Cross Training?

[soveryexcited]

So I'm going to ask a lot of questions but the amount of knowledge you ladies have is super impressive and inspiring.

Thanks to you ladies, I downloaded the Hal Hidgon half marathon training program and am going to start it today. It looks like two days it calls for cross training- I don't currently have a bike or access to a pool so swimming and cycling are out for me. Does circuit training fall under cross training?

How important is the weight training aspect of it? I've got an friend who is a personal trainer and when I told her that I've just been running (no weight training) for the past couple of months she had a ''clutch your pearls'' moment and told me I had to start strength training right away, but didn't really clarify what for.

Thanks again ladies.

[archaeominx]

I will also make her clutch her pearls and do very little strength training myself, but I run halfs without too much trouble

Anyway, I do cardio for my cross-training, either spin classes or getting out on the road. Any gyms local to you that you could at least take a class at? That would probably be cheaper than joining for a full membership. How were you planning on doing circuit training? (Wasn't sure if you had equipment at home)

[shorty20]

Yes, circuit training definitely counts.

IMO, you should lift weights. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even at rest. I'm not talking body builder muscles either, so don't get scared about that. Building lean muscle will help with your running, plus it will reshape your body. It's a total win win.

2-3 days a week is plenty, and don't work the same muscles on back to back days, they need time to recover. This is actually when they repair themselves and grow (during rest), not while you're actually lifting them.

[Deleted]

I'm also a supporter of lifting weights. It's great XT and it will ultimately support and enhance your running.

[ebeth]

cross training and weight training will both help prevent injury. so cosider incorporating both.

[texassmith]

Weight training will help prevent injury. I have learned this the hard way :/ It will also help you be faster.

Yoga is another great form of cross training. It doesn't have to be a super calorie burn to be meaningful. I also really like the P90X Stretch DVD for "stretch and strengthen" days (I think that's what HH calls them).

[kams]

Weight training is so, so important to reduce the risk of injury. Not necessarily heavy Olympic lifting, but if you can bodypump or something similar, you'll probably really benefit.

Do anything you enjoy for xt-ing, because you want to keep it fun!

[Deleted]

Weight training, especially core work, made running so much easier. That was enough motivation to get me to add it in.

[brittmk0922]

I am in the same boat as the others that point out that weight training is important to prevent injuries!

[tuggyruns]

Jan 3, 2013 12:30:50 GMT -5 archaeominx said:

I will also make her clutch her pearls and do very little strength training myself, but I run halfs without too much trouble
Anyway, I do cardio for my cross-training, either spin classes or getting out on the road. Any gyms local to you that you could at least take a class at? That would probably be cheaper than joining for a full membership. How were you planning on doing circuit training? (Wasn't sure if you had equipment at home)

You may runs halfs "without too much trouble" but I can bet your buttons that if you cross trained you would be running faster.

I too ran half "without much trouble" but as soon as I stepped up to marathon distance, I got a swift smack in the face (twice now), for being arrogant enough to think my body could (or should) handle that distance without cross training. DO your body a favor, cross train.

Try to find a program that works the muscles that running doesn't, or works the muscles that supports your running muscles, the best do both.

Circut training def counts. Prevent injury, the mental damage injury does to a runner is just as bad as the physical. Cross train.

~Gimp (who spent an hour water running this morning because she didn't cross train)

[MrsE]

Jan 3, 2013 13:54:29 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

Jan 3, 2013 12:30:50 GMT -5 archaeominx said:

I will also make her clutch her pearls and do very little strength training myself, but I run halfs without too much trouble
Anyway, I do cardio for my cross-training, either spin classes or getting out on the road. Any gyms local to you that you could at least take a class at? That would probably be cheaper than joining for a full membership. How were you planning on doing circuit training? (Wasn't sure if you had equipment at home)

You may runs halfs "without too much trouble" but I can bet your buttons that if you cross trained you would be running faster.

I too ran half "without much trouble" but as soon as I stepped up to marathon distance, I got a swift smack in the face (twice now), for being arrogant enough to think my body could (or should) handle that distance without cross training. DO your body a favor, cross train.

Try to find a program that works the muscles that running doesn't, or works the muscles that supports your running muscles, the best do both.

Circut training def counts. Prevent injury, the mental damage injury does to a runner is just as bad as the physical. Cross train.

~Gimp (who spent an hour water running this morning because she didn't cross train)

Co signed (but half marathoner),

The other gimp who should have learned her lesson the first time.

[jene]

Cross training seems to be something that most runners (myself included) gloss over until you get injured. And then, it comes back to bite you. It gives your body a break from the stress of running, and lifting weights/circuit can help strengthen you and keep you running!

The one or two days a week you spend cross training is way better than 6 weeks of not running (that's what happened to me last year)

[archaeominx]

Jan 3, 2013 13:54:29 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

Jan 3, 2013 12:30:50 GMT -5 archaeominx said:

I will also make her clutch her pearls and do very little strength training myself, but I run halfs without too much trouble
Anyway, I do cardio for my cross-training, either spin classes or getting out on the road. Any gyms local to you that you could at least take a class at? That would probably be cheaper than joining for a full membership. How were you planning on doing circuit training? (Wasn't sure if you had equipment at home)

You may runs halfs "without too much trouble" but I can bet your buttons that if you cross trained you would be running faster.

I too ran half "without much trouble" but as soon as I stepped up to marathon distance, I got a swift smack in the face (twice now), for being arrogant enough to think my body could (or should) handle that distance without cross training. DO your body a favor, cross train.

Try to find a program that works the muscles that running doesn't, or works the muscles that supports your running muscles, the best do both.

Circut training def counts. Prevent injury, the mental damage injury does to a runner is just as bad as the physical. Cross train.

~Gimp (who spent an hour water running this morning because she didn't cross train)

I never said I didn't cross train, it's WEIGHT training that I haven't been doing. I cross train by spinning a few times a week. Other than crunches and some light arm work with resistance bands, I haven't been doing weights. I'd like to move into using the machines at the gym but I want to get a trainer to show me the correct way and not half-ass it on my own.