The Science of the Long Run

The long run is a staple of any ultra marathon training plan, but there is also the ‘longest run’.

The longest run is ‘the big one; that is meant to test your physical and mental stamina leading into your target event.

However, there remains a debate over the duration of either run what is long?

I have attempted to throw some science at the concept to see if I could figure out some appropriate recommendations for runners of all abilities.

We have two reasons to complete a ‘long run’ during ultra marathon training.

1: Physical

2: Mental

Physical is the obvious reason for completing a long run, but it is also important to be mentally prepared for the duration you are going