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Isthmus Runner
A blog devoted to Madison area runners and races
Written by: BRAdmin 7/26/2010 3:00 PM
When I started running in high school, our coach got us into the weight room two times a week. The focus was on light weights, high repetition. Of course, being high school students, we usually ignored this advice and just tried to see how much we could lift.
I’m not sure this helped with running much but it was fun, if not dangerous at times. Lately, I’ve been wondering about getting a little weight training in. I actually went so far as to purchase some light dumbbells and one of those big inflatable balls you can do all kinds of core work on.
I have no doubt that these will help me make a faster runner…if I actually use them. I don’t know how other people find the motivation to do core and weight work but to me there’s really nothing more painful than lower back exercises like the plank.
If anyone has any advice or words of motivation, I’d be happy to hear them!
3 comment(s) so far...
Re: Strength Training - No Thanks I actually started strength training while I was still quite overweight BEFORE I started running so I have incorporated it into my workouts from the beginning. Strength training can help prevent injury and help you be a better runner. I remember when I ran my first marathon my abs hurt afterwards and I thought I would have benefitted from more core work. However, if you are doing any races yet this fall I would wait to start until you are finished with the races and are in your base period of training.I have used weight machines, free weights but right now my preference is for exercises that use your body weight. I also bought an inflatable "disk" and use it to add a balance and stability element to my weight training. I do a wide variety of exercises but it maybe wouldn't hurt to do some research on your own and maybe even talk to a trainer to find the exercises and methods that work best for you.
Re: Strength Training - No Thanks
I actually started strength training while I was still quite overweight BEFORE I started running so I have incorporated it into my workouts from the beginning. Strength training can help prevent injury and help you be a better runner. I remember when I ran my first marathon my abs hurt afterwards and I thought I would have benefitted from more core work. However, if you are doing any races yet this fall I would wait to start until you are finished with the races and are in your base period of training.I have used weight machines, free weights but right now my preference is for exercises that use your body weight. I also bought an inflatable "disk" and use it to add a balance and stability element to my weight training. I do a wide variety of exercises but it maybe wouldn't hurt to do some research on your own and maybe even talk to a trainer to find the exercises and methods that work best for you.
Re: Strength Training - No Thanks Thanks Anna for the advice. Glad to hear that you prefer exercises that use your own body weight...I'd rather not have to go to a gym. I just picked up one of those inflatable balls that you can do core work on. I have yet to blow it up! But it looks like it would be a good workout.
Thanks Anna for the advice. Glad to hear that you prefer exercises that use your own body weight...I'd rather not have to go to a gym. I just picked up one of those inflatable balls that you can do core work on. I have yet to blow it up! But it looks like it would be a good workout.
Re: Strength Training - No Thanks Hello All, Anna you bring up some great points. Strength training has been shown to have all kinds of benefit for runners including boosting performance, becoming a stronger runner on the hills, and injury prevention. What many don't realize is you don't need to do a super long session to get the benefits. I am working on a 10 minute program for runners to do after their runs so you will have time to do it more times per week. Frequency is more important than volume as many exercises are focusing on activating sleeping muscles and frequency is most effective at achieving this. Yes Shelby, the dreaded plank is a very effective exercise, but you can achieve similar results with other "less dreaded" options.
Hello All, Anna you bring up some great points. Strength training has been shown to have all kinds of benefit for runners including boosting performance, becoming a stronger runner on the hills, and injury prevention. What many don't realize is you don't need to do a super long session to get the benefits. I am working on a 10 minute program for runners to do after their runs so you will have time to do it more times per week. Frequency is more important than volume as many exercises are focusing on activating sleeping muscles and frequency is most effective at achieving this. Yes Shelby, the dreaded plank is a very effective exercise, but you can achieve similar results with other "less dreaded" options.
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