To become a (complete) runner, requires concentrating on four major training components:

VO2max,
Anaerobic Threshold,
Aerobic Endurance,
Running Efficiency.

VO2max

This refers to the maximum volume of oxygen per kilogram of weight that a person requires in converting fuel to energy. As there is a direct correlation between oxygen usage and energy consumed, this represents the upper limit of energy available to an exercising muscle. This upper limit is largely determined by genetics, however training may increase it 20%. To achieve the upper limit, you will need to run fast.

Interval training is one method runners have used to improve their V02max. After warming up for ten minutes, you can perform intervals ranging from 2 to 8 minute durations. Running longer than this will mean you won't be running close to your VO2max, thus you won't stress your system.

After running near your upper limit for some time, your body will make adaptations and try and increase it.

Anaerobic Threshold

This is when the oxygen a muscle requires is no longer completely provided by the air that you breathe. Here your muscles switch from aerobic (with oxygen) to anaerobic (without oxygen) operation. Lactic acid begins to build up. You go into oxygen debt and if this cannot be corrected you stop producing energy and you stop running ! Pain is usually felt.

The switch over point is normally expressed as a percentage of your VO2max. The goal is to increase your anaerobic percentage. It usually varies from about 50-60% of VO2max for untrained runners to 90% of VO2max for elite runners. This is the speed that most long distance racing is done at. The key is to balance performance against lactic build up.

Training this system involves running right at this cross-over point. Most often this type of training is referred to as a time trial or tempo run. This type of training involves race pace running for between 20 and 40 minutes. A warmup and a cool down is required.

Aerobic Endurance

This refers to how well we utilise the fuel sources in our body for running. Generally, there are two main sources of fuel. The most efficient is glycogen (sugar) and the longest lasting is fat. We try and teach our bodies to conserve as much glycogen as possible while trying to become more efficient at using fat for fuel. Running fast uses almost exclusively glycogen as fuel while running longer than an hour must utilise fat.

Hitting the wall in a marathon usually occurs when our glycogen stores are depleted. In extreme cases, as our brains use glycogen for fuel, we can collapse and/or act confused. It pays to become better at using fat and learning how to conserve glycogen as much as possible. This factor is trained by running for long periods of time (+ hour).

There is an optimum speed to stress the system but the basic thing is to run for a long time.

Running Efficiency

Every runner wants to be able to run with an efficient form.

You want to minimize the muscle activity needed for movement and mimimize the oxygen needed for forward motion. All muscle activity should be focused on moving forward, not side to side or up and down. Keep the height of your feet above the ground only enough to move them forward. Keep rear kicks simple. Develop an optimum stride length and frequency (leg turnover rate). Relax your upper body. Use your hands and arms to help you maintain an even stride. Avoid bouncing from side to side. Think about your running posture and focus on correcting one thing at a time.

Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.

-Fariyal Samson, B.PE, B.Ed
© Women in Motion –Updated April 15.2006