Marathon Running

[O Snap]

I like to consider myself in shape, and i like new challenges in my life. A friend of mine and myself want to run a marathon next year(1 year to train for it).

I was just wondering how i can make sure i dont turn into one of those skinny marathon runners.(Basically improve my run without losing muscle mass). Is it just cardio and weigh lifting?

Thanks guys

 

[ryan killa]

Hey, I used to run alot.....

You will probably lose a few pounds, mostly fat, if you still eat a lot of protein, etc.

If I were you, I would at least eat a SLIGHT bit more to make up for the lost calories.

And it doesn't sound like you want to do AMAZING in the run, more like complete it, but keep in mind that if you are over 160, it WILL affect you alot.

Trust me, I am am 17, and was a serious runner, and I STILL got injured at like 130lbs.

Also, the extra weight will slow you down, so think about that.

But then, thats a bit off topic

 

[shrewd]

The more explosive power your body has, the harder it will be to run long distances. Not saying it can't be done, but it's extremely difficult to have a body that can run a marathon AND lift large amounts of weight. To get anywhere near marathon shape, if you want to run it non stop will require lots and lots of long distance running, goes quite beyond cardio i'm afraid lol. Personally i have never done one but both my mother and father did and they would run for hours on end (3-4+) just to get in shape.

Just don't expect to look like arnold and be running marathons at the same time.

 

[O Snap]

i dont want to look buff, and i am not buff to say in the least(not skinny, but somewhere in between.) I just do not want to look like the skinny little marathon runners, even though i know that repeptitve muscle treatment shrinks muscles.

Just wondering if anybody has ever ran a marathon, and while training for one, lost muscle mass in other areas.

Thanks for the posts guys...helps out a lot.

 

[Easy Tiger]

You don't have to lose muscle mass but it will depend on your goals.

I ran three marathons without losing too much body mass, but then I ran them damn slowly - all around 3h30min. I am 6'2 and at the time I weighed about 185 to 190 down from about 200 when I was just lifting and not running long. While training for the marathon I kept lifting in between long runs and other training.

The key is to up the calories and ensure that your protein to carbs ratio is high. This will give you the energy to complete the long runs, and targeted protein consumption will allow you to maintain muscle mass when you lift. When you do this you will be more cut than you can believe - all that cardio and punishment just carves your legs out like crazy.

However, if you want to run quicker than 3 hours, I think you would probably need to lift less and run more. You do see some Clydes running sub 3, but they are the exception rather than the rule.

 

[O Snap]

Thanks a lot tiger... I am 6'4 a little over 200, so i am already thin, and dont need to be thinner . I dont want to drop to the 180 level, so that was what was holding me back.

 

[dastal]

this might be a little off topic, but how much running is required for a marathon material? I do three miles in 22 minutes 4-5 days a week. My route is pretty hilly, by the way.

YOu cannot get grotesquely huge, but it is unimportant. I have a fair definition, but am a little on the thin side. I do some moderate lifting, but not the heavy lifting in DIESEL's guide. Im happy. You should have seen me a year ago.

 

[Easy Tiger]

Again, how much running required to finish a marathon depends on your goals.

You could probably finish a marathon in under five hours off 30 miles a week. You would need to get up to about 16 - 18 miles on your long run though. This will enable you to finish without too much damage and maybe a little walking. Good runners though can run between 50 - 80 miles a week in prep for a marathon, and the top line runners are running between 100 and 140 miles per week.