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.
Is cross training only swimming running and cycling?
She (The Fortress) asked specifically about running.
I use a dry land program to keep my shoulders "healthy."
You are right Gull
May be I should have said running only for cross training is not the way to go. I still think my running up the ski hill helped keep me fit when a pool was not available but there are other things we can do which I mentioned. The runs up the hill included a lot of scambling also and I did not just run.
I entered a race down the Saguenay River 28 miles. Came 3rd after being out of the water from November til July 1st race date July 9th or 10th. I guess my posts should not have mentioned other activities. Running was only a minor part of what I did.
I should be fined by the post police.
cant we all just get along?
i'll tell a joke:
what did the snail say after he climbed on the turtle's back to cross the road?
It lools like nobody else is interested in the answer, so tell me.
As far as running for cross training, I would venture an opinion that there is some aerobic benefit but the other physical benefits are minimal. As a former runner (who quit 20 years ago after competing for the previous 20), I feel that the only real benefit to my swimming was the mental toughness I developed while a runner.
Those tri guys should know????
That completely tells me to break a Canadian record I only needed to train 800yards 3 x a week and race on Saturdays and not do the other stuff.
All that wall pulley stuff I did in the closet during the winter did not help when I was not able to swim in a pool. I guess I should have come out of the closet and not done it.
Forget all that running I did up the ski hill in La Tuque I should have just stayed in the bar at the bottom of the hill.
It's not that the tri guys know anything at all, but rather that if you want to study whether running helps swimming, you need a population that does a fair bit of both. Triathletes are a population that does that. It's got nothing to do with how good or bad triathletes are as people.
It also doesn't show that if you can't swim you should sit on your butt and drink. It has to do with how well running transfers to swimming in trained athletes.
Yes, it's interesting that we haven't had a single post from a triathlete on this topic. There are, in fact, athletes that can swim and run.
We haven't?
Who are the tri guys/girls? I assumed you weren't because you were asking for their input. I'm not a triathlete, but I am a swimmer sprinter/LSD runner. I said earlier that I don't think running transfers to swimming much for me. However, having given up running for a week or so to get ready for a meet and then doing a couple of sub-par backstroke starts, I may rethink that. Maybe my running legs help my starts. Or maybe I'm just superstitious...
Well I am one. I didn't ask for triathletes' input, maybe you misread.
I'm a USAT certified triathlon coach and a triathlete. Triathletes are not always well respected in single sport circles so I dont run around advertising it.
