Long-distance running & building muscle...

B

bhindibhagee

0
Currently I do a 3-4 mile run 5 days a week then 6 miles on sunday.

However, I am also, and have been for about 7-8 months, trying to build muscle mass and I just read a thread in this forum suggesting that running actually eats away muscle mass which is something i'd never considered before.

In the thread i was reading, HIT was mentioned as an alternative, but as i do the long distance running for enjoyment rather than weight-loss purposes this does not appeal that much.

I was just wondering if anyone could either tell me or point me in the direction of some information on just how incompatible long-distance running and building muscle mass are?

Also, if it is the case that running eats away at muscle mass, is it possible to tell where abouts you will lose muscle, as in will it just be in the legs or is it all over?

Many thanks
 
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sorry i cant give you a good answer but bumping up for hopefully someone who can to see.

ppl always compare long distance runners to sprinters and the dramatic difference in their physical appearance. how are you shaped, long arms and legs and a thin appearance?
 
abear said:
how are you shaped, long arms and legs and a thin appearance?
Click to expand...

weight: 178 lbs, for which i don't have a fat % but am sure it's a low percentage as i cannot feel any fat on me really and there's quite a lot of muscle about..
height: 6ft 3ins (which i think works out at 190cm)

so i don't think that's the build of a typical long-distance runner, but i am concerned that if i carry on without a good workout routine to match that i'll lose all this and turn into that build..
 
I'm affraid I can't give you the response you want either. I do know that much of what you are talking about will be effected by your diet. If you are eating the right things at the right time, you can lessen your bodys feeding on muscle, but as far as specifics, you will need someone more knowlegable.

Good luck.
 
well, its real tough to gain muscle mass while running distance. not impossible, but not easy. back when i was in high school, i ran middle to long distance in track (400m-1600m), and in practice, we would run at least 4 or 5 miles a day. I also started lifting weights my senior year, and saw little to no mass gain. i had a strength gain, but nothing huge...anyway, after the track season was over, i continued to lift 3-4 times a week, and ran only 2-3 times. i kept the runs short (2-3 miles, occasionally threw in a 5 miler) and easy. this was not in an effort to build mass, its just that i found that i enjoyed lifting more than running. that summer after the spring track season, my weight just exploded. i was about 160 pounds at the end of the season, 178 by fall, and 195 by mid winter. also, most of the gain was muscle.

Anyway, my point is, running a whole lot does hinder mass gain...however, if you want to gain mass, you dont have to give up running altogether, in fact you should by all means continue cardiovascular activity. you may have to step down the volume a bit in order to gain mass. how much? i dont really know. all i can give you is my experience, and everyone different body tolerances.

bear in mind that they do conflict on some levels, but that doesnt mean you cant get away with both, as long as you properly manage the volume of both activities. the only other tip i would have if you want to lift and run: eat a whole hell of a lot...
 
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