How to Run After Performing Deadlifts

Deadlift

Running provides numerous benefits, including improved speed and fat loss. Running after deadlifting presents certain difficulties, including fatigue and muscle soreness. Running immediately after deadlifting becomes an issue of endurance and running during a second training session becomes a question of long-term fatigue. Running the next day often becomes an issue of delayed-onset muscle soreness. All solutions are workable, but all require extra effort and practice. Consult a health care provider before beginning any training program.

Run using only a modest pace, but ensure you are striking properly on the ball of your foot when you run. Landing on your heels reduces the activation of your calf muscle, and increases the stress on your lower back.

Run using an interval program. Immediately after a deadlift workout, long-distance running will further stress your back. Instead, run sprints followed by recover sessions. Sprint 50 m, then walk back, then sprint again. This allows you to cover ground, burn fat and build speed.

Run at a modest pace for less than you maximum distance. If you have deadlifted earlier in the day, your endurance may be compromised. Do not schedule your longest run on the same day as a deadlift workout. Run for no more than 80 percent of your maximum distance, and run for no more than 90 percent of your maximum speed during a running session that follows a resistance training workout.

Run for power the day after a deadlift workout. The soreness and fatigue the day after a deadlift workout will limit your speed and endurance, so work on building good technique. Run up hills, which helps develop proper foot strike, and the extra effort will force your legs to work harder, improving your conditioning.

Warm up thoroughly, even though you may have recently trained. If it is later in the day, you may not require as much extra warm-up as the next day. Walking on a treadmill or lunges will help warm and stretch the muscles that you previously trained.

Tips

Drink at least 64 oz. of water per day. Supplement with branched-chain amino acids to help relieve muscle soreness and pain.

Warnings

Never lift without a spotter. If you feel pain when running, stop immediately.