Back in high school I can remember believing that running was the best way to get in shape before I discovered that I wanted to make a career out of strength and conditioning,
I remember going for long runs before my workouts when I would do 2-a-days to prepare for football. Looking back I realize that I should never have been even thinking about any long distance type running. My endurance did go up, but my body composition and muscle mass decreased. This caused me to be weaker and smaller than the guys I would go up against in football. It took a number on my knees, and ankles as well which led to injuries.
Although running so much was a bad choice for me or anyone as an athlete, it is something that taught me several different ways to develop speed, strength, and become more injury preventable.
If you are an athlete, a trainer, a strength coach, or just someone looking to get lean & hard, then start doing the following exercises often with your training routine for now on.
LOADED CARRIES
Farmer walks- These help with ankle injury prevention as well!
Tabata Farmer walks——30 seconds on, 30 seconds off. 5-8 Rounds
Also,,,
Sled drags to work the posterior chain.. Try 4-6 rounds of 80-100 feet using moderate to heavy weights
Sled Pushes are great as well for total body conditioning and to do as a FINISHER at the end of your workouts
Max Out Sprints- Perfect for developing power, and speed. I like 40 yarders, 60 yarders, and of course 110- yarders are great too.
Hill Sprints- 8-10 hill sprints once or twice a week will help athletes develop power and speed as well.
Depending on the athletes current condition, don’t take long rests in between sets. The goal here is to not only work on strength, endurance, speed, and fat loss, but to work on mental toughness as well.
So remember, stop running for long distances unless that is what you actually do for a sport. Focus more on conditioning drills like these that I have listed here for you. Watch your endurance sky rocket, total body strength gains, speed dramatically increase, body become rock hard, and mental toughness go beyond everyone around you.