North Royalton Chiropractor Explains: Why More Miles Won’t Always Make You Faster 

Why Higher Mileage Isn’t Always the Answer in Marathon Training

When it comes to marathon training, there's a common belief that more miles equal better results. You’ve probably heard runners boast about hitting 60, 70, or even 80 miles a week as if it's a badge of honor. But here’s the truth: higher mileage isn’t always the answer to better performance. As a  runner and chiropractor serving runners in the Greater Cleveland area, I’ve seen firsthand how this mindset can lead to overtraining, burnout, and injury.” 

My Personal Journey with Mileage Obsession

I’ll admit, I fell into the high-mileage trap myself. When I was training for my first Boston Marathon, I was convinced that hitting certain mileage benchmarks would guarantee success. I thought more miles would mean better fitness, faster times, and a stronger race day performance. What I didn’t realize was that I was pushing my body beyond its limits, sacrificing recovery and proper care just to meet an arbitrary weekly mileage number.

The result? Constant fatigue, recurring sinus infections, and ultimately, a stress reaction in my tibia just three weeks before the race. I had run the miles but neglected everything else my body needed. That experience taught me an important lesson—it's not just about the miles; it’s about the quality of those miles and how well you recover from them.

The Problem with Higher Mileage

There’s no denying that mileage is an important part of marathon training. But there's a fine line between building endurance and overloading your body. Here are some reasons why higher mileage isn’t always the answer:

1. Increased Risk of Injury – The more miles you run, the greater the risk of overuse injuries like stress fractures, tendinitis, or plantar fasciitis. Your body can only handle so much repetitive motion before something starts to break down.

2. Recovery Suffers – Running more miles means less time for your body to recover. When you’re constantly pounding the pavement without giving your muscles, joints, and tendons a chance to heal, you’re setting yourself up for burnout or injury.

3. Quality Over Quantity – High-mileage weeks often mean sacrificing the quality of your workouts. You may feel too fatigued to hit your speed workouts or run strong during your long runs. Running slower or half-hearted miles just to hit a number won’t necessarily make you a better runner.

4. Neglecting Other Important Aspects of Training – Marathon success is about more than just running miles. Strength training, mobility work, and recovery practices are just as crucial, yet they’re often the first things runners skip when trying to squeeze in extra mileage.

How to Train Smarter, Not Harder

In my chiropractic practice in North Royalton, I work with runners throughout the Cleveland Area to create training plans that emphasize balance. Running is only one piece of the puzzle; the rest comes from how you care for your body between runs. Here’s how you can focus on training smarter, not just harder:

1. Incorporate Cross-Training – Mixing in low-impact activities like cycling, swimming, or even strength training can help build endurance without the wear and tear on your body. These activities support your running by building overall fitness and allowing your body to recover from high-impact miles.

2. Focus on Quality Workouts – Instead of adding miles just to hit a weekly total, focus on key workouts like long runs, speed sessions, and tempo runs. These help you build strength, speed, and endurance without overloading your body with junk miles.

3. Prioritize Recovery – Recovery isn’t just about taking a rest day. It's an active process that includes things like proper nutrition, hydration, sleep, and recovery treatments. In my practice, I offer services like chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and Normatec compression therapy to help runners recover faster and stay injury-free.

4. Listen to Your Body – One of the biggest mistakes runners make is ignoring signs of fatigue or injury because they’re chasing a specific mileage goal. If your body is telling you to back off, listen. Skipping one run or cutting back mileage for a week won’t derail your training, but pushing through pain can lead to injuries that will.

Finding Your Mileage Sweet Spot

The key to marathon training is finding the mileage that works best for you. Some runners thrive on high mileage, while others do better with fewer miles and more emphasis on quality and recovery. It's all about listening to your body, recognizing what it needs, and adjusting your training accordingly.

If you’re unsure about how to structure your training to avoid injury or burnout, I can help. At Modern Motion Chiropractic, we take a holistic approach to running, focusing not just on your miles, but on the entire picture of your health and performance. Whether you need help with recovery, injury prevention, or personalized training adjustments, we’ve got you covered.

Remember, running more miles won’t automatically make you a better runner. Smart training, recovery, and personalized care will.