As an example, take a guy that can rep out 225 lbs on the bench press (not super heavy, but fairly so by runner standards). I'm wondering if there are examples where somebody of that stature can throw down a time in the mid 2 hour range or less.
I realize that build is not ideal for a distance runner, but there must be outliers. Have you seen any fast long distance guys that can lift crazy heavy weights in the gym? Or is that a rock solid oxy moron?
Steve Spence
My dad at age 47 can bench 225 for at least a set still. Lifter turned runner, 5'7 150 lbs or so and he's run 3:02-3:10 like 6-8 times a year. Started running maybe 6 years ago. So if a younger guy were to be in equal shape I think mid 2 hrs for a marathon is possible.
How Falcon could have run a marathon on a whim in 2:30
I bet if there was a guy who could lift those weights and also train like a 2:30 marathon runner that he could probably run a 2:30 marathon and lift heavy weights.
Coach wrote:
How Falcon could have run a marathon on a whim in 2:30
Joe falcon
Question Mark? wrote:
My dad at age 47 can bench 225 for at least a set still. Lifter turned runner, 5'7 150 lbs or so and he's run 3:02-3:10 like 6-8 times a year. Started running maybe 6 years ago. So if a younger guy were to be in equal shape I think mid 2 hrs for a marathon is possible.
It's helpful to have short arms like a 5'7" guy might have. It also helps to not go all the way down, to arch your back like the Golden Gate Bridge, and to have your butt 5 feet off the bench. In addition move your feet!
At age 24 I was 5-9 165 and a college runner. The fact I had a legal 250 BP on one day of lifting per week was actually a hindrance to my running. But I had teammates who I whipped in 10 X 400 and 10 X 200 workouts who ran 2:30 marathons. It's certainly possible that I could have ran that fast the next year.
But who in their right mind runs a marathon unless they have a chance to win it?
Alan Webb could do 225ish and certainly could run at least 2:30
Yoked Distance Runner wrote:
As an example, take a guy that can rep out 225 lbs on the bench press (not super heavy, but fairly so by runner standards). I'm wondering if there are examples where somebody of that stature can throw down a time in the mid 2 hour range or less.
I realize that build is not ideal for a distance runner, but there must be outliers. Have you seen any fast long distance guys that can lift crazy heavy weights in the gym? Or is that a rock solid oxy moron?
I'm a relatively stocky guy for runner, but I am also pretty short. I'm 5'6" and I just weighed myself right now and weigh 157. This Saturday I ran a 15.53 road 5k. Last fall I ran a 2.36 marathon. I lift 2-3X a week. On chest days I will do a pyramid set ending with 2-3 reps at 225 or 235 and leg days my working sets for dead lifts an squats are in the 255-315 range.
So not crazy heavy weights, but not super light body weight stuff either. The caveat is that if I buckled down, ramped up the mileage and dropped to 140 lbs I could probably be a sub 15 and sub 2.30 guy.
Genetics, time and training. With the gene question all else bring equal,
I think if people learn the cycles and ins and outs of running and weight lifting training they can do both, but it must be progressed slowly and it takes long long time. To do naturally with mediocre/normal genetics. I can't really make big gains in either unless I focus one at a time mostly. To stay injury free and recover in weight lifting focus or run focus demands complete servitude. All the fitness activities serve "power" or "run".
Gotta stagger those cycles right
No way Jose...a 225 benchpress & a sub-2:30 marathon? (at least not clean). Every marathon runner I've seen run sub-2:30 has no upper body. If they're short (> 5-9) they go 120-130 lbs, maybe a rare 140-145 lbs. If they go over 5-9, they're still in 130 - 140 range. To run under 2:30, excess upper body mass & muscle would be a hindrance...who could have imagined?
There are some bodybuilder/powerlifting types that run some decent times for much shorter distances (i.e., 5k or less). But their times for the longer distances aren't very fast and seldom go under 3 hrs in the marathon.
Thunder Thighs wrote:
No way Jose...a 225 benchpress & a sub-2:30 marathon? (at least not clean). Every marathon runner I've seen run sub-2:30 has no upper body. If they're short (> 5-9) they go 120-130 lbs, maybe a rare 140-145 lbs. If they go over 5-9, they're still in 130 - 140 range. To run under 2:30, excess upper body mass & muscle would be a hindrance...who could have imagined?
There are some bodybuilder/powerlifting types that run some decent times for much shorter distances (i.e., 5k or less). But their times for the longer distances aren't very fast and seldom go under 3 hrs in the marathon.
https://www.liftheavyrunlong.com/50-400-club/
I am amazed at the people on here! It's not possible to cheat on your time in a run (although you could lie, you would be aware of it) but people are not always aware that it matters HOW you lift the weight.
It does not count if you do halfsies, move your feet, have your butt and back off the bench and etc. The same thing is true of pushups. It's possible, people, to cheat and actually think you did X number of pushups. People are that dumb or egotistical!
This is also very true of pull-ups or chin ups (and there is a difference between those two exercises ...let me tell you what. Squats, deadlifts, etc. In fact almost every lift you could think of it's possible to cheat and think you are not!!!
Doubtful Pre Doubtful wrote:
I am amazed at the people on here! It's not possible to cheat on your time in a run (although you could lie, you would be aware of it) but people are not always aware that it matters HOW you lift the weight.
