Bothersome Question..Help Please

[Mastiff1]

When i started off runing i use to run two miles at a speed of 3.5 and it took FOREVER, now as months pass im running 2 miles at 6.0 but i do it in a pretty short time.

My questions is this:

I physically cant run anymore than id o now because my body just cant handle it(bad shins,back,feet etc.) but whats better? is two miles really just two miles? is it a better workout if i run it faster at a shorter time or run it slower at a longer time?

Any advice would be great since this question drives me crazy. I feel running longer and slower is a better workout for some reason but i hate having to run 2 miles that slow. Im also at a peak in my weight loss i went from 230 pounds to 188 and seem to be at a dead end.

 

[maleficent]

The best workout is the one that your body can sustain over time... the one that doesn't burn yourself out...

In my perspective... the purpose of cardio is to exercise your heart... and raise your heart rate... and keep it raised for a certain amount of time...

 

[Steve]

It all depends on your goals.

If you're training for speed endurance, pushing the anaerobic threshold is a good idea.

If you're training for endurance, more lower intensity, longer duration stuff is a good idea.

In most cases, all actually, it's not an either/or proposition. A blend of higher intensity and lower intensity stuff is best.

 

[Mastiff1]

well im just trying to loose about 5 more pounds and cut my stomach up a bit more...

i guess what im saying is should i run for time or a distance? i.e 15 minutes at 3.5(slower) or 8 minutes at 5.5(faster) but still covering the same mileage.

What would be a better workout to drop a little bit more weight , and shred my stomach more?

 

[Steve]

Probably not going to make a big difference at all.

And nothing is going to specifically shred your stomach up.