Athletes in lots of different sports activities use operating for health, however changing into an amazing runner requires loads of one factor: operating. Some argue that coaching just for long-distance operating creates a one-dimensional athlete, which raises the query: can runners profit from being a “hybrid athlete”? In different phrases, do you have to be mixing up your coaching with different sports activities and actions?
What’s a hybrid athlete?
A hybrid athlete is somebody who excels at a number of sports activities or actions. One often-cited instance of that is former U.S. Olympic marathon runner Ryan Corridor. After retiring from skilled operating, Corridor grew to become a weightlifter, which not solely resulted in placing modifications to his physique, but in addition launched him to a totally totally different side of athleticism.
Ought to distance runners be hybrid athletes?
So ought to long-distance runners try to change into hybrid athletes? The reply depends upon your objectives and preferences. In case your main aim is to attain a sub-elite private finest within the marathon, you gained’t doubtless have a lot time for different sports activities–and also you wouldn’t wish to threat injuring your self in a manner that will forestall you from operating. It’s necessary to level out that Corridor didn’t critically get into weightlifting till after he had retired from aggressive operating. He continued to run, however not in the identical manner, or with the identical focus, as earlier than. Had he tried to excel at weightlifting when he was nonetheless operating professionally, he doubtless wouldn’t have had the identical success–at both sport.
Why? As a result of operating, significantly long-distance operating, requires a selected set of physiological variations, comparable to regularly striving to enhance cardio endurance and operating effectivity. Specializing in constructing huge muscle tissue would divert the physique’s sources away from these running-specific variations, doubtlessly hindering efficiency enhancements in operating.
This is a vital consideration when you’re attempting to compete on the world stage like Corridor was. However when you’re a leisure runner who’s interested in different sports activities, taking part in actions that drive your physique to maneuver in several methods (comparable to basketball, tennis or golf) definitely has the potential to enhance your athleticism and well being, whereas doubtlessly additionally lowering your threat for overuse accidents.
Discovering the fitting steadiness
No matter how aggressive you might be, in case your major aim is to get quicker or enhance your endurance, operating ought to nonetheless be your main focus. Discovering the fitting steadiness between operating and different actions could be tough, however it’s potential with some planning. One method to get the most effective of each worlds is by selecting an “off season” whereby you spend much less time operating and extra time doing different issues.
For instance, throughout marathon coaching, your major focus ought to be operating, and all different actions ought to solely be completed in a manner that enhances your coaching. After the marathon, it’s a good suggestion to plan for a while off, the place you get within the weight room somewhat extra, or check out some totally different sports activities to offer your physique a totally different stimulus. This can each cut back your threat for power overuse accidents and stop burnout.
The underside line
Turning into a hybrid athlete presents long-distance runners a possibility to broaden their horizons, enhance total athleticism, and doubtlessly improve efficiency, but it surely’s necessary to keep up the suitable steadiness. Whether or not you embrace the hybrid athlete idea finally rests on private aspirations and particular person circumstances. The aim mustn’t solely be about excelling in a number of disciplines, however somewhat adopting a holistic strategy that advantages each your bodily health and long-term well being.
