Strength and Physique

Q:  "Hello my name is J. L., and I read an  article  with your name and your skills. I have a question: I was a police officer in PA, and I was released from the department, because I failed my 1.5 mile run. I am a stocky guy and running was never my favorite thing to do. Now I am going for another department, and of course I have to run. "Do you have any advice on what I can do to improve my run? I'm currently running a 9 minute and 30 second mile. And I have to run a 12 minute 1.5 mile. I run every other day and do strength training, and I am getting no where to achieve my running goal." JL My Answer:  I'm not the running expert. My fortes lie in strength training and in bodybuilding. If you're stocky, however, then you should really focus on losing some weight and dieting. Go on a vegetarian diet. If you have the discipline, then go on a vegan diet. Lose the weight training and just focus on running. I know this runs counter to my usual training and

Q:   "I have been doing the pyramid workout for a bit now. I haven't been doing the  10-8-6-15  the whole time. I have been doing it for a month or so now, but I have been changing it up from 10-8-6-8 to 10-8-6-6, which I am currently doing. "I have been trying to go for about 3200 calories a day. I have gained some weight but not a lot. I look a bit more defined, but not a lot also. Also I have been switching up the exercises every two weeks or so but keep some core ones. "My question is should I continue to do this till I put on some more weight? I went from 132 to 137, till I get to about 140 or so. Or should I change it now? I'm not sure about the 5x5, because I can't find anything about it or what exercises to do. Should I try something like: Monday - Chest, Shoulders, Triceps, Biceps, Abs Wednesday - Legs, Back, Abs Friday- Chest, Shoulders, Triceps, Biceps, Abs Next Monday - Legs, Backs, Abs -N. Ponte My Answer:  Yes, change the program.