Running Addict

jjwoods

So, I'm addicted to running and have been for a long time (20 years). I did my first marathon last year. While I was training for it I found that I was "softer" than I normally am. I run approximately 50-60 miles a week, do some conditioning with weights, and always do sit ups along with it. I almost feel as if I'm not as strong as I was when I was only running 30 miles a week. It's beyond frustrating. I've been thinking about adding cross fit to my routine, but I'm really worried about getting an injury. I feel like everyone I know gets hurt doing cross fit. I also need running because it's my therapy. I get all my problems sorted out while I run.

kirsty140185

Hi,

Sorry I can't answer your question but wanted to ask, how quickly did you become addicted to running? I suffer from anxiety and know running will help get the stress out but running is taking me some getting used to.

shadowflute

Crossfit is INTENSE. And it's almost every day. Are you ready for that commitment?

What kind of strength training do you do now? How often, and for how long?

cuinboston2014

Being a fellow marathoner but knowing little about crossfit, I think combining the two would maybe be a bit much.

When I've done training cycles in the past at 60 mile weeks, I found if I did 3 days dedicated to strength along wiht my runs, and only ONE day of leg lifting of those three, I felt strong and balanced. I did often use intense lifting videos like P90X shoulder and arms, core synergystics, ab ripper, etc. I think when you put on the miles it's easy to kind of let strength fall to the wayside unless you make a concentrated effort to keep it up.

scraver2003

I've read articles about people training for marathons that gain a little weight and actually lose their six pack abs. If I understand correctly it has to do with doing a lot of steady state cardio and the body storing some fat to get you through those long runs. You need to switch it up with a little interval training and some strength training.

jjwoods

Thanks for the responses. I think I'm going to add some more weight lifting and do some other cardio along with my runs. Kirsty140185 I have been running for 20 years. It has always been an outlet for me.

TAsunder

I would absolutely not do crossfit on 60 mile weeks. I guess you have 20 years under your belt so maybe this is different for you, but I personally wouldn't do it beyond 30 miles. Certainly at 60 mile weeks your glycogen stores are very low, your leg muscles are more fragile, and you are risking injury and overdoing it in general if you do anything intense. Given how intense crossfit is, it seems unwise to me.

To me it seems "normal" that you are weaker during 60 mile weeks.

becs3578

I am not a marathoner. I am running 5k's, 10k's, and half marathon distances right now. I do 3 to 4 runs a week with weekly mileage of around 20 - 25. I go to crossfit 4 times a week. This summer I am adding one swim session and 1 ballet class a week (flexibility and core strength training).

I actually had given up on running when I joined crossfit feb 2013. Since FEB 2013 I have lost 35 lbs and gotten in the best shape of my life. Still have a ways to go. It was this past January that I started running again. The cross training for me made the running so much better and I am able to run farther than I ever could.

I do however modified workouts at CROSSFIT sometimes. You can scale any and all workouts and can really keep from getting injured. I find it is the people that push too hard and too soon that tend to get hurt. But that isnt always the case.

I really am enjoying the combo of running and crossfit. (crossfit at 6am this morning... running at around 6:30 tonight).

Can't hurt to try it out. Usually boxes will give you one free class to "try it out". That is what I did.. and never looked back!

aswearingen22

I've run on and off for 12 years, but began running consistently 25+ mpw about 3.5 year ago. I'd run half marathons for 2.5 years (averaging 25-30mpw) before deciding to also run my first marathon in the fall of 2013 and then another in February 2014. The first marathon cycle my weight was steady until I got up to the higher mileage weeks and in the last few months, I gained 10 pounds (clearly eating more than I should be and not tracking, but I was STARVING, I topped out around 40mpw for that first one, probably in the 35-40mpw range most weeks). Then I went straight into training for marathon #2 with a higher mileage plan running 40-55mpw and yea, another 10 pounds. I've been back down into the 30mpw range while training for spring half's (running 5-6 days a week) and am losing weight again. I haven't ever been consistent about strength training and like you, I always just feel jiggly, even though I can run a marathon. So a few weeks ago, I added Jillian Michael's dvd's 5x's a week and feel SO much better. I just feel stronger, my running feels stronger, my core feels tighter, everything feels better and it's only been a few weeks! Can't wait to see how I feel a month from now! I start training for marathon #3 in about a month and I'm determined now to gain 10 pounds again!

I have three running friends that take barre classes and swear by them (they take them 3-4 times a week in addition to running 3-6 times a week depending on which one we're talking about). They're all marathoners and think that the movements they do in that class have really helped improve their running too, they all PR'd by a lot at every distance after they started taking the class. I've always wanted to take the class, but no childcare and times before work that don't work for me with no showers there to get ready (backtracking back home wouldn't be too much).

I'd be concerned crossfit would be too much if your goal would be to improve your running. Let alone the injury rate.