Cross training for running

[Anonymous]

I am having a hard time getting I. Y cross training for running. I ru 3-4 times a week,and fit in a Body Pump class for weight lifting, but between working FT,my kids' activities, my H and life in general I have a hard time doing "more." Does 4 hours of yard work count? 2 hours of playing in the pool? What tips do you guys have?

[Anonymous]

Sorry about typos,yikes.

[Anonymous]

Schedule 15 minutes at home to do some body-weight exercises? Maybe bike to/from work a couple times a week?

I don't know either. I barely have enough time to fit in the runs I want. I try to do body-weight exercises before I run each time (pushups, squats, etc), but I often skip them.

[Anonymous]

Insanity Fast and Furious. Intervals and plyometrics for a quick full body workout. I use it to cross train and for strength. The entire video is just 20 minutes including a stretch after warm-up and a cool down. I find myself motivated to do it because it's short but hard and each time, while I can do a little bit more, I don't think I will ever be able to get through the whole video properly. But don't discount the yard work and pool, unless it's light gardening and floating on a raft.

[Anonymous]

I work out every day, but I also count everything physical I do as exercise. We take lots of walks to the park. I might climb around on the jungle gym with my daughter and maybe do some pull-ups and chin-ups on a hanging bar. I think playing with the kids in the pool, especially if you're running around and swimming and lifting them, totally counts. Worst case, find little pockets of time and do planks, sit-ups, etc. whenever you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schedule 15 minutes at home to do some body-weight exercises? Maybe bike to/from work a couple times a week?

I don't know either. I barely have enough time to fit in the runs I want. I try to do body-weight exercises before I run each time (pushups, squats, etc), but I often skip them.

Yoga. You need the stretching after running.

[Anonymous]

I lift heavy 3xs a week, for an hour. I also do 15min of abs a night. I used to run about 30miles a week with hardly any cross training. My longer runs would be a struggle. Now I only run 2xs a week approx. 6 miles each run and WOW, it is so easy to run now! I'm shocked at what a difference being strong makes. I can now get up pretty big hills without hardly thinking about it.

I do a pretty comprehensive anaerobic weight work out-that consists of probably 25 different exercises over the 3 days. I focus a lot on my hamstrings and butt....for vanity and my running fitness.