Who has quit running and started lifting weights? Results?

5k every other day is probably about as much running you'll ever need for basic heart health, but it's best to mix it up if you can and do other forms like lifting weights fast, swimming, jump rope, bike, etc. Daily cardio is a must, too many health risks can occur from not doing it. http://scoobysworkshop.com/2010/08/14/importance-of-cardio-cardiovascular-exercise/ I suggested 5k other day thing because that's basic sprint training protocol there. There's nothing wrong with giving up running if lifting weights brings you more joy in life, you just do you so to speak. Have fun in achieving your goals in life Moby Dick :)

I quit for a year and came back to running as lifting didn't have the same fun/social atmosphere, in fact it was super gay. Anyhow I was forced to start over and was mad. Don't do it. it will take you a long time to get back to peak shape.

In my early 20's I was running 100 miles a week and suddenly got plantar fasciitis and had to completely stop running. With the extra time and energy I started to lift, and within a year I went from 135 lb to 170 lb and kept my body fat relatively the same. I certainly didn't look like the skinny distance runner everyone knew me as. After a few years I was able to begin running again, but kept my mileage around 50 a week but still incorporated lifting into my training. I'm not as fast as I could be, and not as strong as I could be, but I like the fitness levels I have in both areas.

is lifting weights a gay thing?

I quit running a few years ago, and now I just lift. I even started competing in powerlifting, which is kind of fun. The discipline from running carries over to lifting very well. I was 159 pounds as a runner in my 30s, now I am 42 and around 200. Some of that is fat, but I put on a lot of muscle as well. People now think of me as a big, muscular person, which is new.

I am in the middle of a bad injury and have been lifting a few times a week for the past few months. I do not like it at all. It is boring. I do not like spending my very limited time to exercise inside. There is only one decent looking girl at the gym to ogle (that is what you get for being a member of the Y in the burbs). I just listen to podcasts when I lift. That gets old pretty fast, too.

I have definitely put on muscle, but have gotten doughy from not doing cardio. So, not much improvement appearance-wise.

I do appreciate the strength I have gained. I can throw my kids around the pool and hit a golf ball a bit further. Doing yard work and big projects around the house is easier. But I would rather be skinny and rattling off a 9 mi run every morning. I do not gain muscle in a way that would ever have me looking ripped and shredded if I really dialed up the hours in the gym. And my light runner's frame means that i will never be able to hit a softball out of the park or consistently hit a driver 300+ yards.

Lifting is boring, it is true. When I was a runner, I hated lifting weights and always avoided it. But if you make a game of it, it can become interesting. Try increasing whatever weight you are lifting 5-10 pounds a week. Track your progress. Have fun with it.

balls shrunk, pecs got bigger; I gave up sub-15 for this?

I had a similar experience to the above posters. 2:38 marathoner age 22, 6'0, 143 lbs--> serious ITBS injuries --> quit, lifted 9 mos, went up to 165 with lower bodyfat. Ripped but not jacked is how I would describe myself. Women definitely approved when I had my shirt off (but being a runner geek mentally I rarely capitalized on their attraction, didn't get many dates in my 20s).

--> Also took up rock climbing, stayed at 165 most of the time, progressed very slowly but steadily, until I was at elite level in my 30s (at least 10 years older than the few other guys climbing 5.13+ in early 90s)--> took up running competitively again in my 40s, got several age-group national medals, lifetime PRs and coached several national champions, my girlfriend got phenomenal in both sports + triathlon

---> Now 60, working on my first 5.14 (which will be an age-group record of sorts for over-60), I've dropped my weight to 155 and 5% bodyfat, so pretty skinny, but "climber skinny" instead of "runner skinny(fat)". I can still run up to 30 miles comfortably without eating and though not currently competing, feel very healthy (no injuries) which is a huge "win" considering what I have been through over the years with running injuries (no climbing injuries at all).

It's all about the balance and the variety. Keep it fun, make it into play. Most of my resistance training is bodyweight (climbing, gymnastics, parkour type stuff)

john utah wrote:

is lifting weights a gay thing?

Not gay per se, but pretty homoerotic. It can be a total sausage fest. A lot better ratio of women to men in distance running.

