@jared280 If you are looking to compete, it doesn't really. Much better off doing specific strength work focussed on injury prevention, rather than a generic programme which doesn't necessarily address the issues a running strength programme needs to tackle, and puts on unnecessary muscle (and therefore weight) where you don't want it. You've also got the issue that a Crossfit coach needs to understand that it is supplemental to your running training, rather than the main priority, and based on what you have said it sounds like yours did not.
I do think there is maybe an argument that Crossfit is better than no strength training (assuming the weight gain is kept to a minimum), but compared to a specific programme? Nah.
@jared280 I’m almost the exact same setup. Cross country runner and soccer from 5 until today(35). I have been doing CrossFit for the last 8 years, and I run ultras. My take on this is that CrossFit keeps all your muscles firing. From a HIIT standpoint, you’re V02 max, lactate threshold are doing to be much higher than just running alone.
@jared280 I read a study about how if runners substituted half their workouts for CrossFit workouts, their running was just as great and they had added benefits such as strength and muscle growth compared to the control running group.
You’ll have to look out the study though, cuz I’m too lazy to do it this morning.
@jared280 Don't agree with doing CrossFit workout before long distance runs. I have run nothing like on a professional or collegiate level and I'm not going to the Games anytime soon. However, I hadn't run in 5 months before last week and when I did, I PR'd my 5k time having done nothing but CrossFit for cardio over the past 5 months. It's not the first time it has happened either. I think there's a time and a place for CrossFit but it's definitely not before a 6-miler
@jared280 CrossFit can benefit running but your coach implemented it completely wrong.
I used to do a lot of triathlons but wanted to get back into weightlifting so I started CrossFit. I was getting sick of the long bike rides and long runs. I found CrossFit Endurance, which is now something else. I incorporated CrossFit into training and did a Half Ironman, at about the same pace, but with about half the swimming, biking and running during training. I also recovered faster after that race.
The running part should be several hours after the CrossFit part. You also shouldn’t be killing yourself during the workout since that isn’t the goal.
@jared280 I run ultra distances, generally 50 mile races. I started CrossFit a few years ago to prevent injury, so in the beginning I was going 2-3 times a week and replacing my shorter weekday runs with a workout. Now I just go on leg day and do some kettlebell stuff at home on other days and anecdotally that seems to work for me, but I think CrossFit introduced me to weightlifting and functional fitness in a helpful way since I had never done a sport with much lifting and before CrossFit I was only running
@jared280 I ran for quite awhile before I started CrossFit. I used to run 3-4 days a week, didn’t do any other strength training. I started CrossFit because I was bored of running. I kept running, but usually only once a week. I did that for about a year.
I’m currently 6 weeks out from a marathon. I can absolutely say, without the shadow of a doubt, that CrossFit has improved my running. It’s improved my long distance ability, as well as my ability to recover.
Now, if you’re running heavily (35+mpw), you’ll have to limit your CrossFit. It’s really hard to distance run on tired legs.
Feel free to ask any questions. I’ve done both together for a little over a year now.
@jared280 It would not benefit long distance runners. CrossFit is generalization training. You can do a lot of stuff at an okay level and that will actually bring down your ability to perform at a high level in a specific niche area of fitness.
Long distance running is a niche specialized sport. If you get better at it you have to have trade offs becoming less overall generally fit to excel at the specialty. Same for weightlifters - they can lift really heavy weights and can’t run extremely long distances because they made trade offs.
CrossFit would make a specialist a better generalist and a worse specialist.
@jared280 Crossfit slowly shows the 'long-distance runner' how terrible long distance running is, and encourages other paths to fitness (ex: crossfit) that are 20x more enjoyable that running. /s of course, LOL
@jared280 There isn't really a carry over as you're using different energy systems, I guess maybe it will help with some super long partner wods but they're 2 quite different types of exercises
