Would you rather be a runner?

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Former Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:11:21 GMT

It didn't seem like badnees was alluding to track runners is his post, though. Appeared more like he was talking about zoning out running which is most likely to occur on trails, streets, the treadmill. Treadmills suck but have gotten zoned out in running after a couple of miles you can just go on autopilot. Same with swimming...you can just shut down everything except the 5 senses and swim on and on. I got into this groove at dusk in the outdoor pool training for OW. Less thought about stroke technique and just more swimming comfortably and mentally dissolving into the dusky blue water...it was bliss. I'd do another 500 just because it was such a cool feeling.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Former Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:26:41 GMT

I guess there are a lot of variables Swimming has been pretty inexpensive for me goggles $8 earplugs $4 2 bathing suits on clearance $11 pool membership $150 running more so orthotics $500 shoes $350 entry fees $400 clothes $150 lots of misc probably $200 In reality, both could be really low cost if you don't enter races, swim on a team etc, and use your equipment to it's fullest

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Former Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:26:31 GMT

Which costs more medically??? All I ever hear is about all the medical injuries of runners. Swimmers who swim breaststroke are the medical risks for sure. My knees I blame on running when I was a kid, not on swimming. My broken ankle came from walking, I stepped in a pothole. I did have swimmers ear once.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Former Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:51:55 GMT

When I was trying to find out why runners run. I checked to see how important all four extremities were to swimming and running I came accross this. www.world-science.net/.../060221_unertanfrm.htm

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Former Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:10:53 GMT

In terms of expense swimming is certainly more expensive than running in my experience. I use to run track and still do run for fun once in a while (more when I am not being hassled and haggled by college swim schedule) but I've swam the whole time. The cost of swim suits alone per year is more expensive to me than most pairs of running shoes I've ever owned (and while I've never bought any outlandishly expensive shoes I have had some costly, higher quality running shoes). But then there is also goggles, caps, technical suits, various swim toys, etc. And in my case swimming has been a $80,000+ expense in the 12 years since I started as a result of having both shoulders reconstructed (but I don't hold that expense against the sport).

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Former Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:59:29 GMT

Athletes running on springy tracks; they use extended postures of knee and hip to give them straighter legs. I don't think we were meant to run. We got crossed up years ago. We were meant to do lots of tree climbing. www.liv.ac.uk/.../orang-utan.htm Big question did I see anyone I know in that little video???

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Former Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:57:14 GMT

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Former Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:40:30 GMT

I think when someone dislikes running, it is because running is so much more difficult that swimmming. Now don't blast me for that yet, let me explain. And it's true, after 45 minutes or so you enter a zone, some call it the 'runner's high', that you will never experience swimming. Again, I love swimming, the great feeling after a swim, lots of things about it, but it cannot compare to running. Also, swimming doesn't have that signature event like running has in the MARATHON.:thhbbb: Good topic BTW. I won't "blast" you but I will disagree. If running is so much harder, why are there over 37,000 people running the NYC Marathon each year but if you totaled up every 10k swim race (the only event close in time/distance) in the country including age groupers you'd be lucky to have 5% of that. And that is only one marathon. I don't think for a minute that running a marathon is easy, but you could much easier take a group of people and train them properly to run a marathon than to get them to finish an open water 10k or even one in the pool. Heck, just see how many people you could get to swim 100 yards without stopping. As far as a runners high goes, if you were to train for a long distance swimming event, you will get the same high. I get it around 50 minutes depending on pace, and get it again at various points as time progresses. I've heard you can get it during any long aerobic activity.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Former Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:48:03 GMT

I have arthritis in both my ankle and my knee-plus a good 30 pounds extra weight. I don't believe my body would apreciate any attempts at running:cane:.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Former Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:11:04 GMT

I think it's great that some people like to run.I just happen to hate,despise,detest,and loath it.Oh did I mention I don't like to run?:rofl::2cents: Allen, running is even more unnatural for the average Breaststroker with turned out feet...

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Former Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:50:34 GMT

...I've actually heard in the past year about a new event. It's called AquaBike. It's a TRI with no running. The name seems a little awkward to me. (People always think I'm talking about those things with big wheels). I hope it catches on! :fish2: JIM Sounds perfect for me, I hope someone up here organizes one soon. Funny you should mention those things with big wheel, there's a fellow who plans to pedal across the Atlantic this year in an enclosed kayak-type vessel equipped with a recumbant bike drive train.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Former Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:39:54 GMT

I started running more when I started doing Tri's last year. I do not like running at all. But I know I need to get better at it. Running and biking are what I do to cross train for swimming, though. I've actually heard in the past year about a new event. It's called AquaBike. It's a TRI with no running. The name seems a little awkward to me. (People always think I'm talking about those things with big wheels). I hope it catches on! :fish2: JIM

