Forums >Cross Training>pool running for dummies
thumbs up!
I am nursing a bad case of shin splints, or worse, a stress fracture.
I'm going to try pool running, but don't know where to start (besides in a pool)
Here are my stupid questions:
How deep should the water be?
Do your feet touch the bottom?
Do I need a belt (for float? for weight?)
How do you deal with other swimmers using the pool?
The shirtless wonder
I tried water running while nursing a stress fracture. I didn't like it but you should at least give it a try.
Good luck, I hope you enjoy it more than I did!
run.therowes.net
Thanks Greg.
I've been following your adventures with stress fractures here on RA.
What did you do for training if you didn't like the pool?
The whole flotation thing is throwing me, already feels too complicated.
One day at a time
Penny, it's not too complicated. I did it after I had an achilles injury. Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can! I'm a total klutz. The hardest part was the boredom, and feeling like everyone was looking at me.
If you have to stay in "deepish" water, do you "run" accross the lanes so you are in a consistent depth?
I should probably watch someone do it first. I'm overcomplicating this.
It's not complicated or hard at all. A lot of people really enjoy it. You should definitely try it.
I did a fair amount of cycling while recovering. I also used the injury as an opportunity to learn to swim. I have some great friends who are avid triathletes that offered to teach me. It's been slow going but I'm starting to get the hang of it.
I plan to continue swimming but I'm not planning on cycling much anymore and I only did water running once (after that I devoted pool time to learning/practicing swimming).
At the pool I used they had two lanes configured as one lane for water walking. I'd go from the deepest point to the mid-way point and then turn around. It's easy to do a 180 degree turn in water. You don't get a whole lot of momentum.
I did the same routine as Greg at my local Y. They had quite a few of the Aqua Jogger belts (I think that's what they were called).
I found the following pretty useful last winter when i was nursing a calf injury:
http://pfitzinger.com/labreports/water.shtml
If you want to maintain your running fitness, you have to push yourself when aqua jogging/running. I found it to be a good workout for both my legs and arms.
The aquajogger site has information on correct form, drills etc.
http://www.ib3health.com/products/AquaJogger/Index.asp
The process is the goal.
Men heap together the mistakes of their lives, and create a monster they call Destiny.
Best Present Ever
I look my best blurry!
I spend a few weeks a year pool running because of a chronic knee issue and have been trying to get Ina few hours a week in place of a run. When I run with a belt I do a lot of intervals to keep my heart rate up and make it less boring. I finally figured out how to do it without he belt, though. It's a lot harder but it feels like a much better workout. And you definitely can't let your mind wander off and slow down or you drown.
+1
PM me if you want to know more. I can't say I love it but I set a new PR after spending 6 weeks in a pool due to a stress fx in the neck of my femur. If you do it correctly it absolutely works to maintain fitness. Biking and elliptical wasn't an option. So, pool running was all I was allowed to do. I made the most of it. I bought a waterproof iPod cover and got down to business. I do some pool running even when I'm healthy. Good luck!
Kristen