SUMMER CHALLENGE III: CROSS TRAINING

Enjoying the pool on a hot afternoon, near Ojai CA. Taken by PKSenagore September 2012. All rights reserved.

Earned Runs Sticker. All rights reserved.

SUMMER CHALLENGE III: Fastest 5k or “Summer-full-of-fun-5K’s”.  HOW IS YOUR 5K TRAINING OR RACING GOING? Is the training plan you’ve chosen providing a needed break from the heavy-duty workouts required to prepare for a marathon or half marathon? Or if you’re participating in fun weekend 5K’s frequently, instead of scheduling speed sessions, are you feeling refreshed in mind and spirit?
 
To increase the enjoyment of your ‘vacation’ from hard training, or to decrease the number of days spent running each week, consider cross-training with an activity that can be performed outdoors.  Like aqua-jogging or biking, two of the three sports recommended in the article, “Why Runners Should Embrace Cross-Training” by Caitlin Chock for Competitor.com.
 
She explains why cross-training is not just a strategy for recovering from an injury, but a wear-and-tear-saving practice employed by elite athletes in fine form and good health who wish to avoid injury. Elliptical work is the third recommended cross-training activity.  It’s usually an indoor session, unless you have access to an ElliptiGo.  Chock reports that elite runners, Meb Kefleghizi and Lauren Fleshman “have been vocal about how their cross-trainer of choice, the ElliptiGo, enables them to remain healthy and ‘make-up for’ some of the land miles their competitors are doing.”
 
AQUA JOGGING can allow runners to spend time in outdoor pools with the family, while incorporating a cross-training effort.  The use of an aqua-jogging belt helps with staying upright and maintaining good in-water form.
 
BIKING/CYCLING can be performed with high intensity on a stationary bike, as suggested in the article.  Or it can be experienced on a real bicycle, as a relaxing activity alone or with others, later in the day after an early, harder running session.
 
Whichever activity, in the summertime, try to enjoy it and do so outdoors.  Make summer a season to escape the usual pressures of the remainder of the year, when of necessity we spend more time indoors.
 
RUN HAPPY!
 
SAVE THIS ARTICLE FOR LATER REFERENCE; IT’S “CHOCK” FULL OF HELPFUL INFORMATION! http://running.competitor.com/2014/08/training/runners-embrace-cross-training_111997

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