Some background: been lifting 4x a week for ~3 years, 6'3 190 pound thin wrist lanklet. Made noob gains at the start but have basically stalled the last 18 months or so. Bulked to 210 pre-covid but lifts were pathetic, srs never broke a 230 pound bench. Dont do any real cardio except a 4 mile jog 2x a week

Decided to run 5k this week and clocked it at 18:30 with a 4:56 mile at the start. Went online to see if this was any good and a lot of forums of runners talking about what it takes to get under 6 min mile, or under 20 min 5k, etc. Pretty hilarious seeing chit tier advice like 'up your mileage', 'need to run 20-30 miles a week', etc. Wrong, just do some squats and deadlifts apparently as the above came with zero training. Now have dilemma:



- Close this pandoras box and never mention it again. Continue going to gym and one day in 5 years be able to post a vid benching 225 for reps on the misc and accept pity reps


- Dedicate all time to running, develop a sickly looking track body, start investing in shirts with sleeves again, lose all previous interest from women but shave off 10 seconds from these mile pace times and earn some $3 event medals that my new rail thin body will barely be able to support around the neck. Quit the misc forever, at least the LetsRun boards actually seem pretty funny and a cool group.


What to do??

imagine thinking someone would read this without cliffs.

Same dude. First time I ever ran a 5k I ran around a 20:00, ran a Spartan 5k for fun and finished near the top, I lift for 10 years and can't crack a 250 bench...

Zero training
Run 4 miles 2 x weekly

Pick one.

Just proof how much body types and genetics matter. ectomorph, endomorph, whatever can be 'BS' but your build absolutely does matter big time

As a guy who does both, you are genetically blessed if you run that time.
cliffs: stick to running!

Strong running time.

How quickly do you turn over your feet? Cadence bro

haha fair but that's also the type of running training a 40 year old mom does. Legitimate running training apparently has to do with pacing, intervals, mixing up distances, slopes, etc. Not jog around the neighborhood

Very good 20 k time, sounds like you have a runners physique. If you dropped to 170lbs and focused on running you can rack up great times.

But do you want to is the question?

Eh, I'm not a runner but also feel I've hit my poverty natty lifting limits at various points over the last few years. And with getting older been rethinking my strategy. Couldn't hurt to do some heavy kettlebell work vs barbell stuff in addition to the running and get the best of both worlds.

So you must know your ancestors when the “fight or flight” kicked in.. they flew! Embrace the cowardness genes my young one!

Yea I think the larger/longer build works well for medium-short lengths (1-3 miles). Distance or short term agility I've struggled at bigly


Fuark no to your question though. If I was 16 for sure, but what glory is there left for you at 30 besides winning $100 Dicks Sporting Goods gift cards for finishing top 3 at a local charity 5k? Would rather look good and the confidence that comes with lifting. But damn just stupid how difficult gaining weight on lifts has been and then can just pull out a good run time lol

As someone who has taken lifting seriously and got to 320lb bench/415lb squat /520lb DL, and who has also taken running seriously to the point of winning races varying from marathon/50k/50miler/100miler, my advice is to get into rock climbing.

then just do what u want u goober. stick to lifting. no sense in doing something you don't enjoy, even if you're good at it.

In on slow-twitch dominant brahs thread

Can't relate lulz

Fight or flight? You better run son!

Great with the first mile.

How old are you? The only market for running exists in scholarships.

I'd train for the 800 if anything so you can enjoy yourself. No need to lose much muscle for it.

Most runners dont have good upper physiques due to muscle loss. Same as cyclists.

Running is tough on the lower joints. Pick your poison.