There are people who say, for example, that two 15 minute workouts will produce the same amount of weight loss as 30 minutes of continuous exercise and that several shorter workouts lower cholesterol just as much as longer sessions.

This thought process might make you think that you have no use for longer runs unless you are training for a marathon. This even might lead you to assume that you can split your long runs in half. For example, running 6 miles in the morning and 6 miles in the evening will reap the same training effect as doing a continuous 12 mile run. My belief is that this assumption is incorrect.

Long runs have great potential to improve your performance whether you run 5k's, 10k's, half marathons or marathons. When you even think about it when you focus on performance benefits you will find that a workout lasting 35 minutes or more is definitely better than two or more shorter sessions that add up to the same amount of time.

During a longer workout you recruit more muscle fibers, fire up fat metabolism and even experience higher heart rates than you would during a shorter effort. Long runs also increase your weekly mileage, which is good because higher mileage boosts your maximal aerobic capacity (max vo2) and it strengthens your leg muscles.

Long runs increase your endurance and your ability to run for longer periods without stopping. In closing, remember a 10 mile run will produce better fitness results than two 5-milers.

Paul Greer is an associate professor in Health and Exercise Science at San Diego City College and coach of the San Diego Track Club--the largest running club in San Diego.

                                        

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