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.
Wow, I don't look at the USMS forums for a few days and then it takes me an hour just to catch up on this one thread!!
I am running now and not swimming because my team's season does not start until mid-Nov (we take the SCM season off) and I suck at swimming on my own. Actually, I suck at training any sport without a team/group.
So... the running is for a 10k I'm doing with my sister Nov 11 (running on my own, but fear of utter humiliation by baby sister keeps me going). Swim team starts back up Nov 15th. The running will help my swimming simply because if I wasn't training for the 10k I'd probably be sitting on my butt. As soon as I finish that 10k I don't plan to run again until after IL States (April). Then I'll run enough to respectably finish the local triathlon I do.
In the past, I have run before during the swim season. Didn't notice anything wrt freestyle, but running destroys my breaststroke. My legs are pooped. The breaststroke times really drop when I stop running, but I get the same effect by tapering too (50 *** dropped over 3 sec last season from in-season meets to tapered meets), so dunno if the time improvement is from running or just tapering.
Regardless, the only thing I really believe about running is QUIT RUNNING at least a week or 2 (or more) out from your big shave-and-taper meet!
Wow, I don't look at the USMS forums for a few days and then it takes me an hour just to catch up on this one thread!!
I am running now and not swimming because my team's season does not start until mid-Nov (we take the SCM season off) and I suck at swimming on my own. Actually, I suck at training any sport without a team/group.
So... the running is for a 10k I'm doing with my sister Nov 11 (running on my own, but fear of utter humiliation by baby sister keeps me going). Swim team starts back up Nov 15th. The running will help my swimming simply because if I wasn't training for the 10k I'd probably be sitting on my butt. As soon as I finish that 10k I don't plan to run again until after IL States (April). Then I'll run enough to respectably finish the local triathlon I do.
In the past, I have run before during the swim season. Didn't notice anything wrt freestyle, but running destroys my breaststroke. My legs are pooped. The breaststroke times really drop when I stop running, but I get the same effect by tapering too (50 *** dropped over 3 sec last season from in-season meets to tapered meets), so dunno if the time improvement is from running or just tapering.
Regardless, the only thing I really believe about running is QUIT RUNNING at least a week or 2 (or more) out from your big shave-and-taper meet!
