Too much mass for a runner? When to stope weightlifting.

Ever heard of Chris Solinsky or David Rudisha?

Yeah, we actually discussed them. Coach says Rudisha is a freak of running, and most elite distance runners are 2 lbs to the inch. Standing at 75 inches, there's no chance I get to or even want to hit 150 lbs.

What is your body fat percent?

6.4 % body fat and that was taken at the beginning of the season. Little has changed since then, so I assume I am still in the mid sixes.

BigDawg33 wrote:

6.4 % body fat and that was taken at the beginning of the season. Little has changed since then, so I assume I am still in the mid sixes.

I highly doubt you are that, but if you are anywhere near 10% do not loose anymore weight.

Sounds like you have elevated testosterone and probably toxic masculinity. I'd start watching MSNBC and consuming more soy and IPA's.

Hahaha, I'm gonna give this one a shot.

I get that response occasionally haha. But I'm not just making up crap, our athletic trainers have skin calipers that they use on the athletes. They're all pretty good at it, but hey, you never know. It's also not the most accurate way to measure I know, but I think it can't be that far off. If I ever get access to Hydrostatic weighing I'll let you know.

I read a report on a recent study regarding strength vs bulk for lifting (I believe it was somewhat targeted at runners). Apparently strength improvements were similar for each group in the study. The different groups did differing numbers of sets to failure, from 1 to 3 sets if I remember correctly. The 1-set group did not add mass, but the 2- and 3-set groups did (with 3-set adding the most mass). Gains in strength were similar.

I'd guess you can be pretty darn fast at that height/weight (honestly exactly where I'm at right now, but you're probably much stronger than me currently, because I have not lifted at all in the last year). I am not fast, but I hope to be moderately respectable eventually (really only have 3 months of running under my belt). Apparently greater mass can lead to greater running economy, but I have no idea what's "ideal" especially at shorter distances:

http://fellrnr.com/wiki/The_Science_of_Running_Economy#Body_weight_and_fat_percentage

Here's a link to the NYT article on the study. I wasn't 100% correct on the details, but the basic idea was accurate enough. Maybe share it with your coach, and you two can compromise? You can maintain some strength while the running/endurance training will maybe lead to a net loss in weight:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/12/well/move/in-a-hurry-try-express-weight-training.html

Thanks for linking me to this man. Immediately forwarded it to some of my teammates. Finally an article that supports the gibberish that comes out of my mouth!

Oops, I was mistaken - all three groups got bigger. The 1-set group got the least-bigger, though, with the same strength improvements.

Here's some more from the American College of Sports Medicine. It's a little harder to read than the NYT article, but hey, you're in college, get used to it. Lots of pertinent info/recommendations:

https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/2009/03000/Progression_Models_in_Resistance_Training_for.26.aspx

You don't want to clash with your coach, but depending on your training in the weight room, he may see it was preventive maintenance and he may have a point, and if you're training with a lot of volume and in the 8-15 rep range, that will surely add bodybuilding mass the next couple years. 18-22ish, your Testosterone is roaring. Quitting the weight room altogether is just stupid, but train specific for running strength and efficiency. I am a big believer in the weight room for runners, but functional running strength won't come from 5x10 bench press and heavy leg press. There are a lot of great articles online and videos on youtube that can give you further insight. The weight room will keep you healthy, but if done correctly. Best of luck to ya.

BigDawg33 wrote:

I get that response occasionally haha. But I'm not just making up crap, our athletic trainers have skin calipers that they use on the athletes. They're all pretty good at it, but hey, you never know. It's also not the most accurate way to measure I know, but I think it can't be that far off. If I ever get access to Hydrostatic weighing I'll let you know.

Those aren't accurate. You're probably 10%, maybe 8% bodyfat.

I mean I wouldn't be surprised, I'm a distance runner, not a bodybuilder. Anything 10% and under I'd be happy with.

I believe his biggest concern is as a freshman I'm doing more mileage than I've ever done while trying to be in the weight room. Even though I'm getting plenty of sleep, keeping up on my schoolwork, and feeling healthy, I believe he's worried about overexertion. I think it's definitely a coaching style though, seeing that most of the freshman and even upperclassman don't focus on weight really at all. There's no enforced weight program which is also a bother to me.

BigDawg33 wrote:

I mean I wouldn't be surprised, I'm a distance runner, not a bodybuilder. Anything 10% and under I'd be happy with.

Wrong mindset, anything under 10% is dangerous and is to be avoided for extended periods of time.

What's your 1RM for squat, deadlift and overhead press?