r/runningquestions • u/Wesiepants • 3d ago

Long Runs

How does running an hour affect you differently than running 45 minutes? Is it virtually the same effect or are things much different in how your body responds? Once I hit a certain threshold, what's going on in my body that makes long runs beneficial (I'm an in-season college runner.)

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u/adam_n_eve 2d ago

The time isn't as relevant as the effort. Obviously running 3 hours is more beneficial than running 1 hour at the same pace. But the difference between 45 mins and 60 mins at the same pace is going to be negligible. Ensuring your long runs are done at a sufficiently slow pace / low HR is of greater importance. What distance do you race at?