Long Distance Runners Need Muscle?

[Magik]

Listen I have a friend on track with me who does running (I throw), long distance specifically, and sometimes Ill train with him despite the fact that I always trail behind by a lot and get worn out first but I do it because it helps. However when I hit weights he refuses to lift because he says if he bulks up he'll be a lot slower on the track and in the ring (Muay Thai Kickboxing) and I tell him that the muscle will help so which one of us is right? He weighs about 130 pounds and measures 5' 10" he maxes at 95 pounds on bench and thats all hes ever tried. If you ask me i think hes afraid to hit weights because hes weak but I run with him even though I barely keep up so it shouldnt matter or are there really truth to his words, can bulking up make you slower? His events are the 800M and the Mile.

[Glockwork3]

well everyone needs muscle, but longdistance runners will normally be skinny and have a lot less muscle than someone who throws or a non-long distance event. Havent you noticed that all the good long distance runners are very skinny and lean? Muscle weighs more than fat so they dont need muscle to run fast with their body frame and the long runs..

[Taekwondo Guy]

long distance runners have a greater % of slow twitch muscle fibres, they dont need bulk.

sprinters: need fast twitch hence their size

marathon runners: need slow twitch hence their lack of size

I'm 180lbs and i fight no heavier footed than the lighter guys, its all about footwork and flexability... i'm aiming for 200-210lbs

[Blueice]

Theres a long distance runner whose goal is to run for 300 miles straight. So far hes made about 260 straight or close to that. The reason why people think hes able to do it is not only because hes in great condition but because he is pretty muscular it prevents him from getting injured. Look it up and take it as you will. Muscle will probably enhance your performance, no matter what your doing.

Edit. Found a link. http://www.thenorthface.com/na/athle...hletes-DK.html

[hathy477]

well since bbing and long distance running are pretty much mutually exclusive i'm gonna guess i'm one the few if the only former distance runner in here. i ran XC in high school (only senior year but i was able to get very good in a short amount of time and i learned a great deal from some awesome coaches who really lived for the sport)

less muscle will certainly help you in distance running simply because less muscle=less weight to carry around, especially upper boddy weight

you might think that your arms dont get very tired from distance running but upper body is a lot of running however, endurance strength and form are far more important than the bulk strength one would get from lifting the weights the way we all do in here

on a side note, i could bench the most on my XC team but i was definitely not the best runner on the team

its more the lungs, heart, legs and most importantly the masochism it takes to be a distance runner