Water Running My Way To IM Canada
Due to a left tibia stress fracture at the end of April, I have not been able to run for the past 5 weeks. Ironman Canada is in 11 weeks. So it is time to either find another method of maintaining run fitness or to plan on cancelling my A race for the year. With that in mind I have decided to start a water running program to replace all the scheduled runs of the EN Ironman Training Program. Today was my first foray in the world of water running. It wasn't as bad as I had expected. I was already in the pool for the normal monday swim, so it was logistically easy. I had watched a few videos on the proper technique, so I had some clue as to what to do. it takes about 1 minute to run 25 yards so in my 30 minutes this morning I got in about 750 yards. I am not sure the equivalent of land running but in 30 minutes on land I would cover about 4 miles. The plan going forward is to water run all the scheduled runs in the plan until the leg is pain free for a full week. Hopefully I will get several weeks of land running prior to Canada, but if not I am ready to take what the day gives me. As they say...Suck it up buttercup!
Comments
Sounds like a good plan! Get some podcasts or some rockin' tunes on a waterproof MP3 and you should be set for those long runs...
Steve, a familiar story. On my way to IMC 2004 I encountered severe achilles tendonitis and did not start running( on land) until mid-june. I did get into the pool 2-3 times a week and added an extra high-cadence bike session per week. Once I got outside to run I eventually built to one 2 hr easy run before taper. Although I had considered not doing the event, I did not want to walk 1/2 or more, my 5:09 run split classified it as a fantastic day. Bottom line, the water running will help.
I am really interested in this. Sometimes I worry about my knees when run volume goes up and this seems like and interesting way to do a 4th run per week. Keep me posted. Any tips, trick or resources would be really interested.
Not sure what you mean by running yards. You should be using a flotation belt and not touching the bottom. And pool running for time.
In my run down to CDA, will be doing at least another week of pool running as my shin splints improve slowly.
Steve,
Sorry to hear about your leg!
@Dino- I will keep you posted through this forum and let you how I am doing. After IM Canada I will consolidate my thoughts and see if it was actually a benefit. From what I have read it will have some unexpected rewards.
@Robin- I ran about 30 lengths of the pool (750 yards) and yes I was wearing a waist belt. I only touch the bottom for about 5 yards at one end other than that I am floating.
Got it. Yep, all sorts of considerations regarding goals for the race, expenses incurred to not have the race you hoped to have...I've been there!
Steve. Will do. Thanks.
Best of luck.
Encouraging news!
That's great news! I hope your first run back on land goes well. I did the 90 minute water run yesterday and agree - boooooring!
Great news! Following your progress closely and wishing you the best!
@Jenn- I give you the latest update on Sunday.
That's a long pool run. Great job. Can you wear a MP3 player and listen to music at least?
Did the 90 minute and the 2.5 hour one in the pool recently. Using the h20go gizmo for music. Good gizmo for this but not good for swimming as the ear buds do not stay in the ear swimming.
Like the various benefits of the pool running. Increased flexibility. General healing. Bit of an upper body workout. Peeing in the pool. Etc.
@Steve, what's 6 weeks when you're going to Boston! That's such a cool accompishment.
@Robin, it sounds like your MP3 player and mine are reversed. I have the SwiMP3, which is awesome for lap swimming but doesn't work for pool running.
So far I'm really happy with the results of pool running - my injured leg feels so much better, it's amazing. But I am not running at all, not even a teeny little bit on land. So I guess I won't find out if it really worked until I hit the marathon at CdA.