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
I don't know if this has been mentioned, but I was recently speaking with a doctor about swimming (off topic) as he was tending to my injured hand. He said that cross training is important as we age. He has read several cases where swimmers get osteoporosis in later life because the weightless nature of swimming has not required their bones to remain tough.
www.spma.net/swimosteo.htm
It's good to cross-train. Running and telemark skiing for me. It's the doctor's orders.
Agreed, but the running or telemark skiing (not sure what that is) will not improve your swimming (which was the original question).
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.
How many doctors actually know anything about conditioning the body for swimming. Can he tell you how to get rid of runner's kick in swimming. Does the doctor recommend running backwards, this happens to be the way to eliminate runner's kick when you swim.
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.
Agree completely (especially as to point 3; same benefit from weightlifting).
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.
Very good Joshua, I did rowing, canoeing, cycling, and played basket ball.
The main word here is if and it should be maybe.
1, 2, 3, 4 may come true it also may not come true.
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.
You failed to notice that I qualified each statement with my/I and my conclusions are correct because based on my training I have increased my power, speed, lactate threshold, and core strength from running/sprinting.
You seem to really miss the point that targeted cross-training can be beneficial. Yes, I do box jumps/plyo, targeted weight training focusing on explosive movements to build strength, power and core stabilization, as well as strengthening regiment to keep my shoulders healthy, I do this in addition stretching and a little bit of gung fu. I have the benefit of having a CSCS/PT for a wife who is pretty well versed on the subject and keeps my training on target.
And honestly based on your statements about long-distance running its pretty obvious that you didn't read what I said about sprinting or being a sprinter. I don't think long distance running benefits swim sprinting but I do think that running sprints has benefits for sprinting swimmers.
Just to comment on a few of your statements:
1. A track start is a track start either on the block or in the blocks. You need explosive power for both.
2. Running sprints helps me to maintain fast twitch muscle fibers. It also builds core strength/abs which you need for strong turns. The arm pumping/cross motion when you run sprints also mirrors the cross motion when you pull and again builds ab/core strength. Ab/core strength has also been shown to take pressure off the shoulders... I could go on.
3. Busting out a set of 40ies with a warm-up does not take but 45 minutes or so. Not a lot of time in the big picture
4. I do stretch to maintain flexibility (personally Im not all that worried about may ankle flexibility... my feet bend almost backwards)
5. Running sprints helps build lactate threshold
6. Why would I want to swim distance to help with my sprinting? Totally different animal, totally different pain (mental toughness).
7. Yes, anything that will help with burnout is beneficial but the question mentioned running...
So no, running sprints is not the be-all-end cross-training exercise. Its just one component that can benefit your power in the water.
One only needs to make a quick search on the Internet to find medical journal (or page through JSMs) articles on core stabilization, lactate threshold, building/maintaining of fast twitch muscle fibers, ect.... Running sprints helps with all of these things.
Agreed. As do various other activities such as kettlebell swings, Concept 2 Rower and my personal favorite - pounding the tire in my backyard with a sledgehammer. And all these activities fall into the category of GPP.
