Are there benefits to running slower but longer?

The Question: I’ve been adding hills and stair climbing to increase my endurance but I know I need to vary things up. Are there any benefits to running slower but longer? Or am I just looking for the easy way out?

The Answer: Your plan to add some variety is a good one – it helps with motivation and overall fitness. As for the endurance end of things, if you’re aiming to be a fit person, you don’t need to overdo it; be sure to include strength, flexibility and core work as well. If you’re working up to a race, however, aerobic endurance becomes much more important