In an article with Runners World, Pamela Geisel, MS, MBA, CSCS, PCES, RRCA Run Coach, Exercise Physiologist and director of Performance & Wellness Services at HSS, explains that aerobic and anaerobic fitness serve different roles for runners. Aerobic fitness supports endurance and steady-state performance, while anaerobic fitness powers short, high-intensity efforts. Geisel emphasizes that a well-rounded runner benefits from both: combining speedwork and strength training enhances performance, helps prevent fatigue, and builds a balanced foundation for distance running.

Whether you identify as an anaerobic or aerobic athlete also depends on what you tend to enjoy more in training. Geisel said. “Can you go out and crush a high-intensity interval (HIIT) workout and feel empowered or would you rather go out and run five miles? Most people would say that one of those sounds fun and the other sounds like more torture,” she said. 

Read the full article at runnersworld.com.