I've had girls tell me I'm too small/skinny. I let them know I'm big where it counts but some want the chest of a lifter. Other girls will appreciate your stamina of a runner.

Thanks for the replies. This has only been a week, and I already do miss just being outside for at least an hour everyday. BUT, that's because it's 70-80 degrees out. I have a feeling I'm not going to miss the 90-100 degree days, or ripping 10-15 mile runs in single digits. I just want to change it up. I don't want to get bodybuilder big, but I do want to put on some muscle, I'm kind of tired of looking like a distance runner when I'm only capable of running 17:50's. It's a lot of training and work for mediocre results.

I do already like the calorie counting I'm doing, and I'm seeing that part as relateable to the training plan planning. I'd love to get into swimming a bit more, and possibly rock climbing once I can actually, you know, lift my body better.

I quit running in college and got really into lifting. I went from 150lbs (at 6 feet tall) to almost 200. While I probably looked better to many people, my overall athletic ability decreased pretty significantly. I eventually got back into running and have never been able to lose all the muscle which has definitely limited how fast I could get. If you don't care about running fast, most distance runners can probably benefit from an additional 15-20lbs of muscle but don't go crazy with it like I did.

Quit in college after running up to 100 mpw and having decent PRs. Was burned out and more importantly was tired of having a 130 lb frame. Lifted semi seriously for 10+ years and barely ran. Got up to 170 lbs while actually focusing on diet and staying fairly lean, but never got to the same level of cut I had while running. Later on peaked at 175 lbs after getting somewhat doughy and neglecting excercise as I focused on career.

Picked up running again in early 30's. Nothing serious, 40 mpw on average, but with structured workouts. 10 years later I'm down to 145 lbs and am leaner than I ever was during my lifting phase. Have maintained 15 lbs of muscle over my early running days and it makes a huge difference. Find that I can go back to lifting and recover strength quickly. Also don't seem to fall below a certain level of strength no matter how long I go without lifting.

Bottom line I enjoy running much more. As has been said, it's hard to beat being outside and it just feels better. I dread going to the gym to lift now.

QOTD:

Moby Dick wrote:

I'm kind of tired of looking like a distance runner when I'm only capable of running 17:50's.

.

Fastest running weight + 15 lbs muscle = sweet spot. You don't look like an Auschwitz survivor and can still do almost everything efficiently.

Our ancestors not only had to run down game, they had to slay it once they arrived. The typical Cro Magnon man was 6'0" and 165 lbs..

Yes. I was forced to quit running 11 years ago due to a permanent orthopedic injury. It devastated me at the time and I spent hours every day just walking and hiking, torturing myself by dreaming about running. Then seven years ago I took up weight training after being inspired to do so by some bloggers I followed. I look and feel much better with weight training as my primary form of exercise than I ever did on the running lifestyle. It's amazing how much all-around fitness you can get out of it and I consider it the single best form of exercise.

Dick got bigger, gained confidence, started banging hot girls all the time, got herpes

Alactic wrote:

QOTD:

Moby Dick wrote:

I'm kind of tired of looking like a distance runner when I'm only capable of running 17:50's.

.

Fastest running weight + 15 lbs muscle = sweet spot. You don't look like an Auschwitz survivor and can still do almost everything efficiently.

Our ancestors not only had to run down game, they had to slay it once they arrived. The typical Cro Magnon man was 6'0" and 165 lbs..

Well there it is. That's my plan. I want to bulk up a bit then return to running. The whole point I'm making is it's not like I'm a 14min 5k guy. So if I can add some definition and muscle, return to running, who cares if it's to run 17:50 or 18:30. It's not a big deal, it's still hobby jogger range. I'd just look better.

Stamina of a runner. Good one. Ever had sex son? I didn't realize aerobic capacity related to sexual prowess.

I was never a really skinny runner (6', 170) and therefore never ran very fast. People still told me I looked sick because I was so skinny. I got bored with running and started doing other things. Dabbled with many different sports/activities, but fell in love with strongman type stuff. I'm now over 200 with a little more bodyfat, but not that much. Still enjoy watching and reading about the sport of running but am bored to tears if I have to run for more than 15 minutes. To each their own.