The 3 groups identified in these programs are Level I, Level II, and Level III. Although each program will specify in greater detail the recommended running background, here are the general characteristics of each group: Level I - Low mileage runners. This means that you:
Level II - Mid-mileage runners. This means that you:
Level III - High mileage runners. This means that you:
Maintenance Program - Low to mid-mileage runners. This means that you:
As you can see, the Levels are based on objective criteria and have nothing to do with ability but, instead, with helping you find a training schedule that will allow you to accomplish your goal(s) given your recent running background while also minimizing your risk of injury. The question you must ask yourself is: what is the highest mileage I can most healthfully and realistically maintain given everything else that's going on in my life? You can't do everything, but you can do anything you desire if your life is in balance. |