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2003/09/25, 03:30 PM
i am in cross country for my school and do a heavy cardio and leg workout 6 days a week for it. I also lift weights (in mass building meathods) and have been trying to build mass, but for the last two years i have only got strength gains, really tone, and minimal mass gains. Any advise would be greatly appreciated to help me. Thanks.
Ps: I eat REALLY healthy 50-50 carbs and protein, and a good decent amount of it. (and i'm male, i dunno if that was given)
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2003/09/25, 04:59 PM
Doug,
I never ran cross country because that was football season, I did however, run winter and summer track. I found out that with all the mileage distance runners put it, it is almost impossible to get the kind of mass gains you want. Your body is just burning to many calories, and overworking your body. I didn't start being able to put on mass, until I cut my running down to a minimum of 2 miles 3 days a week. So I can say I feel your pain.
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2003/09/25, 07:24 PM
Are you doing resistance training (weights) for your legs 6 days a week? You will not heal and grow if you do not rest each muscle group for at least 48 hours between training sessions. Also, too much cardio will prevent mass gains because your body may not want to build muscle if it has to struggle to support it.
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Think you can or think you can't; either way you're right--Goethe
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2003/09/25, 10:40 PM
Oh, well ya that's pretty depressing to hear, but thanks for your time stalee75. I guess I'll just focus on running and staying tone for now. And you too, effalunt, but no i'm not doing resistance training EVERY day, the workouts are all held with the coaches every day and they know what they're doing, as to not over train us. If you have any methods or other inormation that could help me though it would be appreciated. By the way I'm not taking any sort of um..."helpers".. at all. no creatine, protien drinks or bars or any of the sort, I'm only eatinng food. Should i be trying something or being only in highschool, it wouldn't be healthy for me?
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2003/09/26, 11:28 AM
You could benefit from the extra calories and protein that agood shake would give you.
Everyone is right, though. being a runner and putting on mass are kind of contradictory goals.
Ask your coaches what hey think about creatine, I cannot advise someone in high school to start taking supplements, even if they are well-researched. you are young and still growing. plenty of good food, and don't cut out the good fats!! Olive oil, nuts and seeds, avocados, are all good fat that your body needs along with the protein and carbs.
Just don't think that any 'helper' is goping to do what time and rest and hatrd work will do better. If you are tempted to do any illegal 'helpers' look at the rate of increased injuries from that kind of 'helper'.
Good luck.
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Challenge + Consistency = Results
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2003/09/26, 02:47 PM
I ran X-C and winter/spring track for all 4yrs of HS.
It's pretty much a given that if you are training that much you are not going to gain any weight/mass. I was very slim all throughout hs... 135-140lbs and 5'9".
Besides, if you are taking X-C/Running seriously, you don't want to bulk up; it will just slow you down. Instead focus on building more endurance and strength with what you have... I miss the days of HS competition... That kept me in hte best shape of my life. I could never run another 4:43 mile...
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2003/09/26, 03:14 PM
Thanks for the advise. Running is more important to me right now so i'll just focus on that. Are fats actually good for me?? (will they affect my cardio...) Well if you say so i'll take your advise and put that into my nutrition. I'll stay away from the creatine for now untill maybe when I'm older. Thanks for everything!!!
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2003/09/26, 03:52 PM
If your metabolism is like the way mine was when running I could eat just about anything and not see any change. I remember pigging out at Mc D's during the championship meets after my event was done and we had to wait for other events to finish... I ate anything I wanted... Granted eating a ton of fatty, greasy foods might give you acne at your age and maybe some health problems later in life but I would just do what you are doing.
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