UA Team,
I am currently running on average ~75 miles per week with approximately 9k-10k of vert per week with peak weeks at ~90 miles with 12-15k of climbing per week.
My focus this season has been runnable ultra distance trail races (i.e. 50M with 8-10k of climbing). While there are occasional hiking stretches, I’m running 90%+ of the time. I’ve focused my training primarily on improving running economy (i.e. strides/pick-ups, flatter tempo runs), furthering aerobic development (long Z1/Z2 days), and Z3 uphill efforts (2×20 or 4×10 minutes) with some Z4 sprinkled in as well (2-5 minute repeats aiming for 15-20 minutes at intensity).
I’ve used the Muscular Endurance routines in the past when I was running lower mileage and/or didn’t have access to runnable climbing terrain. However, I’ve stopped using these routines and leaned into more vert and more miles. I’ll adapted versions of these workouts (higher weight, lower reps) once or twice a week.
I’m wondering if anyone has feedback for at what mileage/climbing threshold the Muscular Endurance routine no longer has a strong benefit. i.e. Is there a point for people at which running X amount of miles with Y amount of climbing negates the need for ME work? Or is keeping ME work a regular part of training still beneficial?
If there is such a point, does shifting to higher weight/lower rep strength training make the most sense or is there another approach that seems to be more effective.
I hope that was clear enough!
Thanks!
