Can you train for distance running and do 5x5 successfully?

Surfingbodi

Does anyone here do distance running and 5x5 lifting? My legs were jello the first week so I am wondering if I just need time to get back in shape or if these two things do not go well together?

pmur

I'm training for my second half marathon, running 20-23 miles per week and just did day 1 of this program. Boy I'm so sore!
Btw, I started because a fellow runner in the long distance runners group that I'm a part of suggested this program. I read up and got really interested. She says it made her a stronger runner. I'm interested in knowing what others think. I feel in the long run we will have to choose our serious pursuit but I was hoping to do this to my max limit and then continue that while running the same level as now.

Surfingbodi

congrats pmur! i am just getting back into running shape so that makes it all a bit more confusing but there is something about the weakness in my legs for even an easy run that i need to figure out which i am sure is about food combined with weights. i would like to do both but probably focus more on making progress with strength at this point and just be able to complete a half in the next 6 months, slow is fine with me! i am hoping to maybe do my first trail run as well next summer like maybe a 10k or something as i think that might be where i eventually put most of my energy training once i am back in shape.

please keep sharing about your experiences so i can learn from them

pmur

I definitely will. My plan is to continue running the current weekly mileage without adding to it and working on strength. I will let you know how things go.

SkepticalOwl

I am running and doing SL. I just started my 4th week of it after having been away from it to the point that I felt had to completely de-load and start from scratch. I'm feeling really good with my lifts but running has been just hell. This may also have something to do with having switched to running on a treadmill. At this point I'm planning on concentrating on lifting through the winter and then shift my concentration to running when it starts to warm up again in the spring. I hope to have built enough strength to help me get a bit faster.

Surfingbodi

Ty for sharing this Skep as I was worried it was just me. I do not think I ever had a harder time running than I did last week and it did not shift at all after 20 minutes, if anything it was worse so i had to stop! I am not giving up though but coming up with a different strategy is certainly in line.

SkepticalOwl

I hear you. Even before I started lifting more I needed to warm up for about 2 miles before my running really felt good, but I was able to keep going for a long time after that. These days I'm really struggling after the same 2 miles. It's pretty frustrating.

pmur

Do you guys run and lift alternate days? I'm having to stretch A LOT more running. It's probably the cold weather or the workout making my hamstrings tight. I need to try foam rolling religiously. My trainer swears by it for runners esp after strength workouts.

SkepticalOwl

I sometimes run before lifting, sometimes after, and sometimes on a different day. No matter the timing, the running has been hard and the lifting easier , though I expect that as I progress with the lifting I'll find that I don't want to run before.

MissHolidayGolightly

You might be able to do 5x5 while training for distance running but perhaps not to the full extent of the program. Maybe if you doit 2x per week and accept slower progression because you have less time to rest and heal.

I agree that strength training has positively impacted my ability to run, bike, and kayak. When I was training for a half marathon earlier this year, however, I had very little time or energy to do a full lifting program on top of it. You just have to balance it and prioritize one activity.

SkepticalOwl

Progress report:
I lifted yesterday and then went for a long run this morning (13.2 miles). My legs feel pretty beat now but I was able to keep the pace I set for myself on the run -- 9:45 min/mile. It's not fast, I know, but I enjoyed it and felt better afterwards. It probably helped that it was warm out and I could run outside comfortably. I think the treadmill takes a lot more out of me. We'll see how lifting goes tomorrow.