Posts Tagged ‘stationary bike’

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.

My Cross (Training) to Bear

For once, I’ve done everything correctly in my rehab. I took three weeks off from running. The pain is gone in my right leg and I can do every physical activity comfortably – except run. My ankle is still stiff during a run and sore afterwards.

Age is definitely a factor… OK, I’m 50, which is not exactly dead, but yesterday I pulled a muscle in my right arm putting my pants on. It’s enough to make you give up pants. There aren’t too many other explanations for why it should take four to six weeks for tendinitis to dissipate, except my rubber bands are stretched pretty thin.

So, from being a runner with a little cross-training thrown in, I’ve become a cross-trainer with a little bit of running thrown in. Instead of reducing my splits, I’m increasing the distance and intensity on non-weight-bearing cardio-apparatuses (apparati? apparatusimus? appareo decet nihil munditia?).

Here’s how it’s gone:

April 16 – 20 minutes at level 3 on the elliptical (starting slow to avoid destroying my calves again).

April 17 – 30 minutes at level 3 on the stationary bike, 7.5 miles.

April 18 – 1.75 mile run at an 8:58 pace.

April 19 – 4 mile walk.

April 20 – 30 minutes at level 4 on the bike, 8.1 miles.

April 22 – 1.75 mile run at an 8:27 pace.

Today – 30 minutes at level 4 on the elliptical, 6.6 miles.

My running pace suggests the cross-training is keeping me fit (even if endurance is already out the window), but more importantly it has cured my unscheduled taper madness. I got my heart rate up to 175 on the elliptical, so I’m pretty sure my body is getting the message.

But it’s funny. I started running to get into shape, but now being in shape is not enough. I get pangs when I see people running down my street. I stare longingly at race brochures.

I always thought getting all deep about running was an affectation. Now I’m not so sure. Now I want to run because I need to run.