A: When incorporated correctly, strength training for the lower body is an effective performance enhancer and “body hardener” - making you more durable and less injury prone. How to add it into your running is the tricky part. The key to implementing it correctly is to view it only as a supplement to the already physically demanding running. Problems occur when runners get carried away by either doing too volume or use too much weight which always leads to injury or less effective running or burnout. Another consideration that’s important is timing: when do you add it into your running week? If you’re not doing speed work, you can add it in twice a week with a couple of days in between sessions. If you’re doing speed work, stacking it after a speed session is ideal. If you don’t have time immediately after, you have about an 8hr window where your body will still be primed for it. Just make sure you’re fueled for the strength work and you warmed up properly before you start