re: Explain it to me like I’m 5 - Running edition

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ks_nola

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I hate to keep comparing to biking, but in that world it is FTP. The definition is what range of power output could you hold for one hour on your best day. Theoretically, this would be very tough, faster/harder than your training, but able to be completed. I guess something comparable would be certain race times when you're running. A 10k would be good, as that can be completed in usually under an hour for experienced runners. If you're used to jogging a 10 minute pace for 45 minutes to an hour a few days a week, the race time would be how fast can you get it done without stopping to walk any stretches. Something you can benchmark and repeat maybe 3-4 times a year to measure progress. This is where the shorter speedier runs come into play. I get it, running can be long and boring, especially doing Z2 training. But that push to challenge yourself and beat your previous time, if all you do is run that same 10 minute pace every run, you will eventually get a little faster at distance, but not like running faster for a half hour or so each week when your main focus is running faster.