Is Cardio really that evil?

[Tanglefoot77]

Okay, I've got a dilemma.

I'm looking to build strength and muscle to compete in the heavy events at my local highland games. However, along with my strength training, I need to run. Mostly it's work related, I'm in the Air Force and the mile and a half run is the make or break event in the PT test. I'm not much of a natural runner and I need some kind of routine to keep my score up.

I plan to run five days a week; Two 1.5 mile runs (with warm up and cool down it's about 15 minutes) and three 5k's (a tad under 30 min).

I know everyone's different, but is this enough cardio to interfere with building muscle and strength?

Thanks,

~Tangle

[TrackChick]

Doubt it. 1.5 miles or 5k really isn't that long of a distance. I'd be really surprised if you ended up looking like one of those kenyans.

[swolepatrole]

Short answer:
5 days a week MAY be a bit excessive if you do other things outside of that. Those distances really aren't that extreme though, so you should be fine. Just evaluate how well you recover and if your performance is improving toward highland games training and PT training.


Long answer:
This is one of those times where someone asks you what your stats/goals/diet/habits are before we dole out any more advice/attention.

[KiloNewton]

I know everyone's different, but is this enough cardio to interfere with building muscle and strength?

It will not be difficult to achieve both goals with this training regimen, but it will be more difficult than if you were only aiming for one goal. With all honesty most people have no idea how much training they are capable of, you will be fine.

[armin20]

I know everyone's different, but is this enough cardio to interfere with building muscle and strength?

It will not be difficult to achieve both goals with this training regimen, but it will be more difficult than if you were only aiming for one goal. With all honesty most people have no idea how much training they are capable of, you will be fine.

Maybe you should split those running days. For example, on days you go heavy on weight lifting you do sprints, and on other days you do those long distances you planned. I am also in a period of strength training and I am quite a hard gainer, so long distance running is a HELL NO for me, but I do my sprints regulary and maybe get like half a mile run before I pack to go home.

[Tanglefoot77]

Maybe you should split those running days. For example, on days you go heavy on weight lifting you do sprints, and on other days you do those long distances you planned. I am also in a period of strength training and I am quite a hard gainer, so long distance running is a HELL NO for me, but I do my sprints regulary and maybe get like half a mile run before I pack to go home.

I'm an endomorph, gaining isn't a problem for me. It's what I gain. Loosing fat is a real challenge. So while most of my motivation is work related, some of it is related to staying fairly trim.

I do like the idea of mixing things up. Variety is the spice of life, no?