Has anyone quit running and got very muscular?

AJJ wrote:

An injury I have is really bumming me out. I kinda want to quit for a year or two(not forever) and put on some muscle. I am pretty skinny so I feel like getting bigger will be a great thing for me. Has anyone done it? What is it like? How do people look at you differently? Do girls like you more?

Go for it and don't look back.

Girls definitely check you out more. But, the rest is up to what you are bulky or skinny. And depending on your body type, you might not bulk up. I don't.

Is it the bestest permanent peak experience? No.

I had to get used to watching my calories. Not a big deal, but something to note.

I was always big for a runner but was still skinny by normal people standards... I've gained about 15lbs since my peak running days, and I actually noticed a difference in the way EVERYONE treated me. This is a phenomenon that has been written about before on here, but basically your entire life will likely improve if you add weight and muscle. Guys listen to you more, girls look at you more, you're more respected at work, more likely to be hired... the list goes on and on. I wish it wasn't this way because I am hoping to actually lose a lot of the weight I've gained and get back into running shape, but it is what it is. Fifteen pounds is not a ton, so maybe you should wait to hear from other people on here. I do have a friend who has weighed everywhere from 140-240lbs since his junior year of high school. He ran xc until sophomore year of HS and then started lifting weights. Just kept getting bigger and bigger in college until he was a big fat muscular blob. Saw him a few months ago and he's a totally shredded 185. I guess he does bodybuilding competitions now. Didn't ask about how it affected his life though I guess.

I quit for a few years and got very musical. Never learned to play an instrument but I like to sing and hum.

Similar deal, I quit competing hit the weights and took up rock climbing went from 143 to 163 (6', smallish frame), actually leaner as a climber (`5% BF). In clothes I look and fell similar, but as soon as anyone sees me with shirt off it's a whole nother deal. Girl's eyes get wider, involuntary smiles, guys give me a few extra inches of space.

Got backl to running, my distance times were worse but sprints were better.

Do it 'cause it's fun to be overall fit, not for the reactions.

Yuji Bonatti wrote:

Similar deal, I quit competing hit the weights and took up rock climbing went from 143 to 163 (6', smallish frame), actually leaner as a climber (`5% BF). In clothes I look and fell similar, but as soon as anyone sees me with shirt off it's a whole nother deal. Girl's eyes get wider, involuntary smiles, guys give me a few extra inches of space.

Got backl to running, my distance times were worse but sprints were better.

Do it 'cause it's fun to be overall fit, not for the reactions.

If the gym is no fun, then forget it.

The variation was good for me with a bonus of people treating me more seriously. Did I consciously seek out changing the way people interacted with me? No. Does it matter? No. Is it a nice bonus? Yes.

To the parent post, if your body type lets you "get big" it takes a long time and it's quite a bit of work. As a "skinny" body type, I got definition and some bulk after 12 months of steady work at the gym. Not a ton of time spent in the gym either, but I was always tired afterwards and went 2-3x a week.

Like the quoted post, I like the overall fitness.

A former runner from Louisville named "Runningart"Back a few years ago on Letsrun..great posts from him..

Interesting fellow..did that.

Switched from running to body building?

I started doing a few bodyweight exercises to compliment my running. Then started seeing a strength increase and liked it so I started doing some lifting. This led to doing some CF style stuff...next thing know I'm only running while doing sprints, or the occasional 2-3 mile jog with somebody else for social reasons. Couldn't be happier. My running was mediocre at best anyway, so I wasn't winning medals. I can't run worth a damn now, but I'm fast and powerful(compared to my old self). I weigh about 30 lbs more, look exponentially better with and without clothes on. Just get more respect in general from both sexes. Best part for me is that I exercise for about two hours a week. No time or desire to run an hour or two a day anymore.

If you believe XFit_guy_thereal_1, he has gained around 50 lbs of muscle. I am not sure though if he ever was a competitive runner. Did he ever tell what his 5k time was?

