What are your views on swimming, as appossed to running, training wise. I just wanted to know everyone's thoughts of how people feel about training both... if you have.
I'm sorry if my last post seemed sarcastic -- this is still kind of a broad subject but I'll take a stab at it.
To me, the major difference between swimming and running as a training method (aside from the obvious ones and fact that I like to swim and I don't like to run) is the risk of injuries. I used to run, but stopped because I was injured too often (knee pain, ankle pain, etc) and they were injuries that kept me from training at all. I sometimes get shoulder pain from swimming, but I can still swim when my shoulder is sore, even if I have to ease up, avoid certain strokes or just kick for a workout.
You'll see constant arguments over whether swimming or running burns more calories or is more aerobically effective. I've seen numbers both ways, but I doubt that the difference, if there is one, is really significant.
I much prefer swimming to running- I used to do triathlon training (although I never competed), and found that the swimming and cycling bits were easiest on me. I did a fun-run once- my feet still haven't recovered, which is why I stopped running. I also think that swimming is REALLY hard work, compared to running, as it uses more muscles and then there's the breathe control thing, too...
Is the reason Laurie falls behind in kick sets because of the impact running has in the flexibility of your feet? Which in turn impacts the effectiveness of your kick. I have heard that this can happen and that is why I haven't pursued triathlons. That and the fact I dislike distance freestyle.
I do both. I guess I consider myself an aquathlete. I was a triathlete but I realized I don't like cycling that much. I swim 3-4 days per week and run 4. Every other week I take a day completely off. I find I get behind my other lane members on kick sets. I don't know if I am just a bad kicker, or if my legs are always tired. I am also prone to getting a knot in my calf during kick sets. I think the two sports complement each other well.
If you enjoy running and swimming, it's probably a good idea to do both. I think most "experts" agree that cross-training is a good thing. The amount and timing of the other sport (say for a runner who wants to swim, or a swimmer who wants to run) will depend on one's goals. For instance, do a little of both on a regular basis for fitness or multisport, or swim most of the year and add running for a few months each year after the competition season.
The beauty part about running is that it requires almost no equipment and can be done just about anywhere, anytime. Swimming, unfortunately, is not so accessible.
Running probably causes a lot more injuries than swimming.
I haven't regretted not running one minute since my calf injury 3 years ago steered me to Masters swimming!
i am glad that i'm not the only one who gets knotted calf cramps
i thought it was due to salt defficiency,although i did notice the cramps usually set in just after a kick off ..
swim lots ran a long long time ago
