Runner's Forum: Running with Weighted Packs (bootcamp style)

Bootcamp-style roadwork: I run with a pack containing 35 lbs of weight. I know that in the military they carry packs with 45 lbs, and the total weight they carry is about 80 lbs. (weapons, etc)

Sounds crazy, but I've had great fitness results from training this way. It's pretty rigorous, the gradual addition of the weights cuts down on your overall distance until you get used to it. But boy what a workout. I have hills near me so it's even better. But no obstacle course. :(

 My question: how can you accurately calculate calories burned under these conditions? MapMyRun doesn't have any capacity for this. . and I can't find anywhere else on the web that examines it either. Calories burned are always based on standard factors like the duration, speed, runner's body weight, etc. 

I know the results are different because I can see my body changing week to week. Would be cool to know how many calories I am actually sweating out.

 

Thanks for any tips!

 

C.

Brooklyn 

Having done that in Corps I would advise against running that way. It's way hard on your skeletal system than you know. I can see doing it every so often.

It's better to get your strain on by running uphill or just faster depending on your goals.

 

i have been training doing hard speed intervals and hill intervals about 5 to 6 runs a week 1 speed inter 1hill inter 1fartlek 1 long run  2to 3 recovery runs i done this about 6 weeks and definently noticed a good increase in speed on my 10k time i now have just started a new training schedule which i have designed to speed up my 10 k time i hope or i will  probably get a injury  my new schedule is mainly runing with 20 kilo a distance off aprox 5k which i intend to build up to 10k the first 5 k weighted almost killed me so 10k is areal challenge but if iacheive it my genral cardio endurance would definently increased greatly because i definantly could not compleat 10k with 20kilos with out stopping or walking  i allso am worried about injury to my feet heels and arches etc and back . the work outs are very hard but ifeel it is training a lot off core muscles eck and back . i also dont no if this sort off training will help my 10 race time because they say to get fster run faster paces useing weights and buiding to much muscle can stiffen up your legs and make you slower. any way im gona try it  for 6 weeks then i no what trainng produced the best results which icould post onthis site im not a professional so maybe im makeing a few mistakes in my training so il read other coments off people who have done it

The heavier you are the quicker you retire your running shoes

On the weighted training subject I was going on a run and my son asked if he could join me. Of course I agreed and just planned on taking it easy. Well his rollerblades were REALLY slowing things to a walk so I asked him to grab my shirt and pulled him around a relativly hilly 5k course. He weighs 70 lbs to my 130. That was a pretty good workout and we had a good time working in tandem through the course.

The question is would this be a lower impact training method or would the hill repeats and intervals be a better idea?

After the effort I felt great but the next morning my hamstrings were plent tight.

p.s. Thanks for sharing your forum with me.

Jeff from San Antonio, Tx

Rediscovering running

No one's mentioned whether or not they use weighted rucksacks or weighted vests. There's a difference in the way the weight is distributed over the body.

 "If you want to add some resistance try doing body weight exerices say every mile say 20 press-ups or pull ups.  Train smart dude.  "

That's very different than running with weights. Press ups and pullups don't work any of the same muscles as running with a weighted pack does.