Let's talk base miles and decent times!

What is a good base milage to have? And for which distances?

i.e. if you are running a 10k, what would be a good base to have vs. I am running a 50K what is a good base to have?

Also what is a decent time to aim for for a newbie vs. what is a good time frame for a vet?

i.e. running your first 5K vs. running your first Half marathon?

Any input would be great!

I think your question is almost impossible to answer except the base part. Speed comes with time... PERIOD! Speed also comes from having a good base. If your goal is to run a fast 5k... you will be doing lots of speed work /  intervals and having Ultra distance endurance will not really help you. However, if you have a great base, and do speed work, your longer runs will get faster over time. EVERYONE's ability is different, so focus on your Personal Best and do not compare yourself to others. Last year I had a goal of breaking 20 minutes for a 5k and did it... albeit on a treadmill, but I did it... I have yet to break 4 hours on a marathon, but I know that is coming soon...

ok, Let's talk base then.

So if someone is just starting out running and wants to do some 10k's what is a good base to have?

If someone is looking at doing a half marathon, what would be a good base?

In other words as you move up on the distance runs what should your base look like?

I.e. 5k - 3mile base?
      10k - 5mile base?
       15k - 7 miles base?
       1/2 marathon???
       Full marathon???
       50K - ????

Is there a site that lists kind of what you should shoot for base wise?

10K base... 5 miles at least

13.1 Half... 10-11 mile base

marathon... 22-24 mile base

People probably define base as something different, but I consider base as a distance I can run without stopping, regardless of speed...

Thanks Dan!  I was really wondering what I was going to need to build up to. I finally found the 1/2 marathon I plan on doing this fall but know I have a bit to build up before hand, thankfully I have plenty of time to do it slowly and avoid an injury if possible!

THIS IS THE POST I NEEDED! THANKS!

I am considering my "base" as the distance I can run without having to stop/walk. So far, that "base" is about 7.5 miles. I can run my 6.57 (so a 10.57K) without stopping, including the hills.

My longest run so far is 8.84 miles with four 30 second periods of walking/stretching the quads.  I am aiming to do my 8.84 mile route without any walking next time out (in 2 weeks). Even though a few days ago was my first 8.84, I noticed I shaved 2 minutes off my 5k route this morning.  So there is progress....

With all that said, I am working on increasing my base (distance without  walking), and figuring the faster pace times will just fall into place. 

My quickest 5K pace right now is 10:24...completed in 32:15.   Over 15 minutes faster than my Halloween 5K.  So for me, I am focusing on distance vs. speed play...(for now)

I second this!!

I was curious about base miles as well for longer events like the half.

As always, a wealth of knowledge -  thanks Dan!!

Hi Kathy! Your doing great!! I an do a 5k not fast but I can do it. I'm trying to work up that base mileage. Glad the post helped someone else as well! I have also been trying to work more on distance than speed. I figure that will get there eventually.

So I look at base miles differently.  Base miles are the total number you do in a week.  A lot of training plans start you off wherever that is.  It's important for 'feet time.'  I'm only around 12 or so base miles/week right now, but I'd like to be closer to 25 (4,4,4,10,3) by the end of the summer so I can think about marathon training again in the fall.  These are numbers I got from looking at some training plans - including the one for the NYC marathon (which I would LOVE to do one day).

My goal for my first 10k was to be under an hour.  I like my triathlon 5ks to be under 30 minutes.  I know I'm capable of a sub-2hr half, it just hasn't happened yet.  I also think I'm capable of a 4:30 marathon if my guts would cooperate.  I'm 44 now too, so that sets the stage a little differently.  Some of you younger gals/guys will be able to achieve those goals a lot faster than I can now.

Linn

The reason I look at base miles the way I do is because I can run 6 miles a day 5 x p/week and still get in 30 miles and destroy a 10k but be NOWHERE near ready for a marathon. However, I can run 1 run of 18 miles and 3-4  days of 3 miles p/day in a week, get the same 30 miles and be much better prepared for a marathon... It's all a matter of what you are training for...