Running. Does it help your swimming or is it an interesting diversion? A lot of people here seem to cross train with running. (Some are obviously triathletes). USS teams now have their swimmers running. But does running really help swimming?
For me, I'm not so sure. I think it helps a bit on the cardio side and may build leg strength. I do it to tighten everything up, because I like being outside and it gives my shoulders a break. But I'm not sure I wouldn't be better off with more pool time if my body could take it.
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Wow. Everyone is all over the map on this one.
I run a lot. That's mostly what I did during my 24 year hiatus from swimming until I gave myself a nasty stress fracture. I still run now, just shorter distances and less often. But I don't think it helps my swimming one little bit. Sorry Geek and SCY freestyler. Usually if I run before I swim later that night, I get cramps in swimming. And I never huff and puff when I run so I don't think it helps my cardio that much. My legs give out before my lungs.
But will I stop running and do endless drills in the pool? No way, and I like drills. I run because I think it increases my fitness generally. I run because I like to be outside. I run so that the rest of my family won't make fun of me for being a whimp. I run so that I can do aquathons or a 5K with my kids/husband. I run because it burns way more calories than swimming and it generally tightens everything up whereas swimming doesn't do much for flabbiness. I'm sure running has the benefit of strengthening my legs, but I think I could get that from weight lifting in lieu of running.
But if you think running is helping your swimming, keep doing it. It's great fun. (Sorry Allen).
Perhaps this is because you are using the same muscles in swimming that you used in running. After running they are already fatigued and a cramp is to be expected I would think. Maybe not though.
Also, your legs giving out is a sign that you have exceeded their ATP production level...actually the ability of mitochondria to produce ATP fast enough for you. I think you have moved into the fermentation cycle which is when your muscles will "fail".
Where is Gull? He knows all of this physiological/biological stuff like the back of his hand.
Wow. Everyone is all over the map on this one.
I run a lot. That's mostly what I did during my 24 year hiatus from swimming until I gave myself a nasty stress fracture. I still run now, just shorter distances and less often. But I don't think it helps my swimming one little bit. Sorry Geek and SCY freestyler. Usually if I run before I swim later that night, I get cramps in swimming. And I never huff and puff when I run so I don't think it helps my cardio that much. My legs give out before my lungs.
But will I stop running and do endless drills in the pool? No way, and I like drills. I run because I think it increases my fitness generally. I run because I like to be outside. I run so that the rest of my family won't make fun of me for being a whimp. I run so that I can do aquathons or a 5K with my kids/husband. I run because it burns way more calories than swimming and it generally tightens everything up whereas swimming doesn't do much for flabbiness. I'm sure running has the benefit of strengthening my legs, but I think I could get that from weight lifting in lieu of running.
But if you think running is helping your swimming, keep doing it. It's great fun. (Sorry Allen).
Perhaps this is because you are using the same muscles in swimming that you used in running. After running they are already fatigued and a cramp is to be expected I would think. Maybe not though.
Also, your legs giving out is a sign that you have exceeded their ATP production level...actually the ability of mitochondria to produce ATP fast enough for you. I think you have moved into the fermentation cycle which is when your muscles will "fail".
Where is Gull? He knows all of this physiological/biological stuff like the back of his hand.
