| As beginning runners (or any runners for that matter!), | | | | So, what kinds of cross training are there? |
| we often tend to stick to the one thing we know: | | | | There's riding a bike... But cycling can be expensive! |
| Running. | | | | There are treadmills and elliptical machines at the gym... |
| And at Ordinary Runner ( we certainly believe | | | | But the gym can be expensive, too, and one of the |
| EVERYONE should be a runner! | | | | reasons we are runners is because we like the price! |
| However, running does give us quite a pounding on our | | | | Water Running |
| legs! Our joints and muscles are repeatedly shocked | | | | My recommended cross training activity is water |
| throughout the course of a run... And the more intense | | | | running. It does take a one-time investment in an aqua |
| the run, the more pounding they take! | | | | jogger shoes or gloves (around $15-20) or an aqua |
| Cross training a day or two a week can work | | | | jogging vest or belt (a $45-55 cost), but after that, |
| wonders! | | | | you're good to go! |
| What is cross training, you ask? | | | | Just get in the deep water at your nearest pool, and |
| It basically means that you "cross over" for a day into | | | | run in the water. (It takes a little getting used to, but it's |
| another aerobic exercise area, instead of only running, | | | | really very simple. In no time, you'll be water running |
| in order to help prevent injury. (Or to recover after an | | | | with the best of 'em! |
| injury!) | | | | The health benefit of water running is big! |
| Don't get me wrong! Running, as we've stated before, | | | | When you do your water running, your heart rate still |
| is NUMERO UNO as far as aerobic exercises go! | | | | gets up there (so you get the aerobic benefit), but your |
| Nothing gets your heart rate going like a good run! | | | | muscles get a rest from the pounding for a day. |
| But running does give you a good pounding! | | | | So it's a perfect cross-training activity. |
| So lots and lots of runners take a day or two a week | | | | And just by doing water running, you're helping yourself |
| and cross train. | | | | prevent injury! |
| For cross training, you want to do another activity that | | | | And if you're already injured (Let's hope not! But |
| elevates your heart rate, but doesn't pound you quite | | | | occasionally it does happen!), water running is perfect |
| as much as running. | | | | for keeping your aerobic fitness up while your injury |
| This gives your muscles and joints a rest, while | | | | heals. |
| keeping your heart going! | | | | So, take some good advice on running for beginners! |
| Cross training has some great benefits: | | | | For all of you who love running and want to keep |
| 1) Gives joints, bones, and muscles a much needed | | | | doing it for years... |
| rest, making them fresher for your next run. | | | | ... Water aerobic exercise, in the form of water running, |
| 2) Still increases your heart rate, so you still get a good | | | | is a great way to cross train and save your legs! |
| aerobic workout even on the days you don't run. | | | | You'll be saving some of the miles in your legs for |
| 3) Breaks the routine. (I mean, we love running, but | | | | another day! |
| sometimes it's just nice to do something else!) | | | | |