Females taking over!

Monday, May 14, 2012 · Mike Davis

Hi everyone and happy Mother’s Day to all you running mother’s!

I have worked with a couple hundred runners and I can easily say that ninety percent of them are woman. In the world of running it seems as if woman are dominating in numbers and increasing every day. One of the questions I’m often asked from groups that I am coaching is: “Where are all the men?” Yes, some women even join running groups in hopes of meeting a guy, but the numbers haven’t been in their favor. In most races these days the women are now out numbering the men by a significant amount and it’s getting greater each passing season.

So what gives? Is running becoming more of a female sport? No, I don’t think men are necessarily leaving running, but I think that the dynamics of running is changing. My experience with both genders is considerable and I see a trend. Men like going to the gym and developing their fitness from the weights, while women are increasingly lacing up running shoes and finding that running is changing their life. I can totally understand both sides and am always trying to find balance between strength training and running. For me it’s not as difficult as I have all I need to strength train in my basement and running is what I do. However, I do strongly believe those that run are making the better choice.

I have had a membership at Planet Fitness for over 7 years now and while I don’t go on a regular basis, I have been their enough to observe a trend. Most guys that are there are younger and those older men I do see, are on some type of cardio machine. I know have many friends that workout at gym, but their consistency is a bit lacking. This leads me to question whether strength training is a life time way of life. No doubt, there are people that are diligent and have strength trained regularly for years upon years. I venture to guess that would be very few though. It’s more affordable than ever to have a gym membership, so there has to be a reason right?

I preach constantly about no finish line running and what it means. Running because it empowers you will keep you running long after that gym membership has expired. Running builds a discipline that develops us mentally and keeps us going back for more. Running pushes our limits and a sense of satisfaction like nothing else can. Through running friendships are built and accountability is developed. What I was sure I couldn’t do last month is accomplished this month and then some. Running brings events that motivate and tee-shirts that share with others our accomplishments. Running lets us compete with ourselves and prove that no matter what age I am; I can get faster.

Strength training is wonderful and has great value as part of our workout plan, but strength training only may not have the staying power of running nor the benefits. Some strength training plans are probably equal to that of a good run, but will you stick with it? Looking at the numbers, I believe that most gym goers have a difficult time maintaining a good strength training plan for much more than a year. Most runners not only stick with running, but they thrive. The number keeps growing and the sport of running keeps growing. Personally, I like a combination of both and I constantly try and schedule 3 times a week of strength training to go along with 4 days a week of running. Both lend themselves to improving my running and keeping me healthy. Strength training is very easy to do and can be done in the comfort of your own home. A strong core will help as your body tires and for longer runs that’s huge.

I believe in many cases men will become runners after trying to muscle up and realizing that getting to the gym regularly is quite difficult. Once those shoes are laced up, running becomes simple and the joys of it follow. They say that it takes 21 days of doing something before it becomes part of who we are. Running certainly falls into that category.

So women are already learning what we men are slow to come around too; running is for life and most other gym type stuff is not. Hopefully men will turn things around and get running. Till then, if you are a single female that might be looking for a male companion, keep running and you may get lucky!