Athletes in lots of different sports activities use operating for health, however changing into an ideal 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, must you 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 turned a weightlifter, which not solely resulted in hanging adjustments to his physique, but additionally launched him to a very completely different side of athleticism.
Ought to distance runners be hybrid athletes?
So ought to long-distance runners try to develop into hybrid athletes? The reply is dependent upon your objectives and preferences. In case your main aim is to attain a sub-elite private finest within the marathon, you gained’t possible have a lot time for different sports activities–and also you wouldn’t wish to threat injuring your self in a manner that may stop you from operating. It’s vital to level out that Corridor didn’t significantly 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 possible 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, equivalent to regularly striving to enhance cardio endurance and operating effectivity. Specializing in constructing massive muscle tissues would divert the physique’s assets 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, collaborating in actions that pressure your physique to maneuver in numerous methods (equivalent to basketball, tennis or golf) actually has the potential to enhance your athleticism and well being, whereas doubtlessly additionally lowering your threat for overuse accidents.
Discovering the correct stability
No matter how aggressive you’re, in case your important aim is to get sooner or enhance your endurance, operating ought to nonetheless be your main focus. Discovering the correct stability between operating and different actions could be tough, however it’s potential with some planning. One approach to get the perfect 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 important focus must be operating, and all different actions ought to solely be executed 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 completely different sports activities to provide your physique a completely different stimulus. It will each scale back your threat for continual overuse accidents and forestall burnout.
The underside line
Turning into a hybrid athlete affords long-distance runners a chance to broaden their horizons, enhance general athleticism, and doubtlessly improve efficiency, nevertheless it’s vital to keep up the suitable stability. 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 quite adopting a holistic method that advantages each your bodily health and long-term well being.
