The danger of lean muscle mass

I increased overall muscle mass of my legs, when switching to cycling. While I wasn't continuously running, I can assure you it negatively impacted my stride. Not saying the same would happen to you, but I don't believe increasing muscle mass- means a decreased 5k time.

Explain a sprinter then.

also there is no such thing as hang time, unless you have a helium balloon attached to your shorts.

All of this is nonsense wrote:

I increased overall muscle mass of my legs, when switching to cycling. While I wasn't continuously running, I can assure you it negatively impacted my stride. Not saying the same would happen to you, but I don't believe increasing muscle mass- means a decreased 5k time.

I experienced the opposite when I returned from cycling. I feel significantly more powerful while running hills (both as intervals and racing/running) and doing strides. Granted, I'm not as fast as I was ten years ago, but I'm not working nearly as hard. I'd consider the shift a net positive though I'm not training as vigorously. If I were to return I suspect the benefits would be even more apparent.

Yes, too simplistic. Greater muscle power does not have to come from greater mass - a great deal can be gained from increasing the efficiency of current muscle mass.

Thus your goals are fine, but trying to focus on gaining weight is pointless - unless you're actually more concerned about bodybuilding. Focus instead on plyometrics and other anaerobic power exercises (e.g steep hill sprints) - which may or may not increase your muscle mass but regardless will increase your power.

jaybeel wrote:

Yes, too simplistic. Greater muscle power does not have to come from greater mass - a great deal can be gained from increasing the efficiency of current muscle mass.

This. Except it isn't efficiency you are looking for, it is recruitment of fibers.

Magness:

Just reduce body fat, leave your lean muscle mass alone.

Less weight = faster 5k

chicken leg wrote:

from what I read here when a runner adds lean muscle mass

the ONLY result (all things being equal) is a slower runner.

Too simplistic??

No; this why female world-class runners(and their WRs) are so much faster than male world-class runners.

Researchh wrote:

I experienced the opposite when I returned from cycling. I feel significantly more powerful while running hills (both as intervals and racing/running) and doing strides. Granted, I'm not as fast as I was ten years ago, but I'm not working nearly as hard. I'd consider the shift a net positive though I'm not training as vigorously. If I were to return I suspect the benefits would be even more apparent.

Did you cycle full time? Or was it a mixture between the two? I have also heard from other people they feel more powerful.

The only running I do now is 30 min jogs during the offseason. Overall my biomechanics are way off, and I don't feel nearly as powerful as I did when I was running.

All of this is nonsense wrote:

Researchh wrote:

I experienced the opposite when I returned from cycling. I feel significantly more powerful while running hills (both as intervals and racing/running) and doing strides. Granted, I'm not as fast as I was ten years ago, but I'm not working nearly as hard. I'd consider the shift a net positive though I'm not training as vigorously. If I were to return I suspect the benefits would be even more apparent.

Did you cycle full time? Or was it a mixture between the two? I have also heard from other people they feel more powerful.

The only running I do now is 30 min jogs during the offseason. Overall my biomechanics are way off, and I don't feel nearly as powerful as I did when I was running.

No running whatsoever. Occasional cycling. Mostly fast urban commuting and riding BMX. I also gained about 15-20 pounds (130 --> ~150, I was very light) but still looked more or less the same.

I have had to work to re-establish the mechanics of running, but it has been a smooth transition for the most part. I feel bigger but not heavy-- granted I run maybe 30 mpw.