gym 'n' run

gaffo7

Hi All,
I know this question has been raised before but would like some input into the issue of combining gym work and running. I am hoping to run dublin marathon for the first time this year and have very weak core and upper body strength so I have been doing work in the gym to improve this. Problem is to notice any real improvement you need to be going to gym 3 times a week and sometimes means gym in the morning and run in the evening, does gym work interfere with running do you think?, sometimes feel very heavy running after gym work.
anyway love some advice on this, thanks in advance.
gaffo.

Munster_Gal

If youi're doing upper body work in the gym and then some running I can't see why they would interfere with each other - You'll be resting your legs while working on your core

RoyMcC

gaffo7, as Munster Gal says the two are totally compatible. Why not get changed at the gym, do your run and then your gym work straight afterwards - you'll be well warmed-up anyway.

BTW if time is short I'd concentrate on the core work at the expense of the less vital upper body stuff.

gaffo7

thanks rory mc & munster gal for advice. agree that core more important than upper body so will concentrate on this.

Peckham

+1 to what the others say. Just remember that you don't want to bulk up too much as it's extra weight to carry on the run!

It's great for injury prevention if you're doing the right sort of core work. Any decent gym owner/instructor should be able to develop a running-specific programme for you. There's a book called Explosive Running, which although more aimed at sprinters and other track events, has some good gym workouts detailed in it.

As always with gyms, convenience is the key thing! If you can get one that's a short distance from home, you can incorporate a low intensity gym session into your recovery runs.

Also, don't forget that you're a runner, and in a busy week if you face a choice between dropping a run, or dropping a gym session.....then drop the gym session.

another world

I´d recommend doing your running after the gym work. Reason for this is that running can use up a lot of energy all over the body while gym work (I presume you´re talking about weights) is more particular to a certain part and you might be left a bit weaker there. This is from my experience, but I rarely perform well at strenght excercises after running, especially if you are going for highish reps.