Focus is foremost, when it comes to
fitness. Marathon training is a prime example. Long-distance runners aim to
rack up multitudinous miles in the months leading up to big races. On the other
hand (er, foot), cross training makes perfect sense for tons of reasons.
Sure, a day spent in a different sport
may sound like a diversion. But that’s sort of the point.
Having started a little late to the whole running thing (as in, within the past decade), I have to admit something here. I learned this the hard way. In fact, I am still learning it the hard way. It’s easy to get greedy with mileage, relishing the increasing total each long run brings. (This is especially true during year-long mileage challenges, when lots of us try to run the year’s worth of miles.)
And the chasing-the-new-PR thing is a temptation beast all its own.
So this post is sort of a preaching-to-the-mirror thing.
Humor me, if you will.
Having started a little late to the whole running thing (as in, within the past decade), I have to admit something here. I learned this the hard way. In fact, I am still learning it the hard way. It’s easy to get greedy with mileage, relishing the increasing total each long run brings. (This is especially true during year-long mileage challenges, when lots of us try to run the year’s worth of miles.)
And the chasing-the-new-PR thing is a temptation beast all its own.
So this post is sort of a preaching-to-the-mirror thing.
Humor me, if you will.
What
do you do for fun and fitness, besides running? And how does it help you?
Personally, I enjoy hiking, horseback
riding, and a bit of biking on my non-running days. I’m
even learning to enjoy a little weight training. Sometimes I pursue these
activities on running days as well, if time and energy permit.
Cross
training brings a welcome variety to the picture.
Let’s face it. Exercise can be
downright boring. Runners get into a groove, especially when we take favorite
soundtracks along with us. And that runner’s high is no joke. Still, any
exercise can become drudgery, if we get into a rut with it. Cross training
allows us to step back and change the channel for a bit.
Pursuing an assortment of high- and
low-intensity physical activities is good for our mental health and overall
fitness. We have to work our minds to master other sports. We have to build and
flex and exert other muscles. We test our balance, cardio capacity, flexibility,
and endurance in new ways.
Cross training offers runners an
opportunity to continue exercising, while recovering from running-related
injuries. We can find alternative ways to stay fit, even if we can’t pound out
actual miles for a stretch.
Here’s the best part. Cross training
is fun. A runner can try out all sorts of recreational activities without
feeling the need to go whole hog with them.
If running is your thing, then you can
give yourself permission to be a rank newbie at another sport or two. Go ahead
and flub things. You can always go home and boost your own personal
sports-confidence by rearranging your running medals. (See? You’re still an
athlete, even if you couldn’t hit the ball or master the butterfly stroke.)
OK, that all sounds like basic common
sense. But it’s true.
Maybe
moderation is the key.
If I don’t run for a day or two, I
totally crave it. But if I skip too many days in a row, I almost don’t want to
return to running. It’s a quirky sort of balance.
Images:
Sports icons – public domain image
Horseback Riding – personal photo. All
rights reserved.
Cross-training definition – Fair use
screenshot
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