Uta’s Summary for Your Marathon Preparation. Part II: Cross-Training

I love biking in Colorado. © Betty Shepherd

Adding cross-training to your marathon preparation is a wonderful strategy to help you intensify your training process. It also can be useful in aiding recovery after a long marathon preparation as part of your base period. And it can give you various options for great workouts when you are prevented from following your scheduled plan because of difficult weather conditions or injury.

Many of you have a triathlon background and you know best how to incorporate biking and cycling into your training. Triathletes often enjoy racing the 26.2 miles a few months before competing in a triathlon to get full enjoyment out of both race preparations. In the following link, “Have you ever tried cross-training?,” you can find more detailed information on this valuable subject. You will see that I explore a few thoughts on deep-water running, swimming, cycling, and supportive training elements like core-strengthening.

For many runners, challenging weather conditions might be the reason to cross-train. Chances are that cold temperatures and heavy snow may force you to adjust your schedule. Or it can be too-hot summer weather, too.

Also, an injury might prevent you from working out as you wish. In this case, it is a good idea to talk to a sports physician and physical therapist about great alternatives to running. I experienced many trying times when I needed to stay on the stationary bike, or water running became one of the key options to keep working out while healing from injury.

I have listed a few articles below that you might want to add to your training library. Two of them discuss various aspects of treadmill training which is in conjunction with cross-training often a great alternative if Mother Nature makes it difficult for you to run outside.

Cross-Country Skiing: A Great Option for Winter Fun and Fitness

© Uta Pippig and Take The Magic Step®

I love cross-country skiing—what a great addition to running it is! And winter is such a special time to improve your fitness and build a foundation of strength and endurance.

I prepared for spring marathons with a few weeks of cross-country skiing. I treated it as part of the base period of my marathon preparations. It always worked: I came off the skies in great shape and with good leg strength and endurance.

I have added some of the beautiful locations I skied at and a few other fun cross-country favorites. Hint: Hot chocolate.

For more, please click here: Cross-Country Skiing: A Great Option for Winter Fun and Fitness

Enjoy Your Summertime Fitness: Part I—Favorite Workouts and Summer Goals

© Betty Shepherd

Now, we go from winter to summer. The warmest time of the year brings wonderful new fitness opportunities as well as seasonally-based challenges. So, cross-training can be the best option here, too.

There are simple, fun ways to adjust your workouts to help you achieve peak condition for autumn events while enjoying those longer hours of daylight. Summer gave me a great chance to add my other favorite sport: Swimming.

For more, please click here: Enjoy Your Summertime Fitness: Part I—Favorite Workouts and Summer Goals

Taming the Treadmill

© Betty Shepherd

Getting a treadmill involved in your training is a wonderful strategy. When Mother Nature is serving up blistering cold temps or boiling summer days that stop your scheduled run in its tracks, the steady hum and rhythmic impact of footsteps on the belt can be very satisfying.

Here are some ways to make your treadmill training as effective and fun as possible.

For more, please click here: Taming the Treadmill

The Treadmill: An Effective Retreat From Cold and Snowy Days

I added this article to this list because it can be used in conjunction with the piece right above. It discusses a few additional aspects of treadmill training you might find helpful for your marathon preparation.

Instead of having to miss a training session, “running on the belt” can save your workout and ultimately reward you with the same good feeling you have after a nice run outside.

For more, please click here: The Treadmill: An Effective Retreat From Cold and Snowy Days

Stay tuned for Part III: Nutrition. And here is a link to Part I: Training if you would like to check this information as well.

In fitness and in health!

Yours,

Reading Suggestions:

1. Uta’s Summary for Your Marathon Preparation. Part I: Training
2. Uta’s Summary for Your Marathon Preparation. Part III: Nutrition
3. Uta’s Summary for Your Marathon Preparation. Part IV: Health