Strength Training and Running

During the winter I use body weight exercises at home. In the summer, yard work and gardening (including digging, raking, weeding, hauling bags of mulch) and I am also a scuba instructor (swimming, carrying tanks....)

OP: look up training programs like Higdon or Galloway. I have a half In January, the day after a 10k. So a 20 week program will work for me. On the short run days I'll lift compound lifts. The day before the long run for the week I'll rest. So 4 running days, 2-3 of those days lift, and one rest day. For lifting, you could attempt any number of plans, but find what you enjoy since you may be doing it the same day as a run. Best of luck, have fun, enjoy the running and lifting.

I am training for my 3rd half. I run about 5 days per week and do strength training 2 days per week. My strength workout looks something like this

Day 1
Squats with the squat-rack bar
Lunges with a barbell
Seated row machine
Military overhead press
Push-ups
Abdominal stuff (planks, crunches, twists with the medicine ball)

Day 2 (Thursday)
Bench press
Bicep curls
Tricep dips
Lat Pull Down
Inner and Outer Thigh machine
Abdominal stuff

I do less heavy work on my legs on Day 2, so that my legs aren't too tired for my long runs on Saturdays. Hope that gives you some ideas!

Well, I just signed up for my first half in over 25 years! The race is in December. I plan to carry on lifting 3 times per week (Starting Strength) and getting in ~2 runs a week over the summer, then ramp up the miles in the fall. I figure being stronger will only help me to be faster. I'm in maintenance and have no plans to bulk at all.

I'm open to suggestions for a better plan though!

Yay you!

To the OP - I did my first half last year. I had been running only a year and did a three-day-a week plan. I was doing NRoL4W, but ended up feeling shredded after my long run - even bridges hurt my hamstrings. I stopped working out, just stretched and lost 6 pounds of lean mass.

This year, I'm doing the Convict Conditioning progressive calisthenics program and working on running 4 days a week so I'm fitter in general. Since CC is a progressive program, I'll be able to scale back the exercises until I find something that I can continue through November.

Great job in doing strength training - it's critical for speed and stability.

Yay convict conditioners!!!

My next half is on 6/7.
I do Stronglifts three days a week, run 5 miles one weekday evening, and a long run on one weekend morning. I PR'd my last half in Feb by over 20 minutes and trained this way then, also.

Interesting! So you only run 2 days a week? I run 3 days/week and try to strength train or cross train the other days. I rest 1 day. I love Stronglifts. You can search for youtube videos for more info. I've also gotten some good info here http://strengthrunning.com/category/strength-workouts/ Runner's world has some great yoga videos too.

I find all your responses very interesting. I have just started running again after many years of being a cp. I am using the C25K program to start. When I met with a trainer at my gym I was asked what my goals were. I want to run a few 5K's this summer and possibly work up to a half marathon. I also want to tone up and build my strength as I have lost a considerable amount of weight and am a little flabby. This trainer told me it was not possible to do both, and I had to choose one or the other. The conflicting information is so confusing for someone just starting out. Needless to say I did not hire this trainer. Your responses have confirmed I made the right decision. Your knowledge and feedback is very beneficial and I will incorporate some of your suggestions into my program.

Yeah. Find a trainer who knows what they are talking about.

My trainer works with Jeff Galloway and has qualified for Boston. She runs a sub-three marathon. She would disagree with that trainer.

You can't be a competitive power lifter and run at an elite level in the marathon - there is a point where you are going to need to have your main focus on one of those goals. But it's really only after you get pretty good at both.

You can strength train, build muscle and prepare to run your first half. You may need to scale as your workouts get more intense, but you don't have to choose.

A lot of people in real life run through the summer and cross train with weights, and the cut back to a maintenance level of running through the winter and focus on gaining muscle. There are a number of strategies you can use to fit both in.