Do you run for speed/distance/time and why?

as a beginner runner I'd like to know what you all do...

Do you run for speed, distance, or time? and why?

I am a C25K graduate and have really become fond of my runs.  However I am wondering if I am making the most out of them.  I am looking to burn fat, as I am not yet to "goal". 

Does it matter at this point if I am running for speed, distance or time?

Right now I run 2-4 miles 3/4 times a week, just recently I started to work more on my speed (thus cutting back on the distance) going from 5.8 to 6.8 on the treadmill, hoping this would help kick this stall that I'm in.

any thoughts?

thank you : )

I have set specific goals for this year which have me focusing more on distance first and time.  I do work in some speed but not a great deal.  For me I have to prove to myself that I can finish a race be it a 5K, 10K or whatever.  I know I will never be the fastest person but I know I am also not the slowest and as long as I cross the finish line I am cool with that.

my typical run week is
Mon 5K
Weds 60 minutes
Friday speed intervals or a Brick.

Hi Paul, you look great BTW :)

please explain what a brick is? and what type of intervals you do?

thanks again :)

Brick is a Triathalon based workout where you go from one element straight to the next.  Right now I typically do a 10 mile spin followed immediately by a 30 minute run.  You can also do a swim followed by bike.  I haven't done a Tri yet but am working my way towards one.

My intervals are I run .4 miles at a speed above my standard 5K pace.  I then will slow down for .1 mile and then increase .2mph above what my previous was.  I do this for 30 minutes.  Looks something like this

.4 Miles @ 5.1
.1 Miles @ 4
.4 Miles @ 5.3
.1 Miles @ 4
.4 Miles @ 5.5
.1 Miles @ 4
.4 Miles @ 5.9
.1 Miles @ 4.

yes, yes, and yes.  different workouts use different tactics and depending on your goals you could incorporate all three in your training regimin.  for example, when i was training for the goofy challenge in january, i ran three days a week.  each run had a specific purpose,

the first was speed work.  it would either be 3 mile repeats for speed with 60 to 90 seconds rest between miles or 30 minutes of HIITs (high intensity interval training) where i would do 10 intervals of jogging for 2 min, and sprinting for 1.

the second was a tempo run for an hour where i would attempt to run at 110% of my marathon pace.

the third was the long run and would be a distance run that varied depending on my training schedule, but peaked @ 20 miles.

if you are looking for fat burn... high intensity intervals are really effective! best of luck.

What he said. I do all three and for the same reasons.

I never run more than 2 hours in training though.

Wow!  Your first sentence is quite decieving!  You're hardly a 'beginner runner' with stats like that.  I have just completed the C25K with my first race on Saturday.  I'm just running for distance (albeit short distances) now.

Hoping to hit 30 minutes on Saturday.

Continued success to you.  Maybe one day I'll catch ya.

Chad

I just run from the fat guy who is always chasing me down (in my head).

Bill is correct about running for what your goal is. If you are still focusing on losing fat then do HIIT or shorter runs at max effort. The longer runs don't help a lot when trying to lose because they make you very hungy for the rest of the day. The shorter more intense runs will pull energy directly from fat stores.

HIIT? does that mean high intensity interval training?

what would that look like?

sorry if this is a redundant question

Yes
It would be a 30-60 second all out sprint followed by a slow jog or walk for a minute or 2. Repeated as many times as you can. Just be carefull when you start it .... you'll be sore in places you didn't know you had!