2026 Strength Training Accountability Thread

[SheHulk]

Fairly typical upper body day yesterday. The numbers on the elliptical looked like a fairly standard higher intensity day, but my watch read it as more vigorous than normal. I think that could be tied to the extra allergy meds I took that had me wired. I added a little bit of extra weight/reps to a few things but nothing too crazy. I did revisit the elevate core machine towards the end and tried it at a more challenging angle. I had to cut my sets in half but I got in some decent work. Part of the problem was sweat. It's been so humid here (99% when I put in my miles this morning) that my sweaty legs were slipping off of the pad and I was having a hard time keeping my grip...even with repeatedly using my towel. Either way, I see the boost in angle as advancement. I supplemented with three sets in the captain's chair at the end because of the cut sets and sweatiness.

Dang you are a machine!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Dang you are a machine!

All I can say is that it helps with my sanity and it's kept me from the IT Band issues I've experienced in past mileage endeavors. Ok...that, and it makes me feel better about the Easter candy that's been a steady part of my diet for the last few weeks.

 

[michigandergirl]

I just found this thread! I am terribly inconsistent with any and all strength & mobility and I need accountability! I can't start anything new right now as I'm nearing my marathon taper, but I plan to start in May. So I'll just lurk here for a bit...

 

[SheHulk]

30 min arms this morning, and I also threw in a few sets of these dead bugs and bird dogs I've been hearing about the past 10 years! Not my favorite but not as bad as I thought it would be

 

[TiggerTrigger]

30 min arms this morning, and I also threw in a few sets of these dead bugs and bird dogs I've been hearing about the past 10 years! Not my favorite but not as bad as I thought it would be

I had to go onto YouTube and look for "dead bugs." To think I've been doing variations on these all these years and never knew it had names!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Last night was unconventional night at the gym. Elliptical was really strong, but the darn thing reset itself when I was 23 minutes in. I don't know exactly how far I went. I was really distracted and kept losing count on everything involving reps. I suspect I did an extra set of plank flows and an extra set on the back extension because my brain was off in la-la-land. Softball tonight instead of tomorrow due to the holiday, so today is a gym break day. Probably a good thing because my miles were not fun this morning. Among other not so fun things, we have officially hit that part of spring where flying things want to bite me. A rest is totally needed! Happy Thursday!

 

[nancipants]

Yesterday was strength day. I usually do my workout after lunch, but what I thought would be a quick phone call turned into a two hour ordeal. I really was not in the mood to do my workout after my son went to bed, but I forced myself while watching a YouTube video to distract me.

 

[BradleyCB]

I forgot to check in yesterday! I opted for a 30 minute full body class yesterday morning. One of my favorite instructors released a new class using a bench. The final circuit included Copenhagen planks.... But this instructor gave a beginner version to try, and it worked! I have this class flagged to retake it so I can build up to the full version down the road.

 

[Dopey 2020]

Friday check in - another good week, just finished 37 min full body, going to recover while I take care of some inside house chores, then 10 miles with some speed work at the end for fun. This is my peak week (50 miles) so I’m thrilled to have stuck with the strength sessions as scheduled. One more long run Monday then taper the running, I’ll back off on weights when we head down to Springtime Surprise but stick with some crunches and push-ups down there to maintain the habit.

 

[SheHulk]

Friday check in - another good week, just finished 37 min full body, going to recover while I take care of some inside house chores, then 10 miles with some speed work at the end for fun. This is my peak week (50 miles) so I’m thrilled to have stuck with the strength sessions as scheduled. One more long run Monday then taper the running, I’ll back off on weights when we head down to Springtime Surprise but stick with some crunches and push-ups down there to maintain the habit.

I hope you see a benefit to the strength training, if you are gunning for a time! If you're peaking at 50 miles for a 10 mi I'm going to guess maybe you are...

 

[Dopey 2020]

I hope you see a benefit to the strength training, if you are gunning for a time! If you're peaking at 50 miles for a 10 mi I'm going to guess maybe you are...

I am indeed, SS is going to be easy taper runs for me, running Jim Thorpe Marathon in PA the following week. I have noticed a huge benefit in my five mile runs and speed work from strength training but my long runs still have me concerned, I definitely feel like I have a hydration/fuel issue.
I was actually going to ask if anyone else notices a cardio benefit. I have a pretty high HR compared to most, I can run for a long time and hold a very comfortable conversation running at 165, my usual race HR averages 180+, that’s a main reason I RWR. I’ve noticed that when I do strength workouts - using multiple muscle groups at once more so than isolating groups - my HR is lower, say 150 but wayyyy more pronounced. I sometimes feel like I’ve sprinted a couple hundred meters and will take a break between sets. I’m amazed at the amount of O2 my body needs compared to running. In just the two months or so of sticking with it, I can lift more weight or do more reps before I hit that feeling so I have to believe this is a reason I’m getting faster.

 

[SheHulk]

I am indeed, SS is going to be easy taper runs for me, running Jim Thorpe Marathon in PA the following week. I have noticed a huge benefit in my five mile runs and speed work from strength training but my long runs still have me concerned, I definitely feel like I have a hydration/fuel issue.
I was actually going to ask if anyone else notices a cardio benefit. I have a pretty high HR compared to most, I can run for a long time and hold a very comfortable conversation running at 165, my usual race HR averages 180+, that’s a main reason I RWR. I’ve noticed that when I do strength workouts - using multiple muscle groups at once more so than isolating groups - my HR is lower, say 150 but wayyyy more pronounced. I sometimes feel like I’ve sprinted a couple hundred meters and will take a break between sets. I’m amazed at the amount of O2 my body needs compared to running. In just the two months or so of sticking with it, I can lift more weight or do more reps before I hit that feeling so I have to believe this is a reason I’m getting faster.

I am very interested to hear a report about that Jim Thorpe marathon! I don't love small distance races without a lot of crowd support, but so many people around here run it. I hope you post a race report somewhere and i hope you do great!

I don't know about a cardio benefit, but the biggest benefit I see for strength training, in published research papers, when I look into it, is an increase in running economy (which I desperately need). I may not be lifting heavy enough weights because I never get my HR very high at all when I am strength training.

 

[BradleyCB]

Friday check in. I ended up doing a core class followed by an upper body class this morning.

@Dopey 2020 , the one thing I have noticed is my HR drastically increases when my strength classes are circuit based instead of traditional sets. Some of those leaving me gasping for air between rounds. Best of luck on your two upcoming races!!

 

[marty3d]

End of week check in - completed all 3 planned workouts this week (and 4/5 runs with my long run planned for tomorrow morning).