It should be noted that constant long distance running for the sake of sport or meditation does not make it a pursuit of fitness nor does it optimize the performance of the sport. For those who wish to gain the cerebral as well as physical benefits of exercise, the need for a well rounded approach to your training regimen are key to seeking what you desire.
Many athletes that I have met and worked with over the years considered themselves long distance runners. These athletes were often long and lanky and lacked muscle development. This is a bi-product of a consistent need to feed oxygen and nutrients to the increasing demands of the metabolic pathways required in long distance running. This results in the breakdown of muscle tissue to be used as an energy substrate during long workouts. Additionally, science has discovered changes in the muscle fiber of long distance runners. They have noted separation and elongation of the muscle fibers which is thought to be an adaptation to provide more surface area for the muscle tissue to take in nutrients and oxygen to meet demands put on the system.
Recently the town we work in hosted the Ironman Triathlon. I was visited by many athletes from around the country seeking more information about CrossFit and resistance training. These individuals were 24 hours away from some of the most demanding physical movements known to humans but yet they could not complete intermediate nor simple bodyweight exercises that even our new clients begin learning. Their strength training was nonexistent.
Recently a well regarded running coach to the Olympic marathoner and American Half marathon record holder, Ryan Hall, was quoted in a November 2008 article in Running Times. He stated that it is now possible to consistently set new world records for running:
"Heart rate training, lactate training, alactate training, and even strength training and movement skills have made a huge improvement from the past. Our top level runners are more all-around athletes than others in the past."
If you want to optimize your long distance running potential, than you need to focus more of your workout routines on short sprints and muscular development, a major foundation to the CrossFit methodology that we teach at UltraFit Clinic. We have found that the pursuit of most sports leads to a desire to excel which eventually leads to injury or bodily destruction due to overuse or constant use of the same muscle and skeletal structures. Imbalances in the whole body system are difficult to manage and even more difficult to correct. When choosing your fitness regimen or training for a sport, make sure that your development and enjoyment of your training can progress over the long haul. This requires some thought into utilizing those movements and muscles that may not be apparent at first blush. The body may use certain parts more than others for some movements, but in general it must work as a whole to be optimized for performance. After all, you would not increase the output potential of certain parts of your car engine if the other parts could not keep up or might wear out sooner due to the added stress, would you? Well, the car parts are easily replaced, but your body parts are not. Start making wise long-term investments in your health and sports and realize that although they may not be the same they don't have to be in conflict with each other.
More Information and Research:
Research Article 1
Research Article 2
Research Article 3