I quit running competitively after I graduated high school. I started lifting once I got into college because I was very sad about a couple girls. I started off my freshman year at 6'3" 155 lbs and ended at 6'3" 175. Put on about 20 pounds in a year. Almost completely muscle. It's been a couple years and i'm at 180. I don't lift that much anymore. I'm happy with my size. I get comments and now and then. I feel way more confident with my shirt off. It's worth a shot if you don't care about running as much anymore.

I was 140lbs 15:43, 32:08, 1:09:40, 2:32:45. At 5'5.5" I was never the typical rail thin runner.

Turned 30 started lifting weights and running less. Got up to 165lbs at same body fat. Got up to 250 bench, 300 squat, 350 deadlift at 165. Cut for a bodybuilding show. At 155 was still lifting same weight. At 150 I was getting delirious. On stage at an insanely shredded 146. Placed 5th in my class won a 4ft long broadsword.

Today I'm 37. 165-70lb on a good day. Maintain approx same strength. Run 18:00 5k and 5:00 mile on a good day. Want to deadlift 405 and run a sub 3 marathon in the same month...that would be cool.

Alan

Alan

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I am SHADOW, and my dwelling is near to the Catacombs of Ptolemais, and hard by those dim plains of Helusion which border upon the foul Charonian canal.

I used to be a competitive collegiate runner. I was nagged by little injuries--shin splints etc. I traded in my 134 lb 6' frame to join the army. After about a year I was running healthier than ever (at 150lb). Then came Ranger school and bulked up to 205lbs. I dont think my frame was built for that weight. I was highly successful in what I was training for, but I basically had to say good bye to my running. I miss it. Strength can be a good thing, but be careful what you wish for.

I would suggest doing a lot of functional training. A runner can always benefit from strength, but size can be tricky.

Question for Alan:

I am in my late 50's and have some of the same #s for lifts as you (same body weight but 6'0"). Would I be competitive as an AG lifter?

Your PRs are about the same as me, though I was faster in my 30s/40s. I'm also training for a sub-3:00 ;)

I've looked up getting into powerlifting meets. Id have to at least pop a 1000 total to not finish DFL. My best was 900...and those are "gym lIfts". At your age at many meets you would be the only competitor

From what I've seen PLing is a very small top heavy sport. Doing it raw, no gear except knee wraps and wt belt, is an even smaller niche. Lighter weight classes don't draw many people. Held true for my one bodybuilding show. 10 ppl in my class...double that in the heavies.

My guess a 50 yr old 165lb class raw lifter would be the only one in his class in many meets.

Do a Google search of your state. Every state has a PLing federation

Alan

Thanks! Maybe we can line up and knock out a 2:59 in a year :)

I meant to say there are more raw lifters than geared lifters at meets.

Alan

AJJ wrote:

An injury I have is really bumming me out. I kinda want to quit for a year or two(not forever) and put on some muscle. I am pretty skinny so I feel like getting bigger will be a great thing for me. Has anyone done it? What is it like? How do people look at you differently? Do girls like you more?

Mostly about genetics. I have not run at all in the last 2 years. Zero increase in mm mass. I tried lifting a bit(even doing size lifting, ie 3 x 12 etc) all it did was get me real cut, and actually lost some inches around the waist!

Hayduke wrote:

Mostly about genetics. I have not run at all in the last 2 years. Zero increase in mm mass. I tried lifting a bit(even doing size lifting, ie 3 x 12 etc) all it did was get me real cut, and actually lost some inches around the waist!

Gotta eat a LOT. 2g protein per kilo body mass. + High volume lifting. + roids if you want more than ~20 lbs added mass.

MNM wrote:

Hayduke wrote:

Mostly about genetics. I have not run at all in the last 2 years. Zero increase in mm mass. I tried lifting a bit(even doing size lifting, ie 3 x 12 etc) all it did was get me real cut, and actually lost some inches around the waist!

Gotta eat a LOT. 2g protein per kilo body mass. + High volume lifting. + roids if you want more than ~20 lbs added mass.

Usually heavy weight - low reps is better than high volume. And roids is for experienced lifters, not amateurs who barely gained any mass.