw might be considered low mileage for a good marathoner.

I also don't think there's a "best range," because it varies for everyone. Some people do better with fast, low mileage. Other people thrive off higher, slower mileage. Plenty of people do less than 60 and do fine off that, and either end up wrecking their speed or getting injured above 60. Above 80? Well, I'm not getting a professional contract, but there are plenty of weeks that I do well above 80. Do I need a life? Depends on your point of view. When I'm training seriously, running IS my life. And I think it's that way for every serious competitor.

Mike Montagna

Jul 31st, 2008 - 11:07 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

Wow, good debate here. I don't think there really is a right answer. But if there was I would bet there probably would be some type of scale based on averages. Much like the one posting about car mileage. Average being what 12,000 a year any vehicle over that is considered high mileage. Hey just a thought, don't shoot me.

Aldo

Aug 1st, 2008 - 10:29 AM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

The orthopoedic surgeon I saw for one of my stress fractures asked if my mileage was over 40 MPW. He said that was the benchmark of a high mileage, serious runner.
Maybe someone else involved in medicine can share what they consider what a high mileage runner is?

Justin - NRC

Aug 1st, 2008 - 10:43 AM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

I think another factor that needs to be looked at is age range. Someone who is over 60 years old probably won't be able to handle the mileage of someone younger. Of course there are exceptions to this, but speaking just in generalities. Same with younger kids, not being able to handle what older individuals can. High mileage can mean a lot of different things to different people. It would be interesting to see if there are any charts out there that reflect age vs. mileage in training for the same events and to achieve the same times.

Jake Kanavy

Aug 2nd, 2008 - 7:54 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

I would not think of going 80 miles a week however that has nothing to do with having a life. If you were to take 90 minutes a day to run than you should eaisily reach 80 a week. Now tell me that you don't spend at least an hour and a half a day lying around or wasting time. Plus if you run at 6 am than you would be hom,e before most people even wake up!

Goldberg

Aug 2nd, 2008 - 10:11 PM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

100mpw

Kyle

Aug 3rd, 2008 - 7:53 AM

Re: What do you consider high mileage?

I've been thinking a bit about this since I am always on here saying how important mileage is. Does the lable "high" really matter? I don't think it matters what we call high or low mileage. I doesn't benefit us at all. It's all relative anyway. The key is to get our butts out the door and log as many miles as we can!

