Should 80% of your runs be easy?

The 80/20 Rule: A Key to Optimal Running

For runners who strive to achieve their full potential, the 80/20 rule offers a scientifically backed approach to training. Developed by renowned coach Arthur Lydiard, this principle suggests that approximately 80% of a runner’s weekly mileage should be completed at an easy pace.

Benefits of Easy Runs

Easy runs, typically performed within lower heart rate zones, serve several vital purposes for runners:

• Increase Endurance: By maintaining a comfortable pace, easy runs allow the body to adapt and become more efficient at utilizing oxygen. Over time, this increased endurance translates into improved race performance.
• Facilitate Recovery: Easy runs provide an essential opportunity for muscles, tendons, and ligaments to recover from more intense training sessions. This reduces the risk of injury and allows the body to fully repair itself.
• Enhance Fat Utilization: Running at an easy pace promotes the body’s ability to burn fat as fuel. This helps spare glycogen stores for high-intensity efforts during races and training.

Integrating Intense Sessions

While the majority of weekly runs should be easy, it is important to incorporate one more intense session. This session, often referred to as interval training or tempo run, challenges the runner physically and improves fitness. These sessions typically involve running at a higher intensity for shorter periods of time.

Balancing Intensity and Recovery

The 80/20 rule emphasizes the importance of balancing intense workouts with easy runs. By following this principle, runners can avoid overtraining and maximize their long-term performance gains. Easy runs provide a foundation for improvement, while intense sessions stimulate adaptations that enhance race-day performance.

Conclusion

For runners seeking to achieve optimal results, the 80/20 rule offers a valuable framework for training. By dedicating approximately four out of five weekly runs to easy pacing, runners can build endurance, facilitate recovery, enhance fat utilization, and avoid overtraining. By integrating a single intense session into their weekly routine, runners can complement the benefits of easy runs and accelerate their progression towards their running goals.