Two-a-Days
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| Hi all! I know everyone is super busy, but for the super intense (or crazy) among us, has anyone had any success with scheduling two workouts a day for training purposes, like marathons or triathlons? I have a half-marathon coming up and I know I need to schedule more running workouts than just a weekend long run, but I don't want to "give up" my nightly dance class. Any tips on how to do two-a-days or just set yourself up for training success? |
Anonymous
|
When training for a running race I do NOT do 2 a days. Mainly because I'm prone to injury with excessive running (meaning clocking more than 25mi/week).
If I'm simply trying to lose weight rapidly with exercise because I don't want to give up gluttonous eating, I will often run in the morning (as short 3 mi) and then lift in the afternoon. |
Anonymous
| You take a dance class 5 nights in a row? |
Anonymous
|
What training program are you following? My half marathon training program has four days of running, including the long run, and two days of cross training. Could you take the dance class on your cross training days?
You can adjust the training schedule so that the cross training days align to your dance class day(s). |
Anonymous
|
Get a lot of sleep. I routinely did doubles for years as a competitive rower (in college and after). Your body needs a lot of rest if you're going to work it that hard.
And honestly, I wouldn't do doubles at my age (37), other than sometimes a run plus hot yoga. I just don't have the time to recuperate, never mind the workouts themselves. Can you scale back the nightly dance classes for a few weeks, until the half-marathon is over? |
Anonymous
|
If your body is used to dance, I probably would not count it as a workout.
I say thay because I waited tables and wore a mileage tracker and walked approx 10 miles a shift and still worked out. 10 12 miles, including heavy lifting was nothing. |
Anonymous
OP here - that's exactly what I'm thinking. Dance used to be more of an effort for me physically, but I just don't get the same benefit because I'm used to the movements now - I still want to keep doing it though because I like my friends in the class and it's enjoyable. I think I'll do what someone else recommended and try substituting it for the usual swimming or biking for cross-training purposes. Thanks all! |
Anonymous
|
Just be careful, OP.
I was doing a few 2/day workouts a week and I know have a very serious injury that is sidelining me for the next few months. Make sure you are taking vitamin supplements and if you feel any pain at all, or muscle fatigue, just stop and rest. Good luck with the training! |
Anonymous
| *now* have a serious injury |
TheNewGirl
Member Offline
Member Offline
| I do not count dance classes (Zumba & barre) as my workout for training purposes. I only count my runs & strength training. Make sure you're eating and sleeping enough. |
Anonymous
|
The only time I've run twice in a day was when I was training for RAGNAR races, where you are actually called on to run 3 times in a 30-hour (or so) period. So I created runs that resembled the runs I'd be doing, and did them about as far apart as I'd be running.
I wouldn't do this to train for a race, though. Now I *would* do a dance class and a run on the same day - one in the morning, one at night. I do two-a-days of this sort twice a week (one run or workout, one yoga class) and when my daughter goes out of town, I do that pretty much every day she's gone. I would not do it every day, though. Maybe every other day, and take it easier on the off days from running, or you're risking an overtraining injury. |
Anonymous
|
To those who say they'd never run twice a day --- doubles are are a traditional way to add mileage without getting injured. A 4 miler in the morning and a 5 in the afternoon is easier on your body than 9 miles in one run.
OP - Google Summer of Malmo for suggestions on incorporating doubles into your training. I like 7 or more mile runs, but if I were going to do doubles, I would do the AM run very slowly. |
Anonymous
|
Two workouts a day are fairly common for triathletes. Not every day however.
Hopefully you are not running 7 days a week? Why not run 4-5 days and do your dance class on the alternate days? Cross training will make you a better runner. |
Anonymous
|
I am an experienced marathoner and triathlete and did two workouts four days per week for years. The first thing I will say is that I don't recommend running twice per day, and I generally won't even run two dys in a row.
When training for a half marathon, there is really no need to do two workouts per day. Now, if it is just a matter of wanting to do your run workouts on the same day as dance class, that could work. It depends on how strenuous your dance class is. Personally, I would do a long run on the weekend, then two maintenance runs during the week. You should have one day per week that is total rest - no running or dance. If you want to do a second workout on your non-running days I would recommend weight lifting or cross training (swim or elliptical). |
Anonymous
Statements like this kind of rub me the wrong way. I get that there is not a reason for you to run doubles, and there may not be a reason for OP to do doubles in addition to dance classes, but you have no idea about his/her goals, training volume, current fitness, etc. Until you know those things, you have no basis whatsoever to recommend weekly mileage. Also, the advice to not even run two days in a row is just silly. If you want to race fast, you need more miles. I have no idea how fast OP runs or what his/her goal for the HM is, but the advice to run one long run and two "maintenance" runs is just silly. Most people who run HMs run at least 4 days per week, and you can be sure that pretty much everyone running HMs faster than 90 minutes or so will be running > 40 miles per week, which works best for many people when they include doubles in the mix. |