Improve Your Marathon Experience with Strength Training

Everyone knows that to improve your marathon times, you need to follow a strict running regimen that increases your endurance while not over-tiring yourself for race day. However, have you ever considered adding strength training to your marathon training schedule? Adding a few powerful moves can prevent injuries by strengthening your muscles and connective tissues. It also can help you run faster by improving your neuromuscular coordination and power. Plus, it can improve your running economy by encouraging your coordination and stride efficiency!

If you want to improve your performance, here are a few of our favorite lifts, tips, and tricks to help take your speed and endurance to the next level — because a strong runner is a fast runner!

MARATHON MOVES

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Posterior-chain exercises

These exercises will help you develop a stronger kick and increase your ability to pass the competition on uphill runs.

• Deadlift
• Hip raises
• Hamstring curls
• Lunges

Deadlift

The deadlift is the king of hip-extensor exercises. Every time you push off, you rely on your hip extensors. Start with your feet shoulder-width apart and toes facing forward (or flared out slightly). With a kettlebell or barbell in your hands, hinge at your hip, sticking your booty back. Then drive your hips forward as you squeeze your glutes and tuck your chin.

Hip raises

Hip raises are another great hip-extensor exercise. Start with your back on the floor, knees bent, so your feet are firmly planted on the floor. Press through your heels while lifting your hips up. Keep your chin tucked to avoid overextending your lower back. For an added level of difficulty, try single-leg variations or add a mini band just above your knee.

Hamstring curls

Hamstring curls are the perfect bodyweight burner to increase your hamstring strength and endurance. Lie on your back with your hips off of the ground, then place your feet on a suspension trainer, gliders, or a stability ball, pulling your heels in toward your glutes. Keep this motion controlled and increase repetitions as your endurance improves.

Lunges

Lunges are basically just an exaggerated form of running. I personally prefer walking lunges over other variations, since I’m a runner. On a track or in an open space, drop into a lunge, then lift your back foot, and take a giant step forward as you drop into another lunge. Doing this, instead of bringing your feet together in between lunges, mimics running and will increase your active hip mobility.

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Core exercises

Every good runner needs a strong core—especially marathoners who run 26.2 miles. Beyond just muscular endurance, I’d recommend focusing on core exercises that encourage a good range of dynamic hip flexion. Dynamic hip mobility is a huge differentiator between elite runners and amateurs, so these exercises focus on maintaining that mobility.

• Pikes
• V-sits
• Knee-to-elbow

Pikes

From a plank position, place your feet on an exercise ball, gliders, or a suspension trainer. Once in the plank position, hinge at your hips, lifting your booty high while maintaining a flat back and straight legs. For an easier modification, add a bend in your knees for a tuck.

V-sit

A v-sit is one of the best isometric exercises to improve your core endurance. From a seated position, lift your feet off of the ground to balance on your sit bones. As you become stronger, work on straightening your legs more and more, as well as lowering your upper body to bring yourself to a hollow hold position.

Knee-to-elbow plank

Knee-to-elbow plank is one of our favorite core exercises, because it assists in hip flexion and dynamic hip mobility. Start in a high-plank position, then pull one knee up to the same-side elbow while keeping your foot off of the ground. Hold for 10–30 seconds, then switch sides.

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Shoulder and postural exercises

Arm swing is a part of running that’s sometimes overlooked, but your legs will follow where your arms lead. Good posture and strong arm drive can improve your running efficiency and greatly improve your overall performance.

• Back extensions
• Reverse flyes
• Side plank

Back extensions

Your erector spinae muscles do exactly what they sound like they do: keep your spine erect. Back extensions are a great, no-equipment way to work these small, yet important muscles. Start flat on your stomach, then lift your upper and lower body off of the ground, so as little of your body is touching the ground as possible. For an added challenge, take your hands behind your head, add in flutters, or try a variation by making a “snow angel” motion.

Reverse flyes

Reverse flyes are a great way to work your rear deltoids and help open up your posture. Start in a hinged position with your back flat, then, with a moderate-to-light dumbbell in each hand, lift your arms wide to form one straight line.

Side plank

Side planks are a great way to work on shoulder endurance, as well as get in a little core work. Try forearm and straight-arm variations to see which challenges you more. Work on steadily improving how long you can hold it.

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Tips and Tricks

• Lift heavier in the off-season and lighter during race season.
• You’ll want to build a strong base, but when you’re racing and upping your mileage, you don’t need more breakdown in your muscles. After all, a sore racer isn’t a fast racer.
• Move in multiple planes of motion.
• Running takes place predominantly in the sagittal plane. To improve your overall fitness, be sure to incorporate movements in different planes of motion, primarily the frontal and transverse planes. Think jumping jacks or any rotational movements.
• Listen to your body.
• If you are overly sore, you won’t be able to push as hard during your running workouts, so you might want to adjust your routine to allow for an easy run after a heavy strength-training session. That way, your body has time to recover. As you add another stressor on your body, you’ll want to be sure to not overdo it.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to incorporate a few of these movements into your next strength training workout. Stay strong and best of luck!