The “Team” of heart, lungs, nerves, brain, etc.
Very often in professional sports, a group of very talented individuals is defeated by a group of players of lesser ability who play as a “team”. Each of the training elements in a 5K/10K schedule will help you to improve. But when you do them regularly, and blend them into a gradual progression, your overall capacity and performance potential is greater than that produced by the sum of the individual parts.
The heart gets Stronger – like any muscle, the heart’s strength and effectiveness is increased through regular endurance exercise.
The lungs – become more efficient in processing oxygen and inserting it into the blood.
Endorphins (natural painkillers) – reduce discomfort, and give you a relaxing and positive attitude as you push back the threshold of endurance and speed.
The long runs push back your endurance “wall” far beyond race distance.- By gradually extending slow long runs, you train muscle cells to expand their capacity to utilize oxygen efficiently.
Learn more about 5K and 10K Running in Jeff’s book Galloway’s 5k/10K Running. You will find the book at: https://shop.phidippides.com/collections/books-dvds