RUNNING AND CROSS-TRAINING

First of all, we’ve to clear up that we’re not talking about CrossFit (this fashion functional training method to develop strength). We refer to combine other sports more than running to take advantage of the benefits they can bring us.

This is also a way to complement our training, not the best way to improve or to overtake our scores.

Cross-training is commonly used to maintain the motivation, avoiding the monotony and the boredom.

Also, it is remarkably good to increase power and strength in muscles which are not currently involved on running conventional training. This helps you to prevent injuries too and to avoid overtraining.

The most recognised ways to combine running training are:

-Swimming, which helps us to develop the aerobic capacity, and to get stronger our upper body.

-Cyclism is a great way to empower our leg muscles, especially the quadriceps. It’s good too for reducing the impact taken by our knee and ankle joints.

-Elliptical machine: this is a good way to train when we’ve our feet or ankles barely damaged. It can also pull you through a rainy day.

-Aquarunning, this has raise in popularity the latest years, above all to rehabilitate after an injurie.

I hope you find here some alternative ways to do exercise at the same time you are working to be a better runner!