I guess this is a common thing with most runners, but I find my legs want to give in a long time before the rest of my body wants to. I feel as though I can run for hours, but the leg muscles cry out for me to stop after half an hour or so.
What would be the best ways to strengthen my legs and increase their stamina?
Interestingly I have also noticed when I run or walk my left foot points straight forward and my right leg points slightly to the right. I also find my right leg tires before my left so it may be something to do with that.
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Disagree that it's about willpower - it's mainly about being fit - you shouldn't often be training to the extent your legs are screaming and you are going slower and slower. You need a sensible balanced approach so you gradually increase your training load as you get fitter not go out and smash yourself every run.
If you can only do half an hour maybe you are going too fast - unless of course you are very new to running in which case half an hour isn't too bad and you just need to give it time.
You've basically both said the same thing, slow down and go longer, I reckon 75% of endurance is about will,
Peers if your legs are screaming it would be interesting to know how fast you go, or what distance you cover in the 30 minutes you run
Steady state runs
Tempo runs
Tempo interval runs
That will increase stamina
I agree with the mental thing people have said. When you really want to go running it is a lot easier. When you force yourself to train its a lot harder.
I have recently started hill running so I guess that will help a lot with building the strength in my legs.
Will give the squats and lunges a go too and I have already started mixing in slow long runs and faster shorter runs.
Here are a couple of links on how to strengthen your legs up in the gym
http://www.mile27.com.au/resistance-training-for-runners-part-1/
http://www.mile27.com.au/resistance-training-for-runners-part-2/
I used to do pump fx type classes till recently, lots of squats, lunges with light weights 5-12kg x 2.
Joined new gym, they only do different circuits very varied but with box jumps, single leg squats in TRX, hopping, skipping as warm up, walking lunges, jumping ones sometimes with a med ball held out or high. Tough but awesome. Lots of other things.
They also do a weights session but termed speed & strength, not light weights though, heavier ones. Again squats, various other exercises to loosen up hams & glutes.
See how this goes.