{"id":40073,"date":"2025-07-05T06:22:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T06:22:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/40073\/"},"modified":"2025-07-05T06:22:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T06:22:09","slug":"switching-from-strength-training-to-hybrid-training-helped-me-crush-2-marathons-my-7-day-routine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/40073\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Switching from strength training to hybrid training helped me crush 2 marathons \u2013 my 7-day routine’"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve always loved being around athletes and have been fascinated with how food and exercise impacted the body and mind. I studied sports science and played football in college, but I had always craved understanding a deeper side of fitness<\/a>, instead of just the competitive side. I was curious to learn more about lifting weights<\/a> and building muscle<\/a>, so I got my personal training certification.<\/p>\n

Then, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I finally got to explore my interest in fitness more. With a ton of free time, I figured exercise was the best way to cope, so I turned to Instagram for workout inspiration in hopes of finding a fitness influencer who looked like me. I quickly realised there were very few Black women in the fitness space, especially in the United Kingdom, where I\u2019m from. I wanted representation, so I decided it was going to be me. <\/p>\n

I began doing at-home workouts almost every day and documented my progress on Instagram. I didn\u2019t have traditional gym equipment, so I used water bottles and bags of rice instead of dumbbells<\/a>, and did moves in my living room, like walking lunges, biceps curls<\/a>, and weighted sit-ups.<\/p>\n

When gyms reopened in 2021, I was so excited. I finally had access to barbells<\/a> and weight machines<\/a>, and could focus on heavier compound movements to work multiple muscle groups simultaneously like squats<\/a>, deadlifts, and bench presses. <\/p>\n

After two years of exclusively strength training, I wanted more from my fitness routine \u2013 so I decided to try hybrid training<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most of my life, I focused on either cardio or strength training. But from my sports exercise background and personal training certification, I knew that combining the two \u2013 a practice known as hybrid training \u2013 would help improve my overall fitness and performance. So, I went all in and signed up for the 2023 London marathon, and planned to hybrid train for the race. I\u2019ve always loved having an end goal to work towards, plus, I figured the training process would be rewarding, especially come marathon day.<\/p>\n

For my training, I blended full-body strength training with sprint intervals<\/a> and long-distance runs. Every day of training was different, which kept me challenged and engaged, and I noticed serious gains to both my cardiovascular fitness and physical strength. I was able to run<\/a> faster, further distances without burning out, my lower body<\/a> felt stronger, and I was able to efficiently recover between workouts since I was using different muscles<\/a> each day. It was the best of both worlds. <\/p>\n

To support my training, I prioritised eating enough protein and honoured the 80\/20 method<\/strong><\/p>\n

In college, I didn\u2019t optimise my nutrition to fuel my workouts (which was okay, I was enjoying life!). But once I started hybrid training for my marathon,<\/a> I began prioritising protein<\/a> for muscle growth and complex carbs for fuel before and after workouts. My go-to meals are eggs, steak, or chicken paired with rice or sweet potato, and I always try to have a colourful plate packed with fresh fruits and veggies. <\/p>\n

That said, I never restrict myself and always do my best to honour the 80\/20 method, which involves eating healthy, whole foods 80 percent of the time and being flexible 20 percent of the time. I have a sweet tooth, so I always make room for dessert, but I also regularly enjoy traditional African food which consists of rice, plantains, beans, and stew.<\/p>\n

Hybrid training has helped me crush two marathons and prepare for a recent <\/strong>HYROX race<\/strong><\/p>\n

I still have aspirations of crushing another marathon. But since running and functional strength workouts are two of my favourite workouts, HYROX, the ‘race for hybrid athletes’, piqued my interest. I recently competed my first HYROX race and trained with my own workout plan to focus on endurance and strength:<\/p>\n