Gooch,
I am new to the running thing, and had a question. I am planning on running a half marathon in September (at wright patt airforce base) and am wondering if it is wise to still lift heavy legs, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, etc. It seems that the bigger my legs get the harder will be to train for a run. What do you think?

Well I am very new at running too, so I may not be the best person to ask, but I have no intention of cutting back on my squats and deadlifts. I think most distance runners are very skinny simply because they don't train and eat for any mass. I think you can have good muscle mass and be a good endurance athlete ....now I'd say there's a limit. I don't think you're going to see too many 250 lb guys, even at low bf running marathons, but there's a lot of room between that and the starving runner look.

At Wright Pat huh? What's messed up for me right now is that I'll be moving as soon as we can get this house sold, so I don't know when I'll be here and when I'll be in Minnesota

Cool, thanks for the response. Good luck on your 4k friday!

4k is just alittle over 2 miles right?

It should be right around 2.55 miles.

Yeah, It worked out nicely that this is the earliest one I could find. Get my feet wet with a short distance



...do you live in the Dayton area getpumped11?

I'm with GOOCH. I'll be damned if I'm gonna stop deadlifting, squatting, and whatever. There's lots of room between the skin and bones look and the muscle-bound power guy. I think it's fine and even optimal to weight train with heavy compounds while still working on endurance.

So, how ya doin anyway GOOCH?

I'm a lot better today. Yesterday I was able to force down my calories, but today I was actually hungry.

I'm gonna pound the pavement tomorrow. I can't wait!

Sweet! I'm glad to hear it.

Today, I lifted then ran. Got in 2.5 miles in about 18 minutes, I felt great today!

You'll smoke me, then. I ran 3 miles this morning and it took me 40 minutes. I'm still happy because I probably haven't run 3 miles in about 12 years. The most important thing to me at this point is that I run the whole way. I don't now how hilly the course is going to be, but my neighborhood is very hilly so maybe I'll do a little better than that

On my elliptical I can keep 10 min mile pace for at least 6 miles, but it's a lot different

P.S. I'm starting to get a little freaked out about my post-illness weight loss. I'm down another .8 lbs. That puts me at almost 5 lbs. in less than a week. If it doesn't come back on my current intake I might have to resort to a weight gainer. I just can't eat any more on a regular basis. I'm at 3800 now.

not to seem cheap, but here is a copy of a post to Phate- it applies:
ok- let's discuss you in your journal, not mine

2 lbs in a 6K run is alot dude. And it is cool-ish in So.Cal right now. SO- you are a sweater.

the key to cramping and quick recovery is in proper preperation for what you are going to do to your body. Potassium Colinate(?) is a good thing to add to your supplement list, if you plan to keep running.

you are also young, and may be a bit jumpy out there in your run. Keep your vertical lift under control when you run (this could be burning up your calves.. For an awareness builder, try running for 5 minutes really springing up high, and feel those calves. Sometimes going into an extreme with something can give you an awareness to the error)

There is no reason to burn up your calves looking like a kangaroo. Settle in some.

Allow your foot to initiate landing on the heel (lightly), but 'strike' (impact) mid-foot, and then roll inward (rolling on the ball) to a "FORWARD" push off, verses an upward/out pushoff.

Also let your arms fall some. Many times we are excited and strong, and hold the arms up (look cool) and spring real high (look at how easy this is for me) and we wear our parts (burned calves) out. Glad I've never done that! LOL

Work on that for now.

AND- drink more water.

FF

Thanks for the stride info. I'll pick mine apart next run

I don't know if you included the first part for me, but I don't think running has anything to do with my weight loss. I think being sick and going from 3800 cals/day to about 1000 cals/day for 3 days shocked the hell out of my system.


.......I did sweat my ass off though and it was only 36 degrees here LOL

Damn, last night and this morning the sides of my knees hurt. I guess it's the tendons on the outside surface of both knees. I had to skip deads today

that is from "launching" you will get over that. It is gunna get a bit worse befgore it gets better. rubbing them with your thimbs hurts in a good way.

hahahaha
welcome to the world of running.

Also- Sparrow mentioned somewhere that ankle flexibility contributes to tight calves. it also contributes to tight hip flexors, and hips flexors contribute to that IT band, that pulls on that knee tnedons, that you are feeling.

TIME TO START STRETCHING SOME! hehehe

We don't tell you about this stuff up front, but a big TUFF GUY LIKE YOU should be fine.

p.s. It won't last.... shoot my wife is already over that. Now whe thinks she's a runner and everything.

p.s.s. appreciate those growing pains, it won;t be long and you won't be able to get sore.