![GIVE ME STRENGTH](https://cdn.magzter.com/Men's Fitness/1700751497/articles/NAtvSxaJy1700810215317/GIVE-ME-STRENGTH.jpg)
I was handed the results from my DEXA (dual x-ray absorptiometry) scan, the gold standard method for measuring body composition. There was just a week to go before I was set to run the 380km (236 miles) Dragon's Back Race, promisingly dubbed the hardest mountain ultramarathon in the world'. I had signed up to this race because I wanted an adventure, and the idea of running the length of Wales, while climbing a total of 17,400 metres in the process (over twice the height of Everest), for some reason, appealed to me. My personal sporting background is rugby, then weight lifting and a bit of CrossFit, but I wanted something different - exciting.
So, for the previous ten months, I trained specifically for this race. Crucially, though, I set myself the goal of maintaining or even building muscle mass, while getting enough running in my legs to stand a chance of completing the event.
I read the numbers on the DEXA report: body fat 8.75% and lean mass 71.75kg - up from 71.71kg ten months ago. I had done it, just. Although this may seem like a small gain, and it is in the context of bodybuilding, the fact I was able to build muscle while doing four-hour runs on a Saturday followed by five-hour runs on a Sunday - with a sprinkling throughout the week - felt monumental.
The obvious question, of course, is why this was important to me. Well, I would say there were advantages and disadvantages. The obvious downside is that you are carrying more weight, which means you are working harder. This extra weight resulted in frequently getting overtaken on the hills (of which there were many).
Bu hikaye Men's Fitness UK dergisinin December 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Men's Fitness UK dergisinin December 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
![BALANCING ACT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/_GSNha05G1718963093104/BALANCING-ACT.jpg)
BALANCING ACT
Incorporate balance training into your routine to sharpen skills, reduce injury risk and boost overall performance
![TIMING IS EVERYTHING](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/aKtZhD2cG1718963010704/TIMING-IS-EVERYTHING.jpg)
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
KICKSTART YOUR DAY Seven concrete benefits of working out in the morning
![RACK RELIEF](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/Sj8zxx3ib1718962762267/RACK-RELIEF.jpg)
RACK RELIEF
Unlock strength and flexibility with these targeted mobility stretches for achieving an optimal front rack position
![MAKE WAVES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/nsLLRhDWf1718962622060/MAKE-WAVES.jpg)
MAKE WAVES
Tackle this full-body session from record-breaking swimmer Ben Proud
![LIFT BURN REPEAT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/fKP45HUrD1718962219265/LIFT-BURN-REPEAT.jpg)
LIFT BURN REPEAT
Metabolic resistance training (MRT) combines structured circuit training with progressive weights for time-efficient fat loss and muscle growth. World-renowned physique coach Gareth Sapstead has all you need to know
![GOAL DIGGER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/1SjZl_qyL1718961665741/GOAL-DIGGER.jpg)
GOAL DIGGER
SELF-DEVELOPMENT GURU NICHOLAS BUNNEY LAYS OUT A GAME PLAN FOR SETTING ROCK-SOLID GOALS AND CHOOSING GENUINE VALUES OVER QUICK FIXES
![HORMONE HARMONY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/TJ5R-7ZNF1718957703315/HORMONE-HARMONY.jpg)
HORMONE HARMONY
Life coach David Phillips beat depression and found happiness by hacking his neurochemicals - here's how you can do the same
![HOSTAGE TO HERO](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/nyvND2aPS1718957423381/HOSTAGE-TO-HERO.jpg)
HOSTAGE TO HERO
Keith Boyd overcame a heart condition, guerrilla warfare and kidnapping to break a 26-year-old running record
![METATATION](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/p1vmi8myj1718956901330/METATATION.jpg)
METATATION
Headspace XR is the mindfulness and meditation app for use with Meta Quest virtual reality headsets, but is it mind expanding or mind numbing?
![REACH FOR THE SKY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/kY89dHBiK1718956746164/REACH-FOR-THE-SKY.jpg)
REACH FOR THE SKY
Hoka's Skyward X promises that holy grail of running shoes: speed and comfort. But it really shines over moderate-paced miles