Weighted Running

[u/lucre07]

I’m thinking of incorporating weighted running into my easy runs. I can run a 10K in 53 minutes, but I feel like I’ve hit a plateau and want to improve further. My thinking is that running with weights might make me faster when I switch back to running without them. What are your thoughts?

[u/2020oki]

What’s your current weekly mileage?

[u/lucre07 → u/2020oki]

10k run , 5k run , 6k run

[u/Mobile-Scallion-6866 → u/lucre07]

Try 3 10km by adding 2 km per week

[u/lsoers → u/lucre07]

Mine’s 15, 6, 6 and that combo rocks!

I do like a big distance differential between my easy and long runs

[u/lucre07 → u/2020oki]

21km in a week

[u/2020oki → u/lucre07]

Focus on getting that number up first

[u/BluffRucker]

It can screw up your form, you will run differently with weight. Run longer, run up hills. If you want to use weight, hike up big hills with it. I think backpacking has helped with my running. From what I have read over the years, running with weight is a bad idea.

[u/Clean_Bat5547 → u/BluffRucker]

I agree. I came to running from hiking . Going uphills with heavy pack or weight vest is good strength building exercise, but you don't want to be running like that. Too much impact on joints.

[u/Just-Context-4703]

No. Getting fitter will make you faster. Weighted running is a great way to fuck up your mechanics. 

[u/DenimCryptid]

Hill sprints. Sprint intervals. Bulgarian split squats. Deadlifts. Resistance training is what you want to focus on for building speed.

Weighted running has a lot of benefits but speed gains are pretty minimal.

[u/Lyradep]

I’ve thought about this too. Like I have a 1-2lb shirt I’ve ran in from time to time. To me, it seems the running community doesn’t really care about making conditions harder on yourself. I’ve seen people on Reddit hate on swampy recovery run shoes, and only ever run in race day shoes (or just speed run shoes) because they only ever want to feel fast all the time, even if it’s just training.

I think as long as you keep the weight pretty minimal, and keep your form the same, I’d be interested what you might think when you take the added weight off during taper and a race.

[u/lucre07 → u/Lyradep]

truw that, I'll try once a week only 1 or 2 miles with that

[u/Silly-Resist8306]

There is nothing wrong with using a weighted vest, but it’s a good way to make easy days less effective. Your body needs rest to improve. That’s the purpose of an easy day. I suggest hill day.

[u/lukewarm_take24]

id skip the weights tbh and focus on adding intervals or tempo runs once a week. keep ur easy runs actually easy and build up gradually bc weighted running can put extra stress on ur joints without necessarily making faster

[u/ElRanchero666]

run faster