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.
who knew this would turn into a debate?
I know masters swimmers who swim just as much as I did/do in my current "club days". We don't see track stars getting into the pool to swim a few times a week because they don't use their arms like we do. We use our legs like they do. Strong legs and strong kicks are what has helped me have such a succesfull underwater kick, fast turns and strong breastroke pullouts. ANY swimmer (not just club swimmers) can benefit from strenghtening of muscles. Weak swimmers are not fast swimmers. I would hope to think masters swimmers would want to get faster and not get stuck in a rut or not be strong enough to complete a 500 or a mile or a 3000 for time.
just my two cents.
What I am getting at is just that I don't think physiologically it has benefits. I've read a few studies on this that have brought me to that belief. This isn't to say that I haven't run as cross training.
Endurance is a funny thing. When I first started swimming masters I was in phenomenal running shape. I was training for a marathon at the time, and had to stop due to injury. I died for the first month (or two) in practice because I wasn't in swimming shape. Being in swimming shape and being in running shape are so different. Now I am in great swimming shape and tried to run a measly 2 miles the other day and was hurting. I could swim a 3000 or more for time no problem. I would hate every last second of it, but I could do it. I could probably swim farther than I could run at this point.
If a masters swimmer can't finish a 500 they answer isn't running more it's more endurance work.
Now, I am also a sprinter as I know Fortress/Leslie/Alison is so I wonder if that is an issue.
Lisa, what are your events?
I still think the best way to get a better kick and a stronger underwater kick is by getting in the water and kicking and going to weight room and lifting, not running.
who knew this would turn into a debate?
I know masters swimmers who swim just as much as I did/do in my current "club days". We don't see track stars getting into the pool to swim a few times a week because they don't use their arms like we do. We use our legs like they do. Strong legs and strong kicks are what has helped me have such a succesfull underwater kick, fast turns and strong breastroke pullouts. ANY swimmer (not just club swimmers) can benefit from strenghtening of muscles. Weak swimmers are not fast swimmers. I would hope to think masters swimmers would want to get faster and not get stuck in a rut or not be strong enough to complete a 500 or a mile or a 3000 for time.
just my two cents.
What I am getting at is just that I don't think physiologically it has benefits. I've read a few studies on this that have brought me to that belief. This isn't to say that I haven't run as cross training.
Endurance is a funny thing. When I first started swimming masters I was in phenomenal running shape. I was training for a marathon at the time, and had to stop due to injury. I died for the first month (or two) in practice because I wasn't in swimming shape. Being in swimming shape and being in running shape are so different. Now I am in great swimming shape and tried to run a measly 2 miles the other day and was hurting. I could swim a 3000 or more for time no problem. I would hate every last second of it, but I could do it. I could probably swim farther than I could run at this point.
If a masters swimmer can't finish a 500 they answer isn't running more it's more endurance work.
Now, I am also a sprinter as I know Fortress/Leslie/Alison is so I wonder if that is an issue.
Lisa, what are your events?
I still think the best way to get a better kick and a stronger underwater kick is by getting in the water and kicking and going to weight room and lifting, not running.
