Here it is, fall! Marathon season for a lot of endurance junkies is upon us. Sure, there are a few Ironman races left (Kona) and outlier triathlons, but for the majority of us in states that experience a change in season, fall means a transition from triathlons to running.
Some see it as a welcomed refocus, others see entering a marathon as a carrot to keep running through the fall and winter months. Whatever your reason, be careful of the injury bug. Marathon training and loading up on running miles will amplify any deficiencies your running form has and will lead to a faster deterioration of biomechanics and lead to “taking time off to recover”.
If taking time off isn’t in your vocabulary, you might look at alternatives to keep fitness up while your body recovers in time to make that marathon. Often times, the pool is the ticket. If you have never had a run in the pool, from first-hand experience, it can be mind numbing. The scenery really doesn’t change and it’s just not the same sensation and suffering at road running.
If you are relegated to the deep end, consider these top 10 tips to keep on the straight line.
1. Bring something to listen to. Grab your H2O audio and bring the iPod. It’s going to be a long day and if your pool is anything like the normal gym warm therapy pool, kids and inappropriate adults will be aplenty. If H2O is a little high priced for you, consider a plastic baggie taped around your iPod and stuck in a swim cap. Don’t submerge it, but it will work in a pink if you keep your head above water.