It does not count if you do halfsies, move your feet, have your butt and back off the bench and etc. The same thing is true of pushups. It's possible, people, to cheat and actually think you did X number of pushups. People are that dumb or egotistical!
This is also very true of pull-ups or chin ups (and there is a difference between those two exercises ...let me tell you what. Squats, deadlifts, etc. In fact almost every lift you could think of it's possible to cheat and think you are not!!!
No need to repeat this same old montra from the OP. I strictly follow Arnold's routine. His whole-body free weight routine when he was in his prime was second to none. I also like his routine now with machines that is more conducive to the aging body (it's good stuff for the old bucks that want to lift).
When it comes to proper lifting technique & form, Arnold be da man! 💪
https://youtu.be/DBXOzTqv7wIThunder Thighs wrote:
No way Jose...a 225 benchpress & a sub-2:30 marathon? (at least not clean). Every marathon runner I've seen run sub-2:30 has no upper body. If they're short (> 5-9) they go 120-130 lbs, maybe a rare 140-145 lbs. If they go over 5-9, they're still in 130 - 140 range. To run under 2:30, excess upper body mass & muscle would be a hindrance...who could have imagined?
Yes way Jose. Alan Webb is an example of someone that could easily have done 225 and sub 2:30 marathon. Do you not know who Alan Webb is?
Also, 120 lbs bodyweight is more than enough to bench 225 lbs. Any decent powerlifter can do that. Many highschool wrestlers can do that. If you weigh less than 140 pounds and can lift that much weight, then you have no hindering excess upper body mass. You are very lean and have a strength to weight ratio that neutralizes all of the additional muscle.
well i know a guy who was a marine who ran a 15:43 5k and was 5'9'' and 165lbs. could squat like 350..
kindafast wrote:
well i know a guy who was a marine who ran a 15:43 5k and was 5'9'' and 165lbs. could squat like 350..
You and strideitout need to see my previous posts about stupidity and cheating in the weight room. There are many people who do not even know they cheat!
stride it out wrote:
Thunder Thighs wrote:No way Jose...a 225 benchpress & a sub-2:30 marathon? (at least not clean). Every marathon runner I've seen run sub-2:30 has no upper body. If they're short (> 5-9) they go 120-130 lbs, maybe a rare 140-145 lbs. If they go over 5-9, they're still in 130 - 140 range. To run under 2:30, excess upper body mass & muscle would be a hindrance...who could have imagined?
Yes way Jose. Alan Webb is an example of someone that could easily have done 225 and sub 2:30 marathon. Do you not know who Alan Webb is?
Also, 120 lbs bodyweight is more than enough to bench 225 lbs. Any decent powerlifter can do that. Many highschool wrestlers can do that. If you weigh less than 140 pounds and can lift that much weight, then you have no hindering excess upper body mass. You are very lean and have a strength to weight ratio that neutralizes all of the additional muscle.
In addition I have seen it multiple times where guys come in with a lifting partner. They load up the bench with 380 or so. One guy "lifts," and the other guy "assists," him. Sometimes you wonder who is actually lifting more weight!
How much you want to bet some of those lifters go home and claim to have bench pressed 380!
Rolling_Dice wrote:
Yoked Distance Runner wrote:As an example, take a guy that can rep out 225 lbs on the bench press (not super heavy, but fairly so by runner standards). I'm wondering if there are examples where somebody of that stature can throw down a time in the mid 2 hour range or less.
I realize that build is not ideal for a distance runner, but there must be outliers. Have you seen any fast long distance guys that can lift crazy heavy weights in the gym? Or is that a rock solid oxy moron?
I'm a relatively stocky guy for runner, but I am also pretty short. I'm 5'6" and I just weighed myself right now and weigh 157. This Saturday I ran a 15.53 road 5k. Last fall I ran a 2.36 marathon. I lift 2-3X a week. On chest days I will do a pyramid set ending with 2-3 reps at 225 or 235 and leg days my working sets for dead lifts an squats are in the 255-315 range.
So not crazy heavy weights, but not super light body weight stuff either. The caveat is that if I buckled down, ramped up the mileage and dropped to 140 lbs I could probably be a sub 15 and sub 2.30 guy.
Then there is the guy on the leg press. He loads it with plate after plate until he gets to 700 pounds or so. Then he lifts it 3 inches. The worst is when he goes around the weight room and makes fun of people lifting "only," 350!
Did you see the video of the guy who had one of his legs collapse from doing something similar to what I just described. Theys alotta very intellijint people. The thing is with running it's a bit harder to not know how fast you went.
Yoked Distance Runner wrote:
As an example, take a guy that can rep out 225 lbs on the bench press (not super heavy, but fairly so by runner standards). I'm wondering if there are examples where somebody of that stature can throw down a time in the mid 2 hour range or less.
I realize that build is not ideal for a distance runner, but there must be outliers. Have you seen any fast long distance guys that can lift crazy heavy weights in the gym? Or is that a rock solid oxy moron?
I used to lift with a guy who claimed to have ran a 4:07 mile. He could stay with me pound for pound in the bench press. But he only brought the bench down about halfway. (No he was younger than me and there was nothing wrong with his shoulders those of you who are morons in the weight room.)
So much for honesty among runners in the weight room!
I just love this thread because it gives me a chance to vent about something that is very common among lifters and non-lifters alike!
Beware the guy who says he did 100 pushups!
Doubtful