Is it necessarily bad to have running as your sole source of exercise?
JustRobby1
Posts: 674 Member
Sorry for all the questions of late, just a lot of transition recently so I need to lean on folks with more experience. I used to lift fairly regularly in the not so distant past. When I began creeping into 25+ miles per week territory, this fell of substantially. The last 6 weeks since I began training for my first half, I honestly have quit going to the gym entirely to focus on running. I guess what I am asking is can I just keep doing what I am doing and not bother with the gym anymore? The results distance running have given me have been miraculous. I wear a 32 inch waist jeans for the first time since probably middle school, and people who have not seen me in awhile hardly recognize me. My endurance and speed seems to keep rising in a fairly linear fashion and physically I feel fantastic. Anything wrong with just running to stay in shape?
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Replies
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Well, it doesn't do much for upper body strength. I speak as a runner, myself. I *wish* I believed it was all I needed.1
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To reduce the risk of injury and help with training and performance, cross training is highly recommended. While training I cycle, do yoga, and/or lift weights. In the off season I lift.7
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You should do some strength training to prevent injuries.3
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I only run and walk and have for a year. I occasionally do body weight training or intervals but I just don't really like them. The best exercise is the one you do.4
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Strength training helps you prevent the loss of lean mass. If you like how you look that's fine, but if you are in the middle of the normal weight range and feel your body fat is still high you might want to think about lifting.5
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Resistance training is beneficial, and it will also improve your running performance.
That being said, you can get by with a pretty minimal program if that's what you want. 2 times a week is plenty, even 3 times in 2 weeks can be helpful. Do 6-8 compound exercises and you're good.6 -
You can, but as is being pointed out, incorporating at least some strength training is going to be very beneficial in the long run. Keep it to using the exercises that give you the most bang for your buck, and include some unilateral training, that will help your running.1
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What Rybo and Azdak said ^.0
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Cross training will help you become a stronger runner.0
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No, but don't expect it to help strengthen your upper body and keep the upper body muscle conditioned.
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I run better since I added in cycling5
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Agree with all the above, I've had a few injuries caused by muscle imbalances as previously all I did was run. Which works some muscles, leaving others weak, this pulls your body out of kilter. I now mix things up and do some core and strength work, a stronger core has helped my running, strength and balance work has helped with injuries.5
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Running is awesome for burning the calories and resulting in a lean body. The running will drive your body to be as light as it can be as that's efficient. However I feel I run better being a bit more conditioned through weight lifting alongside my running. I also find I need to run less miles if I strength train alongside to meet my goals.2
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I ran for 40 years. I did push-ups and crunches but running was my thing. At 60 (with little warning) I developed pain from plantar fasciitis and bunions and decided to switch to biking and rowing. Who knows, you might get tired of running and go back to weights. I'd do what you enjoy and have time to do and if you develop problems then you might have to round things out.1
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I'm curious who is marking all the recommendations for cross training / lifting as 'woo' and why? If you disagree with the suggestions you should at least offer an alternative and state your reasons for it.6
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JustRobby1 wrote: »Sorry for all the questions of late, just a lot of transition recently so I need to lean on folks with more experience. I used to lift fairly regularly in the not so distant past. When I began creeping into 25+ miles per week territory, this fell of substantially. The last 6 weeks since I began training for my first half, I honestly have quit going to the gym entirely to focus on running. I guess what I am asking is can I just keep doing what I am doing and not bother with the gym anymore? The results distance running have given me have been miraculous. I wear a 32 inch waist jeans for the first time since probably middle school, and people who have not seen me in awhile hardly recognize me. My endurance and speed seems to keep rising in a fairly linear fashion and physically I feel fantastic. Anything wrong with just running to stay in shape?
On MFP yes. In real life, no.
On MFP runners are some mysterious "skinny fat" creatures with no muscle mass at all. In real life, runners are either just normal people who run, or people really serious about it who are usually in awesome shape, with great bodies.8 -
JustRobby1 wrote: »Sorry for all the questions of late, just a lot of transition recently so I need to lean on folks with more experience. I used to lift fairly regularly in the not so distant past. When I began creeping into 25+ miles per week territory, this fell of substantially. The last 6 weeks since I began training for my first half, I honestly have quit going to the gym entirely to focus on running. I guess what I am asking is can I just keep doing what I am doing and not bother with the gym anymore? The results distance running have given me have been miraculous. I wear a 32 inch waist jeans for the first time since probably middle school, and people who have not seen me in awhile hardly recognize me. My endurance and speed seems to keep rising in a fairly linear fashion and physically I feel fantastic. Anything wrong with just running to stay in shape?
On MFP yes. In real life, no.
On MFP runners are some mysterious "skinny fat" creatures with no muscle mass at all. In real life, runners are either just normal people who run, or people really serious about it who are usually in awesome shape, with great bodies.
