The Aerobic System

Are you running in the grey zone or aerobically?

Why do so many runners overlook aerobic training when it is the most critical part of a training program? Because it is not sexy and its nothing to brag about on social media.

From distances 5km through to ultra, the aerobic system is far more important than speed. Even short distances like a 5km use at least 60% of energy from the aerobic system. Aerobic conditioning takes time to train; you can not buy it like you can the latest training watch or the best running shoes.

So, how can running aerobically or slowly help build your aerobic capacity and allow you to run faster? The answer is how the body converts fuel to energy, and we need to train our bodies to do this. You may have heard of the term Mitochondria; these are little powerhouses inside each of your cells. In the presence of oxygen, these powerhouses breakdown carbs, protein and fat into energy. How do you increase how many mitochondria you have? Aerobic training. Soooo more aerobic activity = more energy to run faster. Simply speaking, you breathe in, the body efficiently uses all the oxygen it needs to power the body, and then you exhale.

The hardest part of aerobic training is having the discipline to slow down; it may mean training on your own to keep low enough heart rate and not get caught up in a group. Remember, the sooner you get started, the faster you will be, make today the day you slow down!

Author – Head Coach Amanda Moore