I'm kind of monomaniacal when it comes to following a set routine, but your cyclical approach seems healthier.
I would like to do sprints too, but for the moment I working on 440, 880, and mile intervals, where it's impossible for me to go fast enough to shear something off. When I'm confident my legs can take it, I'll try 40-yard wind sprints or something, maybe this coming spring.
Here's the post:
Eventually, when I get my pace and distance up, I would like to switch to two longer runs per week, and then have the other day alternate between my intervals and tempo runs.
Yah, it's great to come across kindred spirits like and you, Sid, Nick, and others.
I half-understand everything I read, and then misapply it.
Oh, I don't know that cycling workouts is healthier. I just get into something, go for it, get bored or overdo it, then move onto something else. I'm really still getting a feel for all of this.
I think you're right. He specifically mentions presses and pull-downs, as well as logs and boats. Thanks for the great link!
I think it's healthier in the sense that the more variety you have, the less chance you have of over-training in any one component, or in risking repetitive stress injury. Probably the triathlon diet, with strength training for desert, would be the best overall fitness program, but I stink at swimming, and cycling in the city isn't much fun.
Yah, Willie got me to look at Maffetone's site several months ago, and I read that strength training article of his then. I think that's where I first heard that it may be bad to lift to failure.
It's what happens when you do enough long and slow running!
Triathletes are exceptional athletes, no doubt. I think the most well-balanced athletes are decathletes. They need to balance speed, strength, agility, body control, and endurance. There are a lot of endurance events and many now that require strength, such as CrossFit, but I can't think of any that really test the agility, skill, and body control required for hurdles, discus, high jump, and pole vault.
For me, swimming and cycling will be options to explore, if I can no longer run regularly. Although I live in the burbs, it's the most dangerous city for cyclists, and I'm not going to be a jerk that cycles on sidewalks, running over pedestrians and runners. (Different story if it's a kid going to school or a person who lacks other means of transportation.) Those who cycle for exercise usually have other options than the sidewalk.
Yah, you're right, but I was thinking of fitness just in terms of strength and endurance. When you throw in agility, balance, hand-eye coordination, etc., I think at that point I'd seek out pick-up games in basketball or soccer, or take up tennis, or get back into martial arts. I just can't see me throwing a discus or pole vaulting at this stage in my life . . .
I know we're just giving each other sh!t here, but you must realize few of us are capable of running your 80 mpw, and your low HR 7 mm paces, while impressive for us older recreational runners, still amount to jogs for the young, skinny elite cats. If you wanted to improve significantly, you'd have to do threshold work at some point, right?It's what happens when you do enough long and slow running!
If I could improve to your mediocrity, I would be very happy indeed; that'd be perfect!
I'm wa-king on it. Once I harmonize my left knee's yin with my right knee's yang, I'll kiss the Zen bliss and run as one with the universe.
Ah right, practical applications are helpful too! I've always been astounded by gymnasts, but that's not going to happen for me. I never got into team sports, plus I think at a certain age, one becomes more prone to injuries. I've heard too many war stories about racquetball, and my own family apparently has some inherent weakness brought out by volleyball. I continue to be impressed by the fitness of elderly practitioners of martial arts, so maybe that's the way to go. Though, right now I'll continue to enjoy dabbling here and there.
