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Gaining Muscle Mass While Running

rchugani31 Posts: 15 Joined: 2002/10/18	2002/10/18, 11:05 PM Hi everyone! I've been getting back to lifting lately and will be training for the Boston Marathon soon. Now, I'm not training to win, but just to finish. How can I set a workout where I can actually can muscle mass with my lifting and lose fat while running? I've heard so many opinions and much advice on this, but I know there has to be a way to change something so that I can do both. If you have any suggestions, please shoot them out...
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2002/10/18, 11:09 PM That is a tough thing you are trying to do. Not many marathon runners are big and muscular! Sprinters on the other hand are. That comes from short bursts of all out effort. I know a marathon runner at work, and with the way he trains for it, I don't think it is very possible for him to gain much muscle. We have had many discussions to this effect. I wish I could be more positive for you...best of luck to you.
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2002/10/19, 12:01 AM As best as I can put it, here is why I think they are so contrary. there are 2 types of muscle training, endurance and overload. Now overload is what the stimulus is to intice a muscle to grow. This means a heavy stimulus, adequate nutrition, and adequate rest. This is where the crux of the dilema you are facing comes in. I don't think you can ttrain as heavy as needed to produce overload rather than muscle exhaustion, you probably do not get adequate rest for that muscle to grow, and your caloric intake will have to probably increase somewhat dramtically for muscle gains. I am sure this will do your endurance training no good. You cannot grow from muscle endurance training, though you could run a person like me in the ground! Endurance training, think about it, if you take a 20 pound dumbbell and do enough reps, you will eventually fatigue the muscle, but no growth will occur from this type of training. Hope this helps some....
rchugani31 Posts: 15 Joined: 2002/10/18	2002/10/19, 05:37 PM I'm really interested in losing the fat from my stomach to develop abs. I normally run to get some of this accomplished, but if I actually do cut my running, what else can I do to shape my abs?
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2002/10/19, 06:01 PM Abs are a direct result of diet and ab work. But, diet is the key. You can work abs forever, but without change in diet, they will never show.Now, to address your question, cutting your running is probably not the answer for abs. Cardio can immensely help especially if you are at all having fat burning problems. To just get a "flat" stomach, basic situps and diet will get you there. If you want stomach muscles, you have to build stomach muscles. To get good abdominal muscle developement they need to be worked with weights like any other muscle. Then a proper "lean out" diet will display them. One note, if you are too skinny with no muscle size otherwise, when you "lean" out, you may find the slack jaw effect.
dpking44 Posts: 470 Joined: 2002/08/07	2002/10/20, 08:00 AM Agree with bb1fit on the endurance versus overload. Again rchagani31, as you posted on another board, there are sacrifices to consider. If you want to gain muscle, it's enticing the muscle to grow like bb1fit stated. For endurance and more gradual strength gains, cardio type workouts are good. Of course a good workout in the gym gets the heart rate up too which is having your cake and eating it too. The key for me anyway is finding that delicate balance. I used to do a cardio workout daily. I now alternate weight training one day with a cardio only workout on off days. I believe this is getting me where I want to go for my personal goals. Again, good luck. DP
rchugani31 Posts: 15 Joined: 2002/10/18	2002/10/20, 03:32 PM Thanks guys and gals...