BBB and Distance Training?

LiFeStArTs@40 · 01-19-2007, 09:56 AM

I posted this on the specialized training board, but figured this forum probably gets more action.

I'm coming off of a 5 day body part type split and starting BBB. (love the book btw) I'm in really good shape now, but I've stagnated. Anyway, I'm not a runner type, but am participating in a 15 mile run in a few months. I'm trying to balance this out with the goals of gaining lean muscle mass and fat loss. Currently, I've been doing weight training before work and then doing various (3-5mile run) steady state cardio on the way home. Typically, I've been twice a day'n it at the gym 3 days a week and sometimes doing a 3-4 mile run one day on the weekends.

My workout always have compound movements and were at a low rep/ heavy weight scheme wich is why I'm looking forward to starting BBB on Monday. Any suggestions on training on the run without hindering my BBB progress? Any help would be appreciated. Oh... if it helps, my stats are 41 years old/ 178 lbs./ ~11-12%. 1 RM's are bench 255 (down a little) / squat 295 thighs parallel/ dead 315/ and 3XBW+60 Chins.

Chris

UpNorth · 01-19-2007, 12:35 PM

I completed a marathon back in November for which I spent a year training. During this time I stayed in the gym in an attempt to maintain my strength while simultaneously improve my running. In the end I managed to maintain most of my strength (and size) but certainly not all of it. However as a result I think I didn't perform the running as well as I could have. So, can it be done? Yes, I'm proof of that, but personally I think if you do both you will do neither as well as you could.

FWIW - My stats are right about where yours are. I'm 39, 170lbs, ~12%bf with maxes right in your area.

BamaDave · 01-19-2007, 01:29 PM

Keep your diet clean and calories up to help avoid muscle loss from the running. You can train for the 15-miler pretty well on about three running workouts per week. A longer run on the weekends... building up to near your goal distance. For your two other shorter-distance runs, try to make at least one higher intensity... either high intensity intervals or a steady state "tempo" run where you ramp up to a fairly hard pace for the entire workout. Trying to actually gain mass while training for a 15-mile race might be pretty hard to do, but you can certainly maintain most of it and stay lean. You may want to periodize your goals -- stay lean/retain muscle while training for your race and then put on mass after the race.