Ed StivalaEndurance Sport Coach — Sports Science & Performance Education

#fitafter50 #triathlete #triathletelife #running #cycling Endurance Event Training

22 Jan 2024 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:57

In this brief coaching clip, the speaker argues that the notion of "junk miles" does not exist for endurance athletes. He emphasizes that time spent on low‑intensity, Zone‑2 training—long, slow runs and rides—is valuable and should not be dismissed as wasted effort. The speaker cautions against turning an easy session into a hard one, noting several disadvantages to doing so. He offers a practical definition: "junk miles" are miles performed at a higher intensity than intended, not miles that feel too easy. The overall message encourages athletes to stick to the planned intensity, especially when the goal is easy, aerobic work.

Chapters

So junk miles, no such thing. Controversial opinion, but absolutely not. If you're an endurance athlete, then time on your feet, low zone 2 type training is ideal. So if you have a particular session in mind, then that's, that's great, but just going out for long slow rides, long slow runs, Perfect way of training. A lot of people seem to think unless they're smashing themselves and they come back loaded with endorphins, then it was a waste of time. But actually, going too hard when you're supposed to be doing something that's relatively easy, a lot of disadvantages to doing that. So if you want a definition of junk miles, then miles that were harder than you intended to do would be more of a definition than miles that were perceived to be too easy. See you later in the week.