This week’s Tuesdays on the Run topic is Winter Crosstraining. There I said it: Winter. Yeah winter’s coming. Soon. We wanna know if you run/train right through winter? Give yourself a little break? Change up your workouts? Tell us!
Personally I’m all about shifting the gears. Keeping the ole bod guessing. Face it marathon training wears on me and right about this time each fall? I’m ready for something different. Something where running is NOT my focus. NOT the star. NOT what I think about almost every waking hour. A few years back, I coined a term for it:
RUNBATTICAL: A temporary break from or reduction in one’s running habit.
This can be a complete halt in all running, a minor reduction in mileage or something in between, the exact interpretation is up to you. For me, just going to that place mentally where I no longer put any pressure on myself to run a certain frequency, distance or pace helps me feel fresher and more rested. During my runbattical, my Garmin typically stays home in the drawer.
Here’s how my winter runbattical will go:
1 week post marathon: Maybe no running at all. Maybe…
Remainder of November: Reverse taper for Panama City Beach Half Marathon on 12/3.
Then the real runbattical sets in:
I’ll focus on strength training. Because I love it.
I’ll see if I can hit up a yoga class or 3
Maybe a weekly spin class.
In a perfect world I might even swim….and think about some tris for next spring.
All this will take place while I formulate my running schedule for next year. So far I’ve got only one race planned for 2017, but its kind of a big one:
It’s time I make some progress toward my Marathon Majors goal.
Your turn: Will your training change this winter?
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Ooh, Germany! So jealous!
I’m on “runbattical” now as well. I likely will run this week though as I feel better when I’m running, but as soon as all the important things heal, I’ll be hitting the gym again.
I’m glad that this winter I will have a bike. Last year I cut back on running but got kind of antsy when I didn’t do any cardio. It’s nice to focus on other things like strength training when you have a break from marathon training!
I usually try to focus more on strength training during the winter too. This year, I’m going to try to run more through the winter than I have in the past, but I’ll still be running significantly less than I am at the moment.
Usually by now I’m starting my off season . . . I’ll have a really short one after PBC but then I’ll be back at it! Thankfully halfs don’t chew you up as much as a full!
And I try to crosstrain year round . . . the operative word being try.
I’ve been on a runbattical since Big Sur. Completely unintentional, but my PF demanded it. Sometimes the feet know…. I’ve been getting ready for PCB but after that, I roll down to maintenance for a few months.
I’m reading for a break as well. we’ll see how long said break lasts. ?
I’m looking forward to snowshoeing, training for a half (to keep me moving) and lots of swimming this winter….but first a full two week break after the Key West tri in December.
I can’t even think about winter training just yet since I’m still marathon training! I do know that I want to keep up yoga and barre classes over the winter and build strength while hopefully still running a few days a week.
Glad you are still running PCB. I don’t run full marathons so I don’t ever take time off.
I take a break after each race. I’ve run through winters before, and it wasn’t too bad. I just need a break, and that comes after each race. I always feel that’s a good time to hit reset and free up my schedule.
Winter is when I actually get in ALL my big mile months. My job as a backpacking guide has me working long weeks spring through fall, so November to March is my time to run ALL THE RACES!
OOOOOO Berlin, that is so exciting! Congrats! I am just getting back to running, so hoping I can continue even just a few short runs each week on my treadmill. I also LOVE strength training so will continue with that as well!
I’m running Boston in April and another marathon 13 days later which means serious training starts mid-December for me. I always train hard through the winter and back off a bit in the heat of the summer.
I’m so looking forward to Winter running in my area. I’m so ready for a cool down! The Berlin Marathon is an awesome goal! Are you running it Marcia?
I want to take a runbattical! But I think mine was in the summer. I have races in January and February, so it’s running in the winter for me, but I do want to do more cross-training!
Winter is prime time racing season here in Dixie. I’m gearing up, not down. Summer is the time to enjoy the ol’ runbattical. How cool to be running in Berlin!
As soon as my race is done, I am going to cut back and focus on more cross training. Two days a week running will be enough for me. Nothing on my 2017 Schedule yet.
So excited for you & Berlin !
So jealous you are doing Berlin. You deserve to take a small break a bit before your training starts for your big race.
After Vega I’ll definitely be going into “run when/if I feel like it” mode. But, it may not last too long as I’ve already got my eye on a February half. Love that you’re going after Berlin next year!!
Winter running is usually the best time of year for me because of school and our weather is so mild. If I get a runbattical, it’s not by choice.. it’s usually because something is forcing me to stop. I love the idea of a chosen rest break. That might have to wait until my kids are older though!
Winter here is our best time to train so I have a half in Dec, a half in Jan, and full in Feb, and a half in April.
Then I will rest April and May and dive back into training for Chicago.
I like the idea of cross training and genuinely do more in the winter, but not nearly enough. As for taking a break? I’m afraid I may never come back!
I saw you included spin on your list. I hadn’t really considered it since it looks like all leg work, but I’m guessing you also do a ton of core work, no?
Adding that level of crosstraining variety will definitely pay off in the spring at Berlin. Lots of different muscle groups will be sore now, but your body will thank you later!
Berlin will be phenomenal!
Winter is a great time for running here – summer is more when runbatticals take place. It’s too hot to want to do anything in the summer months.
I should do more cross training…. but I really just want to run. I’ll run for you 😀
Swimming is a great idea! I’ve been meaning to take some refresher classes. I know my form needs work. That’s a great idea for post-marathon winter workouts!
I guess my version of this is a pseudo-cyclebattical. Haha. I don’t even look at a power meter from the end of August until January and my cycling tends to be off-road with a focus on fun. And I definitely work in more strength and more rest days in general. Good physically and mentally. Exciting for you about Berlin!!!! I’ve always heard that is a very fast course.