It is often recommended that runners do strength training in order to do more effective hill training. This is great and will help the runners greatly when it comes to hills. But is it most effective for improving overall running speed?
The answer here is maybe but most often it appears to be no. The reason for this is twofold. First you develop some of the same muscles as are used in running, but not in the same manner. In other words they are not specific to running. Read more… »
Many professional athletes use different types of running in their training. This includes hill running, sand running, sand hill running, etc. to improve their ability to run faster. In addition, they do strength exercises such as the lunge, squat, leg extensions and leg curls.
To top it off they also do core work. This is the core training developed in balance training with some simple abdominal and/or lower back exercises. This includes crunches and planks for the abdominals and superman’s for the back. Read more… »
Most coaches use hills for strengthening the muscles and/or to develop greater anaerobic capabilities. However, according to Tom McGlynn, who trains Jim Sorensen, masters world record holder for the 1500m, “Hills are aerobically intense without too much strain on the muscles and joints”.
This statement seems to contradict what seems to be common knowledge in the running community. Running up moderately steep inclined hills at a faster and faster pace as recommended is definitely anaerobic — not aerobic — although the aerobic system will come into play during recovery. Read more… »
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