Have you had any success with muscle-building and strength programs for ultra-marathoners and endurance athletes?
I am currently training an ultra-marathoner who runs more than 50k per week. Her main goal is to build strength and gain muscle definition. Nutrition plays a massive role, obviously, and I’m wondering if any of you have had success with this type of situation? Cutting back on the distance running is not an option. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Hi Aimee,
I am a runner myself and train other runners with goals to increase strength and muscle definition.
You’re right that nutrition will play a huge role in this, especially the muscle definition part. Muscle definition will improve by eating a healthier diet, as well as incorporating exercises that work the upper body and core.
Increasing strength can be done without reducing the mileage as long as they stick to a consistent strength training program.
If the client wants to increase muscle size then it can be difficult to do so while running high mileage. 50k/week should be manageable though as long as the client is really focused on eating A LOT.
Nick Palladino
www.palladinopt.com