Athletes in lots of different sports activities use working for health, however turning into an incredible runner requires a number of one factor: working. Some argue that coaching just for long-distance working 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 working, Corridor turned a weightlifter, which not solely resulted in putting adjustments to his physique, but additionally launched him to a totally totally different facet of athleticism.
Ought to distance runners be hybrid athletes?
So ought to long-distance runners attempt to develop into hybrid athletes? The reply depends upon your objectives and preferences. In case your major 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 need to danger injuring your self in a method that might forestall you from working. It’s vital to level out that Corridor didn’t severely get into weightlifting till after he had retired from aggressive working. He continued to run, however not in the identical method, or with the identical focus, as earlier than. Had he tried to excel at weightlifting when he was nonetheless working professionally, he possible wouldn’t have had the identical success–at both sport.
Why? As a result of working, notably long-distance working, requires a particular set of physiological variations, comparable to frequently striving to enhance cardio endurance and working effectivity. Specializing in constructing massive muscle tissues would divert the physique’s sources away from these running-specific variations, doubtlessly hindering efficiency enhancements in working.
This is a crucial consideration in case you’re making an attempt to compete on the world stage like Corridor was. However in case you’re a leisure runner who’s interested by different sports activities, collaborating in actions that drive your physique to maneuver in several methods (comparable to basketball, tennis or golf) actually has the potential to enhance your athleticism and well being, whereas doubtlessly additionally lowering your danger for overuse accidents.
Discovering the fitting steadiness
No matter how aggressive you’re, in case your foremost aim is to get quicker or enhance your endurance, working ought to nonetheless be your major focus. Discovering the fitting steadiness between working and different actions will be tough, however it’s doable 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 working and extra time doing different issues.
For instance, throughout marathon coaching, your foremost focus needs to be working, and all different actions ought to solely be completed in a method 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 a bit of extra, or check out some totally different sports activities to offer your physique a totally different stimulus. This can each scale back your danger for power overuse accidents and forestall burnout.
The underside line
Turning into a hybrid athlete presents long-distance runners a chance to broaden their horizons, enhance general athleticism, and doubtlessly improve efficiency, nevertheless it’s vital to take care of the suitable steadiness. Whether or not you embrace the hybrid athlete idea finally rests on private aspirations and particular person circumstances. The aim shouldn’t solely be about excelling in a number of disciplines, however fairly adopting a holistic strategy that advantages each your bodily health and long-term well being.
