Any runners out there who don't lift?

stealthq

I run. I lifted up until a couple of months ago when my schedule went all wonky. I'll get back to it after vacation in a couple of weeks.

I don't mind lifting. I don't love it, but it makes a difference for running and for everyday. My posture is better when I lift. I run faster even when I feel tired and engaging my core is more automatic. I notice that my left ankle that is always on the stiff side is more flexible. On the other hand, I'm running and lifting pre-fatigued more often than not, and it's difficult to be in even a slight deficit without becoming exhausted.

hill8570

For decades, I did pretty much all activities (including running) without lifting heavy. Never saw any real downside, and my experience using machine workouts in my 20's was that "weightlifting is effing boring". OTOH, I took up SL 5x5 about a year ago. Was planning on just using it to keep busy in the winter, but I found that I actually enjoyed barbell work -- there's a surprising amount of skill involved. I'll probably start trying to learn some Olympic lifts one of these days -- they look even more challenging.

But, hey, do what you enjoy now -- there's always plenty of time to try new things later!

mbaker566

i don't lift. i do yoga and aerial yoga which is a lot of body weight stuffs.
i don't find lifting interesting. i try to just do what i find interesting.
maybe rock climbing..

WickedPineapple

I'm a runner and I lift; however, I don't do heavy lifting during race training. During race training I do yoga and other bodyweight training. I don't think of heavy lifting as something that is necessary, but I do prefer it to most cardio. Even if you don't want to lift, you should incorporate some kind of strength training as it helps maintain muscle mass (especially if you're losing weight) and is good for bone density. Yoga is great by the way, I highly recommend it to everyone.

BrianSharpe

I'm a runner and I lift (but not heavy - specifically geared towards core, hips, glutes etc) and this may be anecdotal but.....

This year I decided to be more consistent with my strength training and two things happened.

1. I ran injury free this year
2. I set new PBs in my 5K, 10K, sprint & Olympic duathlons, and half-marathon

I still view it as a bit of a chore (I'm doing 3 sessions of 30 to 45 minutes on average) but based on the results I'm sold....

Somebody_Loved

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I do deal with hip and back pain (although it has gotten much better) so I think I'll try out the yoga classes offered at my work. They're free and break up the work day, anyway, so it might be a nice addition!

mwyvr

I've done the gym thing before in my life, once for two years on a regular basis, and I just don't enjoy it. I also don't enjoy paying for it as I'd rather buy more running shoes. Or beer.

It's not that I dislike working out because once I'm there, I'm into it. My primary issue is I don't enjoy working out while indoors -- I don't even like running indoors, I want to do my sweating outside in the fresh air, even if that means running through cold Vancouver winter rain. I'd much rather be running hills in the mountains. Give me space and fresh air please - the environment I'm in is just as important to me as the workout.

Sometimes I'll run to a distant park to use equipment along an outdoor fitness circuit. At the bare minimum I'll do some pull-up sets on the overhead bar. A 15km run, some pull ups, dog gets to chase squirrels = a pretty perfect 90 minutes. No line ups. No gym membership required. Hmnn... I think I'll do this one today.

Somebody_Loved

@mwyvr - I totally agree. When I first started running I started on the treadmill. I've since moved to outdoor running and enjoy it infinitely better. Your plan today sounds fantastic!

Cherimoose

Somebody_Loved wrote: »

I've always been of the mindset that the only workout routine you'll stick to is the one you enjoy.

Not sure i agree. I don't enjoy some of the strength exercises i do, but i know i benefit both physically & mentally, so i do them. Not everything that i need to do in life is fun.

LeslieB042812

Cherimoose wrote: »

Somebody_Loved wrote: »

I've always been of the mindset that the only workout routine you'll stick to is the one you enjoy.

Not sure i agree. I don't enjoy some of the strength exercises i do, but i know i benefit both physically & mentally, so i do them. Not everything that i need to do in life is fun.

