Ryan,
For clarification, are we talking about power, strength, or both in general? Your title is “Power Up”, but the exercise shown in the video is a bodybuilding squat (although for low reps like a powerlifter). While I’m sure you’re not saying a marathoner needs to build up more mass in the thighs, do you feel working max strength via squats and bench would help such an athlete? What about power training (Olympic lifts, jumps and plyos)? I’m wondering if the any of the best long distance runners in the world (East Africans) hit the gym for max strength work?
Great questions. I cannot speak for all coaches. I do know some distance coaches are still behind the times when it comes to trainig. However, Coach Cook who coached Rowbury, Manzano, and Flanagen (when she was fast on the track now coached by someone different) do/did a lot off of the track work for strength training. In respects to the Marathon is totally different beast.
In terms of the title “Power Up” max strength is an important part of the globally balanced program for a power athlete. The point of this blog is not to get stuck to long in one area. All athletes should squat and Olympic lift. Maybe with the exception of Marathoner. East African’s do a lot things that would suprise you. Like these athletes do a lot more speed work then runners in other parts of the world. I believe if they had more access to a good weight room and experienced strength coaches they would lift more. Envinorment can trump good training theory. On a side note weight room work for the female runner strength training has benefits beyond the strength acquired. The biggest benefit for females is the strength training helps restoration/recovery. No matter you are Asian, African, or European.
"Nature hides her secret because of her essential loftiness, but not by means of ruse." -Albert Einstein