on running afowl

I ran yesterday and this morning. Between those two runs I played in a softball double-header. Not the best idea I’ve ever had (my team might have agreed!) I could feel yesterday’s run each time I ran between the dugout and the outfield or vice versa, and this morning my legs were complaining about the lack rest I had given them, above and beyond the usual abuse they receive. Clearly not a good example of cross-training, especially since playing in only two games isn’t really going to do anything for my arms (only got up to bat a few times and really only threw the ball around a little warming up) or any other muscles I don’t already work while running.

I used to do a little cross-training: I was doing crunches and push-ups on off days, and for a while even swimming a mile or two. I played some touch football with friends and colleagues, and some softball in a local league. As I increased my mileage, though, true off days became more and more important. That, and the hassle of driving to the gym, led me to stop swimming. Boredom led me to give up crunches and push-ups. I held on to softball and football the longest, but running led me to give up first softball and, more recently, football. I enjoyed them, but not as much as I enjoy running, and I could tell my performance in all three was suffering.

With the approach of winter, however, I’m once again thinking about cross-training. Maybe I’ll put in fewer miles as it gets colder and in place of the lost mileage return to the pool. Or something else. Of course, there’s every chance I’ll simply end up on treadmills and indoor tracks. We’ll see.