Which race can we meet at? I'd love to run with you.1 -
Thanks for the constructive feedback everyone. After I get this half out of the way on the 24th, I will start to investigate some routines that are quick and that I can do on limited 2 day per week rotation. I am hopeful for something in the 30 min range so I can knock it out before work leaving me my evenings to run.
My main issue is that I enjoy running, especially outdoors on a nice day, whereas I simply tolerate (at best) resistance training. However, if it can take me to the next level by saving me from being hung up with injuries or help me get my lap times down, I would consider it required. I have had a couple of sprains that have sidelined me in the past thus far. I also had foot strike and blister issues when I first started running prior to actually paying a visit to a legit running store and discovering the magic that is Kayano.
I just want to continue to improve, and if getting on a strength training regimen will aid in this process, all the better.1 -
I am an avid cycling enthusiast and cycling is my primary exercise...but resistance training of some kind is important in regards to your overall fitness. It will also help with performance and is injury preventative and a good way to cross train.
I only lift full body 2x per week...I bump that up to 3x in the winter when I spend less time on my bike. Lifting isn't my favorite thing in the world, but it has given me better performance on my bike. I also do a lot of Oly lifting which I find to be more fun than more common lifts...1 -
@JustRobby1 can I be nosey? when you say "just running" what do you mean? I'm a run addict too, even in winter, head torch on and away I go. But I do mix it up, long slow, short fast, hill reps, intervals, most out doors, mostly on road, but some on trails, some treadmill (as little as poss, but handy when injured and you can just stop and you're not miles from home), all sorts, never tire of it. It is my sanity. And am a right miserable sod when I'm injured, hence me mentioning core and strength work in previous post. Its what kept me sane when running was off the cards. Good luck with the HM.1
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On the plus side you don't have to go hardcore with it. Body weight exercises focused on the upper body and a reasonable core program would be enough. Two days a week would be fine and it will actually improve your running.
Just make sure you adjust your calories to give you enough energy to fuel both your running and your muscle building efforts.3 -
I'm with a bunch of fellow ultra runners this weekend as we've got a couple of races.
All of us cross train in some way.
Personally I cycle and swim, some do circuit training, others lift.2 -
I have a brother in law who is a fairly accomplished runner. He's been at it for years and often wins his age group in 10ks and halfs. He started Crossfit about 6 months ago and says he can't believe how much it's helps his running and he wishes he had done it years ago.1
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@Bluebell2325 Sure, I do not mind sharing. Things are pretty off from the norm of late since I am following a HM training regimen, but the average week for me outside of this is around 30 miles. Some days I go more than others of course, but it's almost always at least 5 miles per day. Sunday's are my day to do nothing, rest up, play video games, and soak in the hot tub.
I am most assuredly not a former cross country or track athlete (I was formerly morbidly obese, actually) so I do not have a lot of specific methodology or training. I have just been slowly working on building the total distance I can run and increasing the speed in which I can run it. It's been a cat and mouse game, but things are finally starting to come together and my confidence is on the rise. Most of my races to date have been of the charity variety, but the Chicago HM is actually a pretty big deal around these parts, so I am pretty paranoid about it. People far wiser than I have told me repeatedly to trust the training, which is what I am trying to do.3 -
I cycle, do yoga, hike and walk.
I Never step foot in a gym even in winter when it's snowing.1 -
I'm curious who is marking all the recommendations for cross training / lifting as 'woo' and why? If you disagree with the suggestions you should at least offer an alternative and state your reasons for it.
I'm curious to.
There is a reason almost all running plans incorporate cross training of some kind.0 -
A very good friend of mine is an ultra marathoner.
After years of running - using specific muscles - his hamstrings were so tight he couldn't touch his toes.
He incorporated yoga a few years ago and swears by it.1 -
RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »I'm curious who is marking all the recommendations for cross training / lifting as 'woo' and why? If you disagree with the suggestions you should at least offer an alternative and state your reasons for it.
I'm curious to.
There is a reason almost all running plans incorporate cross training of some kind.
I'm seeing this all over the forums and at first I thought troll but now I wonder if it's also some new or newish folks thinking it's short for "woohoo."0 -
RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »I'm curious who is marking all the recommendations for cross training / lifting as 'woo' and why? If you disagree with the suggestions you should at least offer an alternative and state your reasons for it.
I'm curious to.
There is a reason almost all running plans incorporate cross training of some kind.
I'm seeing this all over the forums and at first I thought troll but now I wonder if it's also some new or newish folks thinking it's short for "woohoo."
I used to think that when I was new. I did not associate "woo" with "nonsense"
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I run 40-50 miles a week and do 5 & 10 K races and training for a half in 5 weeks. I did add some weight training, nothing major, just some bench press, dumbbell curls and leg lifts 3 times a week. It has helped me drop 3 plus minutes off my 5K time this year alone.
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