Why Summer Miles are Important adapted by Coach Moorhead, 6/2010
If you want to have a fun and fast fall cross country season, putting in a solid base of summer running is essential. Without it, you won’t run anywhere near your full potential in your fall cross country races and those would have, should haves, will creep into your mind.
Your racing potential is greatly determined by the solid base of running you do over the summer. Running summer mileage has dozens of physiological benefits including developing your maximal oxygen uptake, improving your heart’s ability to deliver an adequate blood supply to your running muscles and greatly enhancing your muscles ability to process oxygen and store and utilize glycogen for fuel.
Trying to be a 3-month wonder may have worked for you when you were much younger, but reality is most likely you’ll spend the entire season just getting aerobically fit. Your races won’t even be close to what you could have done if you did your summer base running. Think of it as simple as this...Summer mileage strengthens your muscles, tendons and connective tissue....cool huh?
So...what to do...how bout this...begin solid and continuous paced distance running from June through August. While it's only an hour out of your "busy" life, it will be the most important training you'll do this summer. Yes, believe it...this will get you prepared for cross country and also your "other loves"...winter and spring sports!!!
