Do You Also Weight Train?

[Danielle]

I recently stopped weight training for my legs. My legs have always been very muscular and I want to get their size down, but wonder if my running speed will be affected by this.

Has weight training helped your running? Do you train upper body only or both upper and lower?

[daniel_6_mile_man]

Ever since Freshman year Ive been a lifter first, then a runner. So, I built up a lot of good muscle during track and cross country. I was benching 225, squatting in the 300s, and deadlifting over 400. However, I was only running 5:20 miles and 11:30 2 miles. So, this summer I decided to quit lifting and start to run everyday. I've lost a lot of muscle (i think) and my runnign tiems have GREATLY increased.

So to answer your ?s, stopping lifting both my upper and lower body has been beneficial. But if you do light weight training it will help your running.

[Danielle]

[quote=daniel_6_mile_man]However, I was only running 5:20 miles and 11:30 2 miles./quote]

Only? :eek: You sound like a speed demon. I ran a 5:30 in high school once and never saw it again. Though, thinking about marathon times nowadays, I guess it's common to run 5 minute miles. Still amazes me.

After hearing your success, I'm excited to see whether or not stopping my leg training will give me faster miles.

[Lyricb]

There was a huge bodybuilder at the gym I used to attend in Europe who would run on the treadmill with a 35 pound weight in EACH HAND. He would be sopping wet with sweat when he was done. We were all petrified of him.

[CoachLevi]

I quit using weights a long time ago! I still do some stuff with free weights, but most of my stuff is body weight exercise now.

Like this: http://coachlevi.com/reviews/cyclocore.htm

[mommyX2]

I used to weight train when I was in high school actually it was the part that I enjoyed the most about my practices. I would love to add some ankle weights to my runs now but I am afraid of adding too much! It is funny how things change!

[Vizuke]

barbells and benchpress besides running...that's the thing i like

[mrbill]

I weight train by doing some circuit training. You do all body parts with minimal rest in between exercises. This way it's like a cardio as well. You will build strength as well as tone up doing these.

I try do at least 2 sets, 3 days a week.