Books to Improve your Running
Cross training is a very worthwhile endeavor for most runners. Many runners make
the mistake of thinking participation in other types of exercise will only
detract from the running but this is simply not true. Runners may find the gain
a variety of benefits from cross training as opposed to using running as the
only form of exercise. This article will examine a few cross training options
for runners and will also provide information on how this cross training can be
beneficial to the runner.
There are a couple of different theories on cross training for runners. One
theory is to select an activity which is closely related to running and to use
this activity to augment your running program. Another theory is to select
activities which are not closely related to running and to use these activities
to complement your running program. The use of both types of cross training is
considered to be useful; however, it is up to the runner to determine which type
works best for him. However, in general runners who are training for a serious
event and are very dedicated to performing well in this event are likely to
select cross training activities which are very similar to running while runners
who run simply for exercise are more likely to opt for cross training activities
which are not closely related to running. Additionally, runners who participate
in multifaceted events such as triathlons are likely to cross train using
unrelated activities in an effort to properly prepare them for the swim and bike
legs of the triathlon. In this article we will examine both types of cross
training and will provide information on the benefits of each type of cross
training.
First we will consider cross training which is very similar in nature to
running. This includes activities which engage the same muscles in a manner
which is very similar to running. However, these cross training activities are
typically lower in impact than traditional running. It is this similarity in
muscle engagement combined with the lower impact which drives many runners to
these types of activities. Examples of these types of activities may include
using elliptical fitness trainers, water jogging and even using ski machines. As
previously mentioned, runners who favor these types of activities are usually
serious runners who are training for a specific event and do not want to
sacrifice running time with cross training activities which are not necessarily
designed to help the runner improve. However, they likely realize just how
taxing running can be and realize the need to incorporate lower impact
activities into their regular training schedule to lessen the strain on the
runner’s body.
Next we will consider runners who exercise mostly for the physical benefits of
runners. These runners may not be training for any particular race or event.
They may simply enjoy running enough to use this activity as their primary
source of exercise. However, they too realize limiting themselves to only
running puts a tremendous amount of strain on the body. Additionally, they
realize this strain can be reduced by incorporating other types of lower impact
activity or even activities which primarily engage different muscle into the
training program can be very beneficial. These runners may opt for a wide
variety of activities such as swimming, biking, participating in team sports
such as basketball and soccer, skiing, yoga or even dance as a way to stay
active while not overstressing the muscles and joints used primarily in running.
Finally, we will consider runners who choose to participate in events and
competitions which include different activities such as triathlons. A triathlon
consists of a swim leg, a bike leg and concludes with a run leg. Athletes who
participate in these types of events may start out focusing on one of the events
exclusively but may opt to branch out and start training for the other types of
events to participate in this fun sport. Runners who have an interest in
participating in triathlons will likely do some of their cross training by
swimming and biking. In this case, swimming and biking not only gives the runner
a break from running but also helps to prepare him for the other events.
Runners who opt to cross train, either to improve their running or simply to
give themselves a break from running should be aware of a number of different
factors which may indicate whether or not the cross training is working well for
them. Specifically, these runners should monitor their morning heart rate
regularly while they are cross training. This is because an elevated heart rate
is a good indication that the runner is overexerting himself during his cross
training efforts. In this case, it may be necessary for the runner to scale back
the cross training or participate in activities which are less taxing on the
body until the morning heart rates return to normal.
