Pool running as 6th weekly run - thoughts?
I'm looking at how and where I can add a sixth run to my weekly load. This year is about being creative.
Anyone with thoughts on deep water running for this session instead of a regular road run? Pros are it keeps the pounding off my legs, has reported crossover benefits, and is easy time management (I'd ballpark the session as 30', 40' tops.) Cons are it is a mind-numbing, mental pain that makes regular swimming seem like going to Circus Circus.
Other dimensions I should think about?
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I'm thinking about adding in some extra running because my legs seem to be dead from run to run since I dialed down my frequency when I added back in biking after coming back from injury a month ago. Was planning on going with some easy Z1 or Z2 interval type work so as to not totally compromise the rest of my plan. I think my body responds well to running more frequently than the couple days we go without in the plans.
DT, I think I'd rather shoot myself.
Personally, I've had some good success with doing a short run before some of my longer rides. Like, a 30-35' run before my Saturday and/or Sunday ride. I just have to wake up a little earlier, that's all. I'm running when it's nice and cool, no traffic, etc. And it's generally a non-issue with the bike afterwards, doesn't really affect it all. More importantly, I'm D U N with all my training stuff that day by about 12p, even if I have a 4.5-5hr ride scheduled. We have wide temperature swings here (will be low 60's and dry early AM, high 90's by 5pm) so this is as much about managing temperatures as anything else.
I would actually swim before I would pool run.
I would highly recommend pool running as a 6th workout. For me, it is change. I use AQX shoes in the pool. They are designed with wings on the side for added resistance and if you do not wear shoes then the bottom of your feet can get raw. For me there are 2 types of pool running. One is deep water where you are up to your neck (or top of the chest) in water and it a neuro-muscular workout. You can have quick cadence and no have the pounding on your body but firing the neural patterns. Great for recovery to "go through the motions" and get out some of the soreness. The other is shallow water where the water is near the top of your legs or waist. This is similar to running through the surf and develops lots of strength in the hip flexors. I run in a pool at a gym that half of the pool is shallow and I can get a strength workout. The other half is deep and I work on my turnover. Is it mentally hard? Yes but so was swimming, biking and running at one time.