Time vs Mileage

Soooo...I received my plan from my coach and he has EVERYTHING in time. I hate time. I hate running for time. I like going out and knowing that if I'm running 4 miles, where I get to turn around and head home. When I run on time, I have no 'end point' except that I on a 30 minute run, I'm turning around at 15 minutes. The other thing I hate is the range: 30 - 45 minutes. Tell me either 30 minutes or 45 minutes - not a range. I don't do ranges. It will bother me  BEYOND belief if I hit say, 35 minutes, because I have up to 45 minutes on my plan. This is for the same reason I can't run an 'off' number. In other words, for example, the final mileage has to read: 3.50 or 4.00 - not 3.27, 3.55, etc. It will drive me crazy. Yes, I am OCD..this will be my focus on my run and not the actual run..focusing on the time and watching my watch. Ugh.

My question: can anyone explain to me the benefits of time vs mileage and the benefits of a range? Go..

Okay, here's one big benefit: Motivation.

The first time you go out for a timed run, it feels weird. The mileage when you're done is an odd number. But as you improve, you notice that the number gets bigger. If you run the same route, you turn around a little farther out than the time before. The more you do it, the farther you go. So even in the middle of the run, you get a real sense that you're getting faster, 100 extra feet at a time. That's powerful motivation, even on a 30-45 minute run.

Another benefit: Time management. You never have to stress about taking too long on a run. You know exactly when you're going to be back home. If you have a busy schedule, that can be a huge relief.

Last benefit: Healthier training. Running by time lets you plan a regular progression over the course of your training. But it also lets you adjust each run to the proper level of stimulus for how you feel that day. Some days, you may be dragging. You run less, and that helps prevent burnout and injury. Some days, you feel peppy. You run farther, but still stay in the guidelines your trainer set up.

Give it a try. I have a feeling you'll like it.

Mark B wrote:Okay, here's one big benefit: Motivation.

The first time you go out for a timed run, it feels weird. The mileage when you're done is an odd number. But as you improve, you notice that the number gets bigger. If you run the same route, you turn around a little farther out than the time before. The more you do it, the farther you go. So even in the middle of the run, you get a real sense that you're getting faster, 100 extra feet at a time. That's powerful motivation, even on a 30-45 minute run.

Another benefit: Time management. You never have to stress about taking too long on a run. You know exactly when you're going to be back home. If you have a busy schedule, that can be a huge relief.

Last benefit: Healthier training. Running by time lets you plan a regular progression over the course of your training. But it also lets you adjust each run to the proper level of stimulus for how you feel that day. Some days, you may be dragging. You run less, and that helps prevent burnout and injury. Some days, you feel peppy. You run farther, but still stay in the guidelines your trainer set up.

Give it a try. I have a feeling you'll like it.

Excellent! Thank you Mark - that was what I was looking for. Martin had stated the same things, and I wanted to throw it out to my running buddies and get their input. I am WILLING to try it on time, as you guys have made some good points. I can always switch to mileage at a later point, I am sure, if I don't ultimately love it.

I wonder in part, if he did it this way because my goal is to PR in a 5K? :-/  

I'm sold..for now. I will give it a try. Thank you Mark (sorry I sound like a petulant child).

So I sense Mr. Schuey is not the coach?

No, I run a lot runs on time i.e. I'm going to run for an hour - and if my goal is an easy run, I'm pissed if it was 7 miles and not 6.5.  I don't care for ranges either, but I've learned to go for the minutes that fit with how I feel given a different day and the purpose of the run, and then the stress is off if I only run 35 of the 30-45 min range.  Mark stated it best, and you can do it - OCD or not.  See you in a couple of weeks, and that 10K we are supposed to run - well it might be 55-65 min 

And if you need to be OCD about it (and I can totally respect that), simply get OCD about the time.

Case in point: I knew *exactly* when to turn around to get the right total time on my time-driven runs, even building in a little time for a second-half fade. I'd hit the stop button as close to the targeted stop time as close as humanly possible. Even if it meant walking 100 more feet without the timer on, because it'd mess up the nice round number. (Told ya I respect OCD.)