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Former Member — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:19:25 GMT

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 here my thoughts. I ran almost exclusively for about 10yrs (would swim once a week as cross training). I loved running primarily because the scenery is better than doing laps. Running is a great workout, but its more of a endurance thing. Swimming is not only endurance but technique. Swimming is like golf, you don't get better at it simply by putting more effort into it. I vote for swimming! :thhbbb:

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

Allen Stark — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:13:22 GMT

I think it's great that some people like to run.I just happen to hate,despise,detest,and loath it.Oh did I mention I don't like to run?:rofl::2cents:

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

aquageek — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:46:00 GMT

It would be helpful if you compared apples to apples. You are comparing simple non competitive, non team swimming to full blown competitive running. If you want to compare accurately, add in meet costs, coach costs, USMS costs, real gear costs, travel costs, etc. For example, you cannot compare $350 worth of shoes, which is at least 2 pairs of top quality running shoes to $11 worth of crappy grab bag lycra suits. Boy, I'd kill for $150/year for a pool. That's super cheap.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

aztimm — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:11:11 GMT

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.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

The Fortress — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:54:59 GMT

Running is practically free compared to swimming.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

aquaFeisty — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:50:46 GMT

Aquageek nailed it. Swimming is the more expensive sport simply because you need access to a pool*. If you look at the most basic of the required equipment (suit/cap/goggles vs. good running shoes), the cost of the equipment could probably go either way depending on your shoe requirements, how fast you go through suits, how cheap you find your suits, etc. *In most parts of the country. I guess if you lived somewhere warm within walking distance of a clean and safe body of water, you could argue swimming has the same accessibility as running. Sadly, very VERY few of us are in this locale.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

aquaFeisty — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:46:04 GMT

What?! Serious runners are seriously OCD. For me, swimming is far the more technique driven sport. Thus, there are more opportunities for OCD-ness. Number of strokes per lap, breathing pattern, SDKs off each wall, kicks per stroke cycle, body rotation on every lap, etc etc etc, and this is BEFORE we start talking drills/kicking/pulling... heck, I'm just talking about freestyle. Unless you are swimming open water, you are in a controlled environment in which every other length is *exactly* the same, so you can go nuts focussing on these fun little tidbits of technique. Not the case in running, though perhaps indoor track comes close. It didn't seem like badnees was alluding to track runners is his post, though. Appeared more like he was talking about zoning out running which is most likely to occur on trails, streets, the treadmill. Not many track runners zoning out during speedwork would be my guess.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

ViveBene — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:38:31 GMT

George, that's a fascinating video. Thanks for posting. In slo-mo dialup, the orang seems to identify and look at the videographer, fleetingly. Nobody knows why humans got down off trees and began loping across savannas, but it seems the idea of loping - short, quick sprints - got built in skeletally and neurologically, and we are still there! Incidentally, physical anthropologists believe that human expansion out of Africa into Europe and Asia happened rather quickly, aided by two legs under us (rather than somewhat outside main frame) and curiosity. Our forebears were definitely on the road. Back on topic, I guess I wouldn't rather be a runner. I'd rather be an astronaut (land, water, sky). LOL. Regards, VB

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

ourswimmer — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:33:50 GMT

in the early 90's I ran the cap 10,000 one year without training at all ran the first mile in 6 minutes crossed the line at 54 minutes oh my that's sad :thhbbb: I used to love to run, and it made me a better swimmer too. I don't wish I were a runner rather than a swimmer, but I sure do wish I were a runner rather than a non-runner.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

aquageek — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:14:03 GMT

Swimming is vastly more expensive and that's before you buy a single item for the sport. The cost of a pool membership, team dues and coaching fees annually will buy all you need to run, well, maybe except for the ipod. Toss in a kid or two on a year round team and you have a car payment or more per month to swim.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

aquageek — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:24:32 GMT

Allen, running is even more unnatural for the average Breaststroker with turned out feet... Many small, locally owned, running shops can do a video gait analysis on you and get you in the right shoe for this. I have the same issue and there are plenty of shoes that will help, if you are so inclined.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

aquageek — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:00:31 GMT

Aquabike is being added to many USAT triathlons across the country. I don't really see the point but that's irrelevant. What is does show is that USAT is really aggressively marketing their organization and including all sorts of distances and events to keep their numbers swelling. Love em or hate em, USAT has their act together.

RE: Would you rather be a runner?

cathym — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 07:42:09 GMT

Best of both, I had a great deep water run today, water temp 77, air close to 80, no one else in the pool, no cars whizzing by, very nice for cross training-sometimes you just don't feel like a swim or a run.