How do I cross train?

[james'mommy]

First off you all have been very paitent in answering my basic and stupid question.

I was wondering what exactly qualifies as cross training. I just started C25K this week. I the off days I do some light treadmill and weights. I'm not really pushing myself on the weights. Am I cross training or should I be doing something different? I can't bike because of a traumatic bike injury. (okay it was more like a stupid mistake. I was in college and riding my bike to work and I wasn't paying attention. I hit a fire hydrant and went flying over the handle bars into the street.)

Thanks again for all of your help.

 

[Big Vic]

Here's some information which may help you.

Cross Training For Runners

 

[Steffwalks]

Hi Shannon!

Great question. I like to do weights and pilates. Sometimes, I do bellydancing because it's fun. Mostly, cross training is doing an exercise or activity that dosn't require you to run. Stretching, yoga, pilates, dancing, swimming, water aerobics, weight training, hiking, etc. This helps your overall conditioning and makes your core strong along with your other muscles.

 

[jmasgat]

I use cross trainingas a way to maintain/improve my aerobic fitness while also giving my legs a break from running. So I do stationary bike, swimming on some of my non-running days. I have also added in yoga to try and improve my flexibility and weight training to stay overall strong.


Maura

 

[chimera]

I was in college and riding my bike to work and I wasn't paying attention. I hit a fire hydrant and went flying over the handle bars into the street.)

Others around here <cough, cough> might have had a similar experience...or two...

Cross-training (some folks around here will abbreviate it as XT) should work different muscle groups than running. There's debate on whether walking is cross training for running or not since the muscle groups are similar.

Doing core stuff like yoga, pilates, weights can be huge for runners. We have a bunch of triathletes around here that do all sorts of fun stuff, depending on the season. I think if my Powerball numbers ever come through, I'll go crazy with the XT, but right now, most of mine consists of yelling at the Wii Fit trainer while doing the yoga/strength training exercises.

 

[swim-mom]

Here's some information which may help you.

Cross Training For Runners

Thanks for the site!!

 

[tiberius]

Others around here <cough, cough> might have had a similar experience...or two...

Guilty!

I've flipped over my handlebars at least 4 times that I can recall (fortunately all quite a few years back and more fortunately before I ever realized just how dangerous that could have been).
I did learn a few lessons like when the front wheel stops spinning your momentum carries you over it.

The great thing about XT is that there is a wide variety of things that can work for anyone. For me it is biking and swimming (and sometimes weights), but for others it is something else that works for them, and for the record your question is neither basic ( I know many very good runners who do not properly cross train) nor it is stupid (it is in fact a wise question to ask).

 

[heatherlynn444]

weight lifting and elliptial is what I ususally do, sometimes stationary bike. (no flipping over handlebars)