How long should long runs be?

In Track long distance does speed work, tempo and long runs help get you faster? If so, how?

• Hi, i'm a freshman in high school and this is my first year in track (event is long distance). We do speedwork one day, then a recovery run, then tempo run, recovery, and then a long run. My coach makes us do speedwork which consists of 4-200s, 2-400s, 1-600, and then another 2-400s and 4-200s all done on the track. She also has us do tempo and a long run each week. I don't feel like i've gotten faster even though she tells me i have. So does speed work, tempo, and long runs help at all? And how do they help you get faster? *if they do that is*

• Answer:

  They build endurance and muscle.