Is this a balanced workout?

Question

My current regimen, about 5-6 days a week, includes a 2 mile run, takes about 17 minutes at my current pace. Although I would really like to extend my distance because running is my true passion. Then I rest for about 15 minutes and maybe eat a banana or something to keep the energy up. Then I proceed to do an upperbody/ab workout that usually lasts about an hour. It's kind of hard for me to build my own workout cause in reality I want two things: to be muscular and to be able to run marathons. But I don't see very many "buff" guys running long distances (look at Kenyans) so I was wondering if my workout is a decent balance of training towards my goals, or is it basically one or the other in this instance. Do you really have to put all your energy and focus into building muscle mass, or running? I kind of want the "whole package" I guess you could say.

Hope this makes sense.

Answer 1

You can have a "buff" look while running competitively, but not at the marathon level.  Really only at the 5K distance and shorter,  when you run for speed you end up burning bulky muscle away.  You can get really cut and have some muscle, but you won't get bulked up while running seriously.  At your pace 17 min. to run 2 Mi. I don't think you have to worrying about this. The main thing that will slow you down is fat and bulky muscle.  Good Luck

Answer 2

You may not see a ripped guy running a marathon in under 2:10, but let's face it, you're a long way from that level of performance. There are definitely "buff" guys who can run a very fast 5k or 10k. If you want to get better at the running piece, you need to stop doing the same workout over and over again. Mix it up a bit... run shorter and faster some days, longer and slower other days. You have a long ways to go before you need to worry about sacrificing muscle for running.