Suggestions/Advice about weight work with high running mileage

[Elaine Keller]

I'm going to run the Saint George, Utah marathon on October 1st. While this is not my first marathon I am relatively new to Cathe. I didn't get serious about weight training until last January.

The first of July is when I will begin to get serious about training for the marathon, meaning that is when my mileage of my mid-week distance run and weekend long run will begin to increase.

I'm somewhat nervous about what lower body training I should incorporate when I start to run long. I've maintained a 13 mile base and anything over that is above and beyond what my body is used to doing. I want to make sure I don't over do it and injure myself.

I just started using the Gym Style workouts this week and plan to keep them in my rotation until the beginning of July. After that I was thinking I'd stay heavy with upper body and do core work three times a week througout the marathon training.

I really feel that continuing with lower body work will be an asset to my training but I'm not sure to what extent.

Any suggestions, anecdotes and/or adivce would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,
Elaine

 

[Mckmain]

Hi Elaine...I used to lift heavy 3 times a week...I think I told you that but now (I am 46) I am thinking that more endurance based lower body workouts are better for me. Not real likely I will BUILD much muscle now but I want to strengthen what I have. Seems endurance workouts help better with building up endurance in your muscles and you will need that in a marathon. As far as upper...depends on what you want. I get more defintion when I lift heavy...but of course a clean diet helps tooo......Carole

 

[Elaine Keller]

Hi Carole,

So do you do Cathe endurance weight training like the the leg portion of ME for instance? Are Leaner Legs and Legs and Glutes considered endurance?

I think I emailed you a similar question and I'm not any less uptight about the upcoming training! To qualify for Boston I need to run a 4 hour 59 second marathon and that might me do-able for me in Saint George. I want to do everything just right

Elaine

 

[Mckmain]

Yes, I would consider the Leg portion of ME, PH and MM more endurance. Also Leaner Legs, L&G and GS Legs if you use light weight. Endurance to me is a faster paced workout and lighter weights so you can almost modify any of Cathe's workouts to a degree. I would suggest legs twice a week to see how it feels. But no more than 3 times. Do some upper body too as it does help to be strong there in the last 10 miles if a marathon. A strong core is also good, but I have to say I've known some very speedy runners with a bit of a pouch!! What kind of times have you done so far for a marathon? Forgive me if you have already told me this. To run faster you do need to also incorporate some speedwork maybe twice a week (not on leg work day though!!) I can tell you some speed workouts I have done and you can also find some at www.runnersworld.com . I did qualify about 5 times for Boston but never went......I keep hoping to get my sister to qulify again with me so we can both go......try not to stress, I bet you will do great!!!....Carole