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.
Former Member
Kevin
I must have been an untrained swimmer, who maybe had pretty good technique.
Yesterday after posting that when I go to Mexico I will run in the sand dunnes, my wife asked me to take the laundry to the washing machine. I ran out of the room down the hall all the way to the laundry room, loaded the washer and ran back to the living room.
Sorry, Kevin. This is Ian's workout:
At the University of Texas, Crocker notched world records in the 100-meter, 50-meter butterfly, and 4x100-meter medley relay. His week mixes 18 hours of pool time with strength training.
THE PROGRAM: Three mornings a week, Crocker swims 2,000 yards, followed by an hour of sprints and stamina drills. Then he muscles through his weight training, which targets every major muscle group in his body. Tuesday and Thursday, his afternoon practice consists of a three-mile run, a series of push-ups, pull-ups, and jumping drills, and an evil exercise called "wheels." For this one, Crocker lies facedown on a rolling sled and, using his arms, pulls himself up a ramp at the football stadium. Monday through Friday, he ends his day with a repeat of his pool workout.
outside.away.com/.../crocker_krummenacker_blanton.html
Each athlete on this link is a professional athlete and each one cross trains. In fact, the specialist featured on the site says it is important to keep weight training up all season to maintain strength.
oh of course!
The expert on that site said (about another athlete), that "The body doesn't respond if you do the same thing all the time, so David works through a variety of training phases, which force his body to react and grow stronger and faster."
So I'm sure that laundry running constitutes as variety. :p
Besides, do we have any choice in the matter? Someone's gotta wash all those towels and running shorts and whatnot. Gotta go cross train.
:laugh2:
i'm going to think of cleaning my condo and other such chores as cross training. it's a whole new sport! we'll call the main fitness event the "Great American Chores Games"
Sorry, Kevin. This is Ian's workout:
Tuesday and Thursday, his afternoon practice consists of a three-mile run, a series of push-ups, pull-ups, and jumping drills, and an evil exercise called "wheels." For this one, Crocker lies facedown on a rolling sled and, using his arms, pulls himself up a ramp at the football stadium.
Lisa, I would pose the question... Would Ian's swimming suffer if he cut the running from his program?
I have actually wondered why the mega metres are necessary for people who compete in such short distances. Are all those metres really about being in good enough shape to practice more so than to actually race? I know I would have to be in much better shape than I am if I wanted to do all the choice/specialty sets as good quality butterfly.
Lindsay, good question/point.
The ratio of training to racing (even for long distance swimmers) is huge.
I think I would burn out if I didn't look forward to some small victory in every practice session (or at least every week). Knowing that friday is stroke (swimming) day keeps me psyched all week.
I have read statistics that only 30% +/- of masters swimmers are actively participating in competition. In that regard, this forum fails to represent the usms population for whom being in good enough shape to practice/train more is a perfectly desirable end product
WOW old post but I must say...
For someone who just started swimming at 38 (11 months ago), I am in need of a way to increase my cardio capacity in the pool (without having to swim 5 hrs a day) to where I can sprint with more than just a two beat kick for more than 50yds at a time without reverting back to 2 beat just to keep going. Most of my masters training is done with a 2 beat because as soon as I really engage my legs, my hr goes through the roof and fatigue sets in fast. We'll do from 3300 to 5300 yds every session and I keep up with the 2 beat.
Sets like 20 x 50y sprint are doable as long as I have enough recovery time between but it's too long. SO a few days ago I started running. I have the same problem running so I know I've found my weakness in the water, using my legs. I'm going to use running to increase stamina with my legs and improve my cardio performance on the 'between-masters' days. I'll repost here if it helps.
