100 Days Of Strength Training (And How It Helped My Running)

Last week, I celebrated 100 day of strength training at the YMCA. We signed up for a family membership last year, and I took advantage of a workout evaluation, that segued into an online, adaptive training plan. While I don’t go to the gym every day, I committed to aim for three to four days a week, and leaned in to that goal. Now, 100 sessions later, I’d love to share how it has helped my running.

My Muscles Are Stronger

This may seem like a no-brainer, but 100 days of focusing on strength means more developed muscles. Sure, running builds muscles, but it doesn’t build everything. The time I spent doing different exercises with different equipment allowed me to focus on things like glutes, core, and even shoulders and back, all of which combined help improve running form. My upper body is slow to develop, but there is definitely way more definition there than I’ve ever had, and I love it.

I Have Better Balance

One of the things I hoped to achieve going into focused strength training was improving my balance. Despite PT and trying to build up my right side again, it hasn’t always gone according to plan. However, squats and presses seem to be doing the trick. While I’m not back to where I was 100 days of strength training has me in a place where I can stand (steadily) on my right leg again! Confession: my left leg is better for the moment, but I do trees on both sides.

My Form Is More Consistent

Now that I spend more time on building up muscles other than what I use for running, I notice my overall form is so much better. I used to struggle a lot more with overcompensating for my weaker right side, and even dragging when my body got tired, but that’s not as evident anymore. There is still plenty of room for improvement, but the trend is absolutely positive.

My Pain Isn’t As Bad

I’ve talked a little about residual discomfort and nerve pain in my right ankle. It hasn’t been bad enough to hold me back, but it’s there and sometimes I complain about it. The more I work out, the less it bothers me, which is a really nice side effect of 100 days of strength training. It’s so nice to feel “normal” and not like I have to gut through every run. Things aren’t perfect. but it’s so much better.

I’m Running Faster

You may notice that I break my running journey into pre-injury and post-injury. I’m not at pre-injury pace quite yet, but I am crushing my initial post-injury speeds, and nothing feels better. The confidence that comes with seeing my times decrease on the are course is one heck of a drug. It’s very easy to jump for joy when I see the results lately. Disclaimer: with the temps as hot as they are, lately, I might have to ease up a little, but we’ll see.

So Now What?

Well. The results are pretty clear, so I’m just going to have to keep at it in the gym. Obviously, my next goal is to get to 200 workouts. That shouldn’t be too hard.

From there, I want to do more glute work. I also want to increase weights for chest presses and shoulder presses. Pushups, burpees, and lunges still elude me, so I’d like to start working on them a little more seriously. And let’s not forget about my flexibility. That could still use a bit of work.

All of that work should go to making a solid half marathon effort in January. I couldn’t be more excited about that!

How do you think your strength training helps your running?

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