Author	Comment
just want some opinions Jul 31, 08 - 2:33 PM	What do you consider high mileage? I consider anything over 60mpw high mileage. Anybody else agree? Also, I feel 60-80mpw is the best range for any SERIOUS local competitor. Anything less than 60, you are short-changing yourself. Anything more than 80mpw ... well, you might need to get a life (unless you know without a doubt you have a shot at a professional contract). These numbers exclude Olympians and top college runners.
Chris Wadas Jul 31st, 2008 - 2:38 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? You can still have a life running 80 miles a week. I run between 75 and 80 all on single. I just get out in the morning and get it done with one run.
Laurel Jul 31st, 2008 - 4:23 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? 60 mpw would definitely be high mileage for me. Even in my "prime" competitive days a decade ago, I could probably count on one hand the number of times I exceeded 60 miles in a week. "Anything less than 60, you are short-changing yourself." Well, I think it depends. Some people can't physically tolerate high mileage, so any value gained from additional mileage would be offset by injuries. Also, someone training for a marathon is obviously going to need to run higher mileage than someone training for a 5K/10K. From my perspective as an old fart I think one of the mistakes some young runners make is trying to hammer out too much mileage when their bodies aren't quite strong enough to handle it. I'm thinking mainly of HS runners (boys and girls). The insidious part is that you don't realize it was a mistake until it's too late and the persistent injuries start cropping up during or after college. Some youngsters can handle high mileage, but in my experience they are the exceptions rather then the rules.
Doc Jul 31st, 2008 - 5:15 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? Ryan Hall has a life and he probably runs like 17 miles a day and like anything the more time you put into the better runner you can be so I commend people who go out there and run long distances everyday to better themselves and meet their goals in life.
TD Jul 31st, 2008 - 5:30 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? About having a life outside of running: I consider running and my mileage having a life. Work, family, house maintinence and repairs would be considered my "life," but the running makes all the stresses more managable. I need my run every day like a dog needs a walk. I'd go crazy without it. 60 mpw would be high volume for me. I've rarely gone over 60, but usually stay in the 30-40 mpw range.
Jesse Jul 31st, 2008 - 5:35 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? Mileage is irrelevant. Your body adapts to stress over time not mileage. It probably takes Chris Wadas the same amout of time per week to run 80 MPW as it takes me to run 60 and it probably takes Ryan Hall the same amount of time to run 110 MPW as it takes Chris to run 80. The energy expendure is similar while the imbact stress is exactly the same considering runners strike the ground about 180 steps per minute REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. So your condition- that is your running ecomony, ability to handle certain paces at certain effort values is what dictates your weekly mileage not the other way around. Too often runners try to pull their condition up through sub optimal volume and get injured. Trust me I know. Something to think about!
Laurel Jul 31st, 2008 - 6:11 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? Excellent point, Jesse.
Mike Montagna Jul 31st, 2008 - 8:48 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? I consider 50 mpw as high mileage. Email: runnepa@aol.com
just want some opinions Jul 31st, 2008 - 9:31 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? Chris Wadas, I agree with you 100%. You indeed have a life, and run very fast times. If you read my post, I said runners doing over 80mpw. When I said this I was referring to runners who are in the 90's and 100's for weekly mileage. Doc, I think maybe you only read the first couple sentences of my post, or you really need some comprehending skills. I said, "These numbers exclude Olympians and top college runners." Ryan Hall's job is running. He's an Olympian for crying out loud!! He already "made it." He doesn't have to work 40 hours a week. THIS thread was designed to poll LOCAL, WORKING runners on what they feel is high mileage. Let's leave Ryan Hall and the rest of the professional runners outta this. Thanks. Jesse, I agree with also. Time is a crucial component to what is considered high mileage. Doing 60mpw @6:00 min/mile pace and doing 60mpw @10:00 are drastically different time wise. For a slower, rec runner, this might take too much time, and interfere with one's life (spouse, children, job, leisure, etc).
drk Jul 31st, 2008 - 10:03 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? Is this like if I drive my car 100,000 miles at 35 mph its low mileage and if I drive it at 65 its high mileage?
just want some opinions Jul 31st, 2008 - 10:14 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? I can see why so many arguments occur on this board. NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO READ!! HAHAHA ... Well, they know "how to" read, but they don't understand the point. A crucial component to what is "high mileage" is the time on your feet. High mileage takes time, and it takes a longer time for someone running their miles slower. Do you understand drk??? Drk, here. Think of it like this. Runner A does 10 miles @7 min/mile pace, and Runner B does 10 miles @8 min/mile pace. Which runner takes longer to run 10 miles?
willamona Jul 31st, 2008 - 10:29 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? Anyone that runs more miles than I do, is high mileage. And i am slackin' in the heat.
Becki Jul 31st, 2008 - 10:56 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? High mileage is relative. An age-grouper 5K runner doing 80 mpw might be considered "high mileage," but that same 80 mpw might be considered low mileage for a good marathoner. I also don't think there's a "best range," because it varies for everyone. Some people do better with fast, low mileage. Other people thrive off higher, slower mileage. Plenty of people do less than 60 and do fine off that, and either end up wrecking their speed or getting injured above 60. Above 80? Well, I'm not getting a professional contract, but there are plenty of weeks that I do well above 80. Do I need a life? Depends on your point of view. When I'm training seriously, running IS my life. And I think it's that way for every serious competitor.
Mike Montagna Jul 31st, 2008 - 11:07 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? Wow, good debate here. I don't think there really is a right answer. But if there was I would bet there probably would be some type of scale based on averages. Much like the one posting about car mileage. Average being what 12,000 a year any vehicle over that is considered high mileage. Hey just a thought, don't shoot me. Email: runnepa@aol.com
Aldo Aug 1st, 2008 - 10:29 AM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? The orthopoedic surgeon I saw for one of my stress fractures asked if my mileage was over 40 MPW. He said that was the benchmark of a high mileage, serious runner. Maybe someone else involved in medicine can share what they consider what a high mileage runner is?
Justin - NRC Aug 1st, 2008 - 10:43 AM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? I think another factor that needs to be looked at is age range. Someone who is over 60 years old probably won't be able to handle the mileage of someone younger. Of course there are exceptions to this, but speaking just in generalities. Same with younger kids, not being able to handle what older individuals can. High mileage can mean a lot of different things to different people. It would be interesting to see if there are any charts out there that reflect age vs. mileage in training for the same events and to achieve the same times. Email: nrcbuyer@epix.net
Jake Kanavy Aug 2nd, 2008 - 7:54 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? I would not think of going 80 miles a week however that has nothing to do with having a life. If you were to take 90 minutes a day to run than you should eaisily reach 80 a week. Now tell me that you don't spend at least an hour and a half a day lying around or wasting time. Plus if you run at 6 am than you would be hom,e before most people even wake up! Email: JKcool262@aol.com
Goldberg Aug 2nd, 2008 - 10:11 PM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? 100mpw
Kyle Aug 3rd, 2008 - 7:53 AM	Re: What do you consider high mileage? I've been thinking a bit about this since I am always on here saying how important mileage is. Does the lable "high" really matter? I don't think it matters what we call high or low mileage. I doesn't benefit us at all. It's all relative anyway. The key is to get our butts out the door and log as many miles as we can!