OK, how many people on here would rather be a runner than a swimmer, but due to injuries or something else have been forced to turn to a sport that has less impact on the body?
I swim as cross training for running. I found that every day running did not work for me(although I would love to if I could) but 3 times per week does even with high mileage.
I do love swimming and the feeling after a good workout, however, for me, it cannot compare to the feeling of running. It is so much more relaxing and provides better "thinking time than swimming".
OK, let me add a wrinkle to this discussion:
Which is more expensive, running or swimming?
for me - running has been much more expensive, although I don't swim a lot of competitive events so not many enty fees.
I buy a new pair of running shoes about every 3-4 months or about 300 miles. Yes, I could get $150+ running shoes, but I usually settle for something about $70. I get about 3 new running shirts a year (with the wicking material), maybe $15-20 each (Kohl's clearance), maybe 6 pairs of running socks a year, $15. I've had the same shorts for years, and have a few, these don't seem to wear at all. So in a year I'd guess roughly $400.
For swimming, my dues are ~$65/month, then about 4 suits a year ($15 each), 4 goggles a year ($10 each), puts that at about $900/year.
So not counting any races, meets, etc. Just to workout in each, swimming is over twice what running costs me, and the majority of that is for the team dues. Sure, I could join a running club and run with a group, but I like my freedom to run what I want, when I want, where I want. Occasionally I'll happen upon a group and run with them for a mile or so, but after having to run with a group in the Army, I like running solo. More often, I'll plan to run with someone on my own, either who I work with (although they do it once then flake out after that), or who I swim with (we have lots of triathletes).
Since I use my iPod for more than just running (it is a necessity for travel), I don't count that. I guess the Nike+ thing I could count for running tho, I think it was $30 and will last a few years.
OK, let me add a wrinkle to this discussion:
Which is more expensive, running or swimming?
for me - running has been much more expensive, although I don't swim a lot of competitive events so not many enty fees.
I buy a new pair of running shoes about every 3-4 months or about 300 miles. Yes, I could get $150+ running shoes, but I usually settle for something about $70. I get about 3 new running shirts a year (with the wicking material), maybe $15-20 each (Kohl's clearance), maybe 6 pairs of running socks a year, $15. I've had the same shorts for years, and have a few, these don't seem to wear at all. So in a year I'd guess roughly $400.
For swimming, my dues are ~$65/month, then about 4 suits a year ($15 each), 4 goggles a year ($10 each), puts that at about $900/year.
So not counting any races, meets, etc. Just to workout in each, swimming is over twice what running costs me, and the majority of that is for the team dues. Sure, I could join a running club and run with a group, but I like my freedom to run what I want, when I want, where I want. Occasionally I'll happen upon a group and run with them for a mile or so, but after having to run with a group in the Army, I like running solo. More often, I'll plan to run with someone on my own, either who I work with (although they do it once then flake out after that), or who I swim with (we have lots of triathletes).
Since I use my iPod for more than just running (it is a necessity for travel), I don't count that. I guess the Nike+ thing I could count for running tho, I think it was $30 and will last a few years.
