Sprints co-existing with deadlifts?

[insidious]

What do you guys think about balls out sprinting done in conjunction with balls out deadlifts (ie, striving to gain about 80 or 90 lbs on this lift in the next year)?

I'm talking for someone my age with average genetics looking to hit 400 from his present 310 by Fall of 2009.
In other words, if you're like 19 and have freakish genetics, don't go telling me "oh yeah, I sprint to the gym and deadlift 450 while I"m still out of breath!" and expect me to follow suit :crackup:

I've been sprinting a couple days a week for the past month and I notice my deadlifts have suffered badly since. I seem to lack the same drive I had before when pulling. My glutes and legs aren't generating the same amount of power and my lower back is suffering for it.

 

[Warboss Alex]

I think you've answered your own question. As I've said before on here, high intensity cardio will, for some people at least, affect weight training. You do not start balls out on high intensity cardio, you do a few minutes a week and gradually add time. Sounds wussy maybe but it's what needs to be done.

So, drop the sprints for a week or two, then reintroduce them starting with a session no longer than five minutes. Then every other week add a minute to your sessions. Train with weights normally. If this is still impacting your training then your recovery ability just can't handle sprints and heavy weight training at the same time and you need to choose one or the other.

That said, your deadlift goal should be easily attainable over a year, while doing sprints as well but ONLY if you work into it sensibly. Your age is also a factor - not saying you're 'too old' or anything like that, but just that you need to be a little easier on yourself at least initially.

Whenever I used to 'jump into' adding high intensity cardio alongside weight training, I burned out quickly and set myself back.

 

[Zairi]

I'm going to assume that you don't keep long rests between sprints, since you are doing it as "cardio". This means your hips will drop, although you might not percieve it because it's such a small drop. This in turn puts additional strain on your lower back and is basically and invitation to injury.

On top of that, both sprinting and weight lifting stress your central nervous system a lot, therefore, you must prioritize your work. Do your weight work first since it is your main priority if you absolutely must sprint.

I might also add that sprinting is not good cardio. It restricts blood flow just like weight lifting does. It does not promote blood flow and it doesn't enhance recovery unlike normal cardio such as walking, jogging and running. And as I said, it competes with weight lifting, so not only do you have to recover from the intense weight lifting but also from sprinting!

I suggest you drop sprinting and find another alternative, which actually promotes blood flow, for cardio.

 

[insidious]

Thanks for the responses guys. Yep, the weights are my priority...my previous cardio was brisk walking for approx 45 mins. That worked fantastic for my purposes. I'm going back to it.
However, my son is a little 'physical activity deprived' and I'm trying to be a good father and get him off his butt, and I thought if we made a contest of it, racing, it would add a little fun...but I underestimated the burden it would place on my body & CNS.
Well, lots of guys here say they are 'hard gainers'...I'm a 'hard learner'. One more lesson learned the hard way.