Cross-training is supplemental exercise that can be helpful to your running, like cycling.

But just like form drills, strides, or dynamic flexibility exercises, I consider strength training to be an integral part of how to train distance runners.

If you're not strength training, then you're not training.

Running by itself only gets you so far. It's a fairly one-dimensional form of exercise, after all.

If you look at how pro runners train (hell, even high school runners), you'll see a lot of "other things" in their training:

• Form drills
• Plyometrics
• Bodyweight strength workouts
• Mobility
• Barefoot work
• Skill-based strength exercises (like Olympic lifts)
• Dynamic flexibility routines

Whoever said runners just ran?!

All of this extra training makes you stronger, more efficient, and flexible with higher levels of coordination.

In other words, you become a better athlete. Because you're not a runner – you're an athlete that specializes in running.

I wanted to dive into the topic of strength training in more detail so you know what to do – and how to do it – to become a faster and less injury-prone runner.