Weight Training for Distance Runners?

[Cowhead418]

I've been skinny all my life and I've recently decided to do something about it. I made it a goal to gain 20 pounds in muscle mass. Right now I am 5'8 and 128 pounds. But is it really worth it to bulk up?

The reason I ask this is because I am a committed distance runner. I run 5-7 miles per day seven days a week. I've read that combining distance running and bulking up is not a good idea. Last year I broke the sophomore record for the mile at my high school (4:39) and my goal this year is to qualify for the state meet. Even though I know bulking up is not the right path to take, I know that weight training can still help me become faster.

What kind of weight training is right for someone like me? I know that strengthening my legs should be the top priority, and that lower weight with a high amount of reps should be used in order to build endurance. Is there anything else I can do to gain weight while also improving my running ability? I'm tired of being a twig but I also don't want to detract from my ultimate goal of making the state meet.

 

[Cowhead418]

Yeah, I'm convinced that I shouldn't bulk up. My running ability is far more important to me than how skinny I am at the moment. I was just tired of how weak I am, and I wanted to improve my strength. Also, although 128 pounds may seem extremely skinny, my body type actually makes it look like I have an average build.

 

[MrS]

7 miles 7 days a week?
Your joints will be jelly by the time you're 30, man!
Unless you're running on something like sand.

 

[Cowhead418]

7 miles 7 days a week?
Your joints will be jelly by the time you're 30, man!
Unless you're running on something like sand.

Well, actually right now its more like an average of 5 miles a day Monday-Saturday, and then I either take Sunday off or go easy. But I am worried about my joints in the future, because I've heard about some runners having to get knee replacements in their 40s.

 

[seanchai]

I think Arthur Lydiard wrote about weight training in his famous "Run to the Top." Maybe check that out.