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.
Again, I disagree (on the running at least... not a lot of skiing in FL) Here is why...
1. If I drop weight from running (endurance running) and my speed increases in the water from having a lower profile, then I have improved my swimming.
2. If I increase the power of my starts/turns/kick, etc. from track sprinting and improve my times then I have improved my swimming.
3. If I can build my mental toughness from working through the pain a track sprint workout and then transfer this mental toughness to my swimming then I have improved my swimming.
4. If running keeps me from getting burned out in the water then it improves my swimming.
You have made 4 "if then" statements. These are also known as conditionals i.e., the conclusion is dependent on the hypothesis being correct.
In #1 there are two hypotheses: dropping weight from running, having a lower profile in the water and these resulting in increased speed (improved swimming).
Possible problems: running long distances causes muscular atrophy, particularly in the upper body, which may result in slower times. Running may tire the legs resulting in slower swimming. Spending time running usually means less time swimming which may result in less swimming proficiency. Running results in less ankle flexibility.
In #2 the hypothesis is that sprinting will positively effect starts/turns/kicks. I doubt that. The mechanics are totally different. I would propose that a more effective way of increasing push off speed is by doing exercises such as a push press, a jump squat etc.
#3: why not build mental toughness by swimming long distances?
#4: this statement has nothing to do specifically with running but with non-swimming activities. To go to a slight extreme you can say that playing chess will help your swimming because it prevents burnout. More seriously, you can say the same for basketball which, with all the jumping, would seem to me to have more carry over. At any rate, nothing here to logically support running specifically.
Again, I disagree (on the running at least... not a lot of skiing in FL) Here is why...
1. If I drop weight from running (endurance running) and my speed increases in the water from having a lower profile, then I have improved my swimming.
2. If I increase the power of my starts/turns/kick, etc. from track sprinting and improve my times then I have improved my swimming.
3. If I can build my mental toughness from working through the pain a track sprint workout and then transfer this mental toughness to my swimming then I have improved my swimming.
4. If running keeps me from getting burned out in the water then it improves my swimming.
You have made 4 "if then" statements. These are also known as conditionals i.e., the conclusion is dependent on the hypothesis being correct.
In #1 there are two hypotheses: dropping weight from running, having a lower profile in the water and these resulting in increased speed (improved swimming).
Possible problems: running long distances causes muscular atrophy, particularly in the upper body, which may result in slower times. Running may tire the legs resulting in slower swimming. Spending time running usually means less time swimming which may result in less swimming proficiency. Running results in less ankle flexibility.
In #2 the hypothesis is that sprinting will positively effect starts/turns/kicks. I doubt that. The mechanics are totally different. I would propose that a more effective way of increasing push off speed is by doing exercises such as a push press, a jump squat etc.
#3: why not build mental toughness by swimming long distances?
#4: this statement has nothing to do specifically with running but with non-swimming activities. To go to a slight extreme you can say that playing chess will help your swimming because it prevents burnout. More seriously, you can say the same for basketball which, with all the jumping, would seem to me to have more carry over. At any rate, nothing here to logically support running specifically.
