Posts Tagged ‘no boundaries’

Why Did the Chicken Cross-Train?

And so begins my 39th comeback.

Thursday I completed a slow jog of my favorite 1.75 mile loop. I ran gingerly but comfortably. I spent the rest of the day anxiously waiting for the pain to begin, but I felt fine. And all day Friday, too.

It being 103 degrees yesterday, I moseyed over to the fitness center and did an easy circuit with minimum weight – biceps, triceps, row, lats and shoulders. I didn’t want to risk anything that might strain my back. Then 20 minutes of low speed on the recumbent stationary bike. One more set of weights and done. Wow. Turns out cross-training doesn’t have to be excruciating after all.

This morning I got up early for another 1.75 mile loop. I managed a 9:30 pace but I am badly out of running shape. In order to avoid overtraining and reinjury, I’m going to sign up for one of those Couch-to-5k training programs – the No Boundaries program sponsored by Fleet Feet and New Balance. Following the training plan we’ll keep me from building up mileage too fast, and running with newbies will keep me from trying to speed up too much. Cross-training is built into the schedule so it should be perfect.

“Staying injury-free” isn’t a sexy goal, but it’s one I’ve overlooked too many times. Better to be a 5k guy who runs than a marathoner who can’t.