running and overtraining

[elvn]

I searched this one in the archives but came up with nothing. Does anyone think that if you run consistently and weight train legs that there is the potential to overtrain?
I like running and this is my cardio of choice but I wonder if I am overdoing it. I'm not looking to put on size in my legs, which even if I tried I swear I can't do, just have nice hard muscles.
It just seems running makes my legs sore and then I train them alternateing b/t 1x/2x/ week every other week.

 

[gopro]

Yes the legs can easily become overtrained by running alot and training with resistance movements as well. If you were trying to add size to your legs, this would be a definite no-no. However, in your case you can find a balance between the two. The only problem you may face is an overuse injury. Just be smart about it and you should be ok.

 

[Arnold]

I think that too much cardio/running will hinder your gains.

 

[bevan]

running training/overtraining

Definitely need rest days and no aim of mass increase you should be fine

 

[bevan]

An afterthought, try biking and or swimming to vary your cardio workout and see what happens

 

[Chalcedony]

you need to vary your workout anyways becuase after a certain time you muscles get use to it and you will not be getting any kind of benefit from doing your workout....

 

[bevan]

How many times a week are you running and how far in total per week???

 

[Scotty the Body]

I think as long as your not running on leg training day, you will still be able to gain, sometimes a good "lite" run the day after leg day can help recovery, gets the blood flowing.

I use to think I would never put mas on my legs but once I cut back the running on my leg day and the day after, I started to put some size on, so train smart and you'll do it to.

 

[diezel]

it doesn't matter really what kind of exercises your doing,excess cardio is too much for your whole body...so in reality your probably hindering any increases in size thruout your whole body...too much cardio=too many calories lost. if your gonna run i think then you should eat a lot more

 

[appjax]

Hi everyone-
I have a similar problem when it comes to cardio. It's almost like I can't help myself. I have been doing 2 fairly intensive cardio sessions per day for about 40 minutes per session at a minimum of 5X per week. I am lean but I really can't say that I like the way I look because I seem to hold everything right in my mid-section...not fat just looks kind of bloated(gross I know). I do lift weights making sure I work every body part at least once a week.

I have decided to try the Body for Life program thinking I really don't have anything to lose by trying. I'm not getting the results I want doing what I'm doing now so I decided to try this for 3 months. However, my main concern is that it limits cardio to 3X per week for 20 min per session. Won't my body go into shock and start packing on the weight? I am really struggling with this one!!!!

Any feedback would be welcome!

 

[curecancer4ever]

i've always been told that you shouldn't do any more than 20-30 minutes cardio, depending upon what it is. your body needs the shock in order to change. keep changing your workouts every so often so that your body doesn't adapt to it.

 

[curecancer4ever]

uhh...... 20-30 minutes a day. just to clarify what i said.

 

[elvn]

I originally posted this in reference to my running and overtraining. Thanks for all the feedback guys, it was great and insightful.
I 'm posting for appljx. I don't think the Body for LIfe program is going to do anything for you if you've built your stamina up to 2 40 min. cardio sessions/ day along with weight training. I am living proof that the more cardio you do, the leaner you look. How much muscle you can pack on is another story.
Less cardio like in BforL will not lean out your midriff. could it be potentially that this is genetically where your body likes to carry weight??
I know I have hips and a small waist and I never put on weight here but the front of my quads is a quite different. I am the envy of the female when it comes to my waist but not my legs. I have to work really hard on my legs and this is why I was asking about running. My cousin on the other hand has no waist. she is very thin and has killer legs w/o doing anything but her hips are non-existant and she would never look like me even if she wanted to.
Body for life is great for beginners b/c any exercise will produce results.
What I may recommendis try interval training like he preaches. It's fun and makes cardio go by quicker. and may I also say that 2 cardio sessions 5x/week is only meant to be done to achieve your weight goal. That is not a maintenance program so I hope that you don't follow it for more than 16 weeks a time. It can be very taxing on one's body. but 20 min, 3x/week won't do a thing.
Just a thought.

 

[appjax]

Thanks for the feedback elvn!!! You confirmed what I think I intuitively already knew but I was just hoping that I might be able to get more with less using the BFL method, i.e. 20 min cardio and still burn fat. I have been doing the 2X daily cardio for years and 1) I am just about sick of it as I am always fatigued and 2) I don't look any different than I did 2 years ago. I realize a sane person would have re-evaluated their program a long time ago and tried to do something different to get better results (especially if they were working so hard at it) but I have been so afraid that if I stop I will gain a bunch of weight that I just keep doing it....no matter how bad it sucks.

The good news is that I did start BFL and have been doing the interval training which, you're right is a lot of fun. However, 20 minutes 3X per week just won't cut it. My body is screaming for more. I have decided to keep doing the interval training and drop my mileage down to 30 per week (as opposed to 40-50) and really focus on my weight training. It can't hurt to try!

Thanks again for your feedback