I Want To Pump You Up!

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I want to pump  you up! (said in a Schwarzenegger accent of course.) These past 2 weeks were supposed to be the official start of my Spring marathon training, but unfortunately I barely ran or worked out at all due to being sick. Before that happened, I made a pledge to myself to start strength training regularly throughout this new training session. No excuses.

No matter what, I usually get off to a great start, but eventually after 6 weeks or so, all cross training falls by the wayside. I know it’s important, but marathon training is (obviously) time consuming and tiring enough.

Minus those ‘sick weeks’, I’ve been strength training twice a week, working on upper and lower body and I’m excited to start feeling the results in my running. I’ve started to develop a little routine, where Mondays are Strength and Cross Train only and then I do my second set for the week on Thursday nights with my run in the morning.

Last training session, I nailed all of my runs. I hope to do that again with this training period, but I also want the strength training sessions to feel as important as each and every run that I do. It’s no secret that cross training in general helps prevent injuries and will work your body in different ways, so in order to keep up with my routine, I need to constantly remind myself why I want to stick with it.

Clearly this will benefit my running, but honestly, there is part of me that is motivated by the vanity reasons. I want my body to reflect the work I put into it. Marathon training changes your body, but typically it makes it a little rounder, at least for me. It’s not impossible to tone up during training, which is what I am aiming to do, as opposed to losing weight.

I have a short list of why I want to strength train:

• To prevent injuries – so many injuries are created from weak muscles, which forces other muscles to overcompensate.
• Be stronger – I’m focusing on marathons for the next couple years, it’s time gain some muscle and put my body to the test.
• Run faster – this is my number 1 reason; my main goal. Doesn’t everybody want to run fast?
• Look better – and you know, there’s that.

I am choosing to lift weights as my form of cross training because that is what works for me. There are several options out there, but strength training is actually one of the only other exercises I actually enjoy. It’s harder for me to get to a yoga class than it is to spend 30 minutes picking things up and putting them down, is that weird?

Work harder, be stronger, it’s as simple as that. My drive and determination are there, it’s time to put in the work.

What are your reasons for strength training? Are you bored, scared of injury, or do you just want to look better? Please share in the comment section below.

Author Bio: Stephanie works in the television industry, but is also the head editor of ireallylikefood. She is addicted to running races and writes about her training on her blog Epicurious Runner. She loves to eat, drink good beer, and travel with her husband. Find out more about Stephanie here and follow her on Twitter.