Changes

While the Long Run is a core part of training for endurance races, there is relatively little scientific evidence available. A 2007 review study had a number of recommendations for long distance runners, but none around the Long Run<ref name="Midgley-2007"/>. This entry summarizes the evidence I have been able to locate.

A study of 315 marathon runners evaluated the factors that are correlated with reported 'Hitting the Wall'. The length of the longest run but not weekly mileage was correlated hitting the wall<ref name="BumanBrewer2008"/>. Further analysis showed that a longest long run of 20 miles or less increased the chance of hitting the wall by 50%<ref name="BumanBrewer2009"/>. Note that for these studies the definition of 'hitting the wall' was up to the subjects; they just had to consider themselves as having 'hit the wall'. While this lose definition has issues, the correlation is still useful as it indicates the runner has significant issuesencountered problems. Of particular interest is that the length of the longest run is the only training metric that correlated with 'hitting the wall'. This correlation may include physiological factors as well as physiological ones.