For long distance running events like the marathon+, muscle endurance and fatigue resistance are far more important to continually develop than top-end speed.
Muscle endurance is the ability of your body to sustain repetitive muscular contractions over a long period of time, while fatigue resistance is the ability of your body to resist physiological breakdown. If you think about the repetitive stress your body endures when you run a marathon+, you can imagine why expanding upon these two qualities is crucial for finish line success.
My top choices for training techniques that improve muscle endurance and fatigue resistance are:
1. Heavy Strength Training - Ideally on the same day as a run.
2. Strides mixed into regular easy runs and/or after long runs.
3. Hill Repeats after long runs.
4. Zone 2 Hiking or Biking for 45min+.
These 4 techniques have been the bread and butter of my ultramarathon training for years - and I’ve never felt like I had to stop or walk because my legs were tired.
It doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.
For guidance on how to be better prepared for your next race, click here to schedule your free consult!
