As a coach, I know all the benefits of incorporating strength training into endurance training. As a coach I know all of these things, which makes me question, why did I not think these things applied to me as well. I have been out of the triathlon racing game as an athlete since Covid. This year, I decided to jump back on the wagon.
I went back to the basics and got into the gym. For me, this was the best place to start. Yes, the swim, bike, and run would come, but I knew that I needed to build some strength first. I am my own worst critic when it comes to my performance. I was worried I would go out for a run and it would be “to hard” and I would quit. Welp, that was not at all the case and I owe it all to strength training.
Thanks to strength training…
- I had increased muscular endurance. This meant that my muscles were READY. I went out and was expecting immediate muscle fatigue. I experienced shock and awe when my body felt strong with each stride of the run and each push of the pedal.
- My run felt efficient. I am always mindful to try and keep form when running, and it was EASY to do. I felt like my body could hold the same stride throughout the run without getting fatigued and dropping arms or having a poor gait. Good form also helps prevent injuries.
- The test run, not to be confused with a run test lol, was on a treadmill because I was worried that I would tire quickly and did not want to be far out and not have the energy to run back. Again, shocked when my body felt like I could keep cranking out miles. The reduction in fatigue I achieved through strength training was incredible.
- Y’all, what took me by surprise the most was my ability to go FAST! When I was feeling good, I inserted a few pickups into my run, and WOW! They almost felt effortless. While there was no way I could maintain that speed long distance, I was able to push sub-8-minute miles! I attribute this to the strength I built that helped propel me forward. This has also been fruitful and translated to my bike as well.
Strength training was how I was first introduced to endurance sports, but that is content for another blog post. 😊 I truly believe that strength training helped to build me into the athlete I am today. Not only from the benefits above but also for my mental sanity. There is something about being able to lift heavy things that can really give you a sense of power!
Don’t have access to a gym or weights? No problem! Your body IS a weight. There are many strength and conditioning videos and tutorials available on YouTube or online. If you have a coach, talk to them about your strength training options and how to incorporate them into your plan! Don’t have a coach? Reach out to us at Sonic and learn how we can help you reach your goals!
