The cardiovascular benefits, the endorphin rush, the sense of freedom, the competitive opportunities ...
devoted runners love the feeling they get from hitting the pavement or trail and letting their own two feet carry them away. But is it possible to run too much? Maybe. Changing your regular running routine every now and then doesn’t just offer variety, it can be good for your body, mind and soul — and a number of other ways as well.
Running is a high-impact activity that puts more stress on your body — especially your hips, knees and ankles — than more gentle forms of exercise. That stress can negatively impact your performance over time. Making sure you use good form and proper technique when running can help, but so can giving your joints an occasional break by switching up your usual run for swimming, yoga or an elliptical training session instead.
Bonus, lower-impact activities give minor muscle injuries a chance to heal before they progress into something more serious. Let’s face it. Doing the same workout every day can get boring.
Plus, you may hit a plateau after a while and stop seeing results. Don’t be discouraged. Instead, view this as a chance to hit the pause button on running and seek out new physical challenges to pursue instead.
This may be the perfect time to try out something you’ve had your eye on for a while. Maybe you’ve always wanted to take golf lessons, try Pilates or join a local volleyball league. Pickleball, perhaps? The sky’s the limit, and who knows? You might just discover something you love even more than running.
In addition to keeping things interesting, cross-training through a diverse mix of activities provides a fuller overall physical experience by working out different muscle groups beyond just the ones running involves. Even professional runners build in a rest period following a major race or at the end of the season. If running ever starts to feel like a chore or an obligation, it’s probably time to hang up the sneakers for a bit and reset your attitude.
A little time away could be just the ticket to renew your enthusiasm for the sport by giving yourself the chance to miss it. How long to pause totally depends on your own health and individual circumstances. During your down time, you may decide to focus on different physical goals.
Or if you’re really hitting a wall, just stop completely for a while. When the time comes to ease back in, don’t try to pick right back up where you left off. Start slow, pace yourself and before you know it, you’ll be back up to speed as the muscle memory kicks in.
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