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.
I think when many people think of adding running to their swimming, they add aerobic running. What would happen, for sprinters like Fortress (for example), if sprint running (e.g., train like Usain) was added as a dryland exercise complement to the pool? My hypothesis would be that training for a 100 yard/meter run might be beneficial from a leg explosiveness for starts/turns for people training for a 50/100 yard swim.
I tend to agree. I'm not on Fort's level, but I do think my HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) on the treadmill and the track help my explosiveness. These things are like weights though, so I think you have to be careful with how much you do so that you don't get too broken down.
Although I like to do it every now and then, supposedly, doing aerobic running works against keeping certain muscle fibers in fast-twitch mode. Lately, if I want to get out and enjoy the nice weather without an intense workout, I just walk.
I find that doing at least one hard run a week keeps the nerves in the legs sharp. I love to kick, but I've discovered that there is nothing like being in decent run shape to keep my legs from dying or cramping on a swim race.
My best 50 fly and 100 I.M. time in masters was in 2003. I wore a kneeskin, but had been running 17 to 25 miles a week up until 2 weeks before the meet. This certainly wasn't because I was at my lightest. My worse masters times were during a period when I was 5 pounds lighter than I was in 2003.
I think when many people think of adding running to their swimming, they add aerobic running. What would happen, for sprinters like Fortress (for example), if sprint running (e.g., train like Usain) was added as a dryland exercise complement to the pool? My hypothesis would be that training for a 100 yard/meter run might be beneficial from a leg explosiveness for starts/turns for people training for a 50/100 yard swim.
I tend to agree. I'm not on Fort's level, but I do think my HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) on the treadmill and the track help my explosiveness. These things are like weights though, so I think you have to be careful with how much you do so that you don't get too broken down.
Although I like to do it every now and then, supposedly, doing aerobic running works against keeping certain muscle fibers in fast-twitch mode. Lately, if I want to get out and enjoy the nice weather without an intense workout, I just walk.
I find that doing at least one hard run a week keeps the nerves in the legs sharp. I love to kick, but I've discovered that there is nothing like being in decent run shape to keep my legs from dying or cramping on a swim race.
My best 50 fly and 100 I.M. time in masters was in 2003. I wore a kneeskin, but had been running 17 to 25 miles a week up until 2 weeks before the meet. This certainly wasn't because I was at my lightest. My worse masters times were during a period when I was 5 pounds lighter than I was in 2003.
