If you've spent any time in the fitness realm, you've probably discovered it's flaws. There are misconceptions, skewed senses of reality, imbalance and many more, but one I've been thinking about more recently is it's cliques. And before this turns me into a middle schooler complaining about exclusive friends, let me clarify what I mean.
People get into their comfort zone of preferred fitness and find identity in that label, that community, routine, clothing and never get out. If you prefer running above all else, you're a "runner" and you identify with the costly shoes, races, weekend long runs, 'track Tuesdays,' chafing, etc. Then there are the crossfitters, the yogis, the meatheads, the cyclists and spinners, and on and on it goes. The purpose of this post is to help you realize there is tangible benefit to venturing out of your 30 minute treadmill run, 20 minute weight session five days a week that hasn't changed in the past three years (or however it looks for you).
Before this sounds to preachy, I'm going to use myself as the prime example--a runner who liked to run, run, and run on the soccer field when the opportunity presented itself. The weight training I did was after my run.....if there was time.....and the weight section was open......for about 25 half-hearted minutes. I did the same exercises, same repetitions, weights, and probably looked bored to tears. And other things were just as predictable--when I got into the thick of a marathon training cycle around 40-50 miles per week, injury or nagging pain would inevitably follow. I would complain to a Physical Therapist friend who would check me out and remind me the importance of cross-training, stretching, easy runs....blah blah. (I know you runners can relate....)
Honestly, I don't know when the change started happening, but somewhere along the way I started enjoying the weights. This motivated me to research some training plans, develop a split (working different muscle groups on different days), and challenging amount of weight. It became a new challenge that wasn't a chore and I found myself looking forward to it during a run. I think it's because there are so many different exercises that can be performed--it is more mentally engaging to me now. Weight training allows you to transform your body in a way that running just can't--building shoulders, defining your core, or developing glute and hamstring muscles. Now, I still love to run, that will never change, but I have come to find a supplement that has it's own place in my routine.
You may be wondering if running has taken a hit.....and the answer is yes, in some ways. I probably don't have the mental stamina or endurance to run a 16-20 miler well right now. But let me share with you a little story of encouragement that happened last Saturday! Friday night, Drew and I were laying in bed talking about different goals and future opportunities and he randomly said, "you know, I bet you could beat your current 10k PR (personal record)." And that's all he said....sneaky. He probably knew that it would find it's way into that part of my brain that loves a challenge because the next morning I gave it a try.
Granted, I ran at the gym, so take it for what you will, but after a warm-up mile, I started the 10k getting faster and faster and finishing at 40 minutes flat! 40 (6'27 average pace per mile) was a three minute improvement over my previous fastest which was outside and included a few rolling hills (so yes, it would be close).
My point of sharing is not to brag, but to show you that there is benefit to regular, hard resistance training and that it has actually improved a completely different form of exercise. There are simply factors of fitness that running alone cannot accomplish for our muscles, and vise versa. The combination of weights and HIIT (high intensity interval training) supplemented with running has been the sweet spot for me recently, but maybe yours look completely different, that's fine too!
The purpose behind post is to challenge the label you have and relinquish some of the identity you may have developed as a result. Remember that there is balance to be had, new ways to release those endorphins that will have a profound impact on your well-roundedness (preverbiably, of course!), longevity and enjoyment as an athlete.
For anyone interested in becoming more consistent with weights, here are some excellent resources I have used from Lauren Gleisberg
DO you struggle with Fitness Ruts?
I definitely don't gravitate towards yoga or stretching and I ought to work on it.....
What's Your Favorite go-to workout routine?
Definitely a BBG (Beach Body Guide) Leg Day--it's the perfect mix of sweaty cardio and weights!