Running intervals or straight distances? Which burns more?

Question

Lately I've drifted from running 4 miles straight to running a little faster 3 mile interval then 1 mile interval. Considering the same distance is covered and similar speeds, is there a difference in calories burned between the two methods? That 4th mile takes a lot out of the tank, so it helps that I can rest after mile #3 and run a fast mile #4. Is there a difference? Thanks.

Answer 1

Calories are units of work.  You are carrying the same weight over the same distance.  So unless your form is much more inefficient in in one of the methods, there won't be much of a difference.

Answer 2

if there is a difference it is too slight to make any difference. caloric burning is based on the energy expended and so you would use about the same energy to run the straight 4 miles that you do to run 3 miles and one mile but at a faster speed