"Invest in rest."
"Incorporate cross-training into your plan."
I've read this advice again and again. And, again and again, I've tried to take it, with varying degrees of success. For me, the cross-training and rest thing came together when I was pregnant. I needed to rest and I needed to give my body a break with cross-training in a different way than I did when I wasn't pregnant. So I appreciated rest and cross-training for the benefits that they provide.
After I gave birth in October and starting running again, I knew that rest days would be more important than ever. I wasn't getting much sleep (sick of hearing that yet?), was trying to adjust to life with an infant, breastfeeding, and fitting in half-marathon training with work deadlines, laundry, preschooler activities and the rest of life.
Since then, I've tried to keep up on rest days and make sure to cross-train. So far, so good. I've been cross-training at least once a week -- definitely more if you count playtime with the preschooler! Most of what I do is workout to some exercise tv on demand programs, because they are convenient -- I can do them in the comfort of my home, whenever I want to. Lately I've been enjoying Jillian Michaels' Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism (DVD available on Amazon HERE
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
On cross-training.
Anyway, I've been doing some cross-training at least once a week and I think it is helping me with my running. My arms and core are stronger and that should mean they'll help me to maintain my form late in the half-marathon when I'm starting to tire. At least that's the plan!
Do you like Exercise tv on demand? What's your favorite way to cross-train?
Share away -- it's great to hear about new things!
Cross-training was for yesterday. Easy run tonight -- might even get a friend or two to run my hilly route with me! Yay!
Have a good day, everyone.
~ Felice
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10 comments:
i've always been a huge fan of cross training and actually didn't like it when my mileage would be so high it was hard to fit it in. now w/ the tris, i'm only running 3 days a week but my runs are so much better. i really think it's the cross training. and not only does it help your running, but it uses muscles that are otherwise neglected!
I don't do TV.
For cross-training I do three things: yoga (at home or a class at our non-profit-free yoga center), I ride the bike, and I also do some at home workout: a mix of lunges, pushups, pullups, etc.
It's hard to find the time and or motivation for it at times but I know it's good and helps me stay free of injuries.
I have NEVER been a cross-trainer. I just always wanted to spend all the time & energy I had RUNNING.
Even now, I've started cycling and swimming - but that's with a tri in mind, so I don't suppose I can call that "cross-training" anymore. It's just training!
i just can't get into tv workouts...
I am doing better at adding cross training. I'm doing Insanity right now. Rest days are active for me as in I run every day (day# 451 today I believe) but I do try to have 1 or 2 days with shorter miles and easier paces. Might not always be that way but I believe in daily purposeful exercise for life. I'm going to be that 80 yr old crazy lady still finishing ultras!
I'm pretty good about getting in cross training and I actually tried exercise TV on demand for the 1st time this Monday! I was SHOCKED at the amt of content that was on there...it was actually overwhelming.
I really went outside of the box (for me) and tried belly dancing and hip hop dance. I was HORRIBLY bad at the belly dancing and slightly less horrible at the hip hop but I really look forward to checking out other programs. It was an optional rest/cross day in my training so I didn't want to tackle a Jillian workout this particular evening!
i use exercise tv on demand, too, and have used a few yoga download.com workouts, too.
I do yoga regularly, and swim and bike when tri training ... but I haven't been doing much strength training lately. While I've had the 30-Day Shred forever, I did it for the first time in a long time yesterday. Um, ouch!
Yeah, that's a good workout ...
I work out two days a week with a small group of women and a trainer. For half of the hour we do a mix of cardio--lots of functional stuff and very few machines. For the other half, we hit the weights--hard. We do lots of core work, both in cardio and weights, and I notice a HUGE difference in my running. I just feel strong, and that's a good feeling, especially after 12 miles in this heat!
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