Do you cross train? (Read 920 times)

Well, if you want to play it really safe, substitute one of them for running on a running day, and see how you feel for the next two days -- and if you liked doing the substitution. You can always work up to substituting one of them for a rest day, or even doubling up (run + something else) later on...

I do yoga, too. I do an hour twice a week and an abbreviated (~ 10 minutes) session after each run. The abbreviated sessions really just serve as an alternative to stretching after running. Now that I am running about 7 hours a week that's really all of the time I have to cross train.

I don't cross train. I used to lift two or three days per week but now with my MPW slowly going up, I don't seem to have time for running and cross training too. Also, I just haven't found another type of exercise that I enjoy as much as running, so when I have to exercise, I just run...

Yoga once a week - helps for the deep stretches... Going to add swimming once a week too. Does hockey count as cross training? hmmmm

Thanks for all the replies. I joined a gym, and I thought I would "check out" a spinning class yesterday (no run day). It was tough. I obviously need to build up my cardio strength. Needless to say, today's run... didn't really happen, unless three-quarters of a mile is considered a run. I think I will stick to strength training and yoga/pilates until I am in better shape. Geeze.

Thanks for all the replies. I joined a gym, and I thought I would "check out" a spinning class yesterday (no run day). It was tough. I obviously need to build up my cardio strength. Needless to say, today's run... didn't really happen, unless three-quarters of a mile is considered a run. I think I will stick to strength training and yoga/pilates until I am in better shape. Geeze.

Excellent on joining the gym. I'm a very long-time runner who just joined a gym back in February. One of the best things you can do in there is to build your cardio strength. Hit the elliptical, the bike, the treadmill. TM for me is the least beneficial as if I'm gonna run I'll do it outside. If your goal is to be a better runner then don't sandbag on the machines - work em hard, use intervals and inclines, as there's no impact and they really take nothing out of you. I can hit the elliptical pretty hard even after running a solid interval session earlier in the day and feel great afterwards. Those spinning classes are a great way to build up your cardiovascular system. I don't like the idea of sticking to strength training and yoga/pilates "until you're in better shape". Do those things but also ease into the cardio with the goal of racking up some solid time and effort on the machines. It will help get you in running shape much better than just strength/yoga.

I'm still a newbie -- just finished the c25k program and ran my first 5K. I plan on continuing with running 3-4 times per week. I was thinking of adding in some other exercise on my off days. Do you cross train? What do you do? I've heard that cycling is good, as well as swimming, but I've no idea where to start with either.

The Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training (FIRST) recommends exactly what you are considering. You can pick up their publication entitled "Run Less Run Faster" and it will tell you everything you need to know. It will give you a solid training program for the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon or Marathon - whatever floats your boat. The program recommends three key runs per week - Intervals, Tempo Runs, Long Runs. In addition to the running, it recommends two days of cross training not to mention the stretches and strength training you will need to do as well. The recommended cross training is upright stationary bike, swimming or rowing machine. It lays it all out really well and tells why they recommend certain ones and why they don't recommend others. Since you say you have no idea where to start, I think you will find this book extremely helpful.