I agree with Cherimoose, since I don't enjoy running but I do it because I like the way I feel when I'm regularly running and I also like the extra calories I get to eat. Maybe a good in-between is that it doesn't have to be something you enjoy, and you may even hate it a little, but it has to be something that you don't totally loath! For me, Insanity (or really any repetitive video) is a workout I loath. I loved the way I felt and looked when I was doing it, but couldn't stand hearing the same cheesy one-liners every time.

Somebody_Loved

LeslieB042812 wrote: »

Cherimoose wrote: »

Somebody_Loved wrote: »

I've always been of the mindset that the only workout routine you'll stick to is the one you enjoy.

Not sure i agree. I don't enjoy some of the strength exercises i do, but i know i benefit both physically & mentally, so i do them. Not everything that i need to do in life is fun.

I agree with Cherimoose, since I don't enjoy running but I do it because I like the way I feel when I'm regularly running and I also like the extra calories I get to eat. Maybe a good in-between is that it doesn't have to be something you enjoy, and you may even hate it a little, but it has to be something that you don't totally loath! For me, Insanity (or really any repetitive video) is a workout I loath. I loved the way I felt and looked when I was doing it, but couldn't stand hearing the same cheesy one-liners every time.

I see what both of you are saying. For me personally, it's been true that I'll only stick with a workout routine I enjoy. In the case of lifting, the potential benefits haven't outweighed my lack of desire to do it.

girlwithcurls2

This begs my question. Like the OP, I feel like I should be lifting, but I've not started or tried yet. I enjoy running, but mostly, I swim (slowly) and do a very intense water fitness class. In the back of my mind though, I feel like my bones will thank me later for lifting now. I'm 47, premenopausal, and work full time with a family. Between running, swims, and a once weekly dance class, I am not sure where I would fit lifting. In the water fitness class, I use cuffs on my ankles which adds wicked resistance for my legs, and we use "bells" for upper body resistance. Is that enough? It's not weight bearing, which I had always heard women need for better bone density.

MeanderingMammal

mwyvr wrote: »

Sometimes I'll run to a distant park to use equipment along an outdoor fitness circuit. At the bare minimum I'll do some pull-up sets on the overhead bar. A 15km run, some pull ups, dog gets to chase squirrels = a pretty perfect 90 minutes. No line ups. No gym membership required. Hmnn... I think I'll do this one today.

I have a WOSS trainer set that I can throw in my Camelbak, run out to the woods and set it up on a tree. That gives me the opportunity to warm up, do some bodyweight work and then run home again.

It's still dull, given all the waiting around between sets, but at least it's out in the real.

Carrieendar

I have a pretty consistent lift schedule even through racing season.

Myrtl Routine for hips 2x a week at least:
http://njsportsmed.com/files/myrtl_routine.pdf

15 minutes of Plyometrics before or after 1 of my easy run days:
jump squats, burpees, box jumps- up and down, speed skaters, jump knee tuck, etc

20 min heavy lift 2x-- but, often it becomes only 1:
shoulder press
chest press
calf raises
squats
deadlifts
lat pulls
I usually do a set of core between each lift set. I think if you have some heavy dumbbells at home, that can be easier because you can do a quick lift set while watching TV or whatever. If you don't feel motivated to do the lifting part, maybe try something like the myrtl routine, which has some strengthening in it and is very beneficial to you as a runner.

SoleSister1234

So glad you posted this question - I totally agree! I found a workout on pinterest that I sometimes use for my cross-training days. It isn't weights, but many of the moves are ones you did as a child in gym class - jumping jacks, situps, squats, push-ups. For us runners who hate weight-lifting, let's try to focus on weight-bearing exercises. I have a feeling any exercise that builds the muscles around those we use for running will improve our performance. Befriend me and we'll improve upon this together!

fiddletime

Somebody_Loved wrote: »

@mwyvr - I totally agree. When I first started running I started on the treadmill. I've since moved to outdoor running and enjoy it infinitely better. Your plan today sounds fantastic!

I ran outside for 30 years in all weather, and loved it. I started to have knee and hip pain which went away on my treadmill, so another decade with the treadmill and am glad I am still able to run. I've added in DVDs and am doing body resistance and hand weights. It's fun and I feel all over stronger, but what I love is running.