Whether one looks at training for an ultra marathon or any high endurance event, there is lots of talk about preventative measures including correct nutrition, correct alignment and biomechanics, and other new techniques to avoid last minute injuries.
Even with the most stringent of techniques being implemented and a wide variety of protocols utilized, injuries are often rife. This begs the question that one should look at the training regime irrespective of it being preparing for a marathon, triathlon, cricket or soccer match, or any other high endurance event.
Recently at Synergy Holistix, we have tampered with the idea of suggesting a multitude of cross-training, whereby the specific athlete varies their training regime, mixing both the high intensity of the required sport i.e. running on the road for that particular marathon blended with swimming, cycling and other non-impacting cardio events. By combining these techniques, the athlete can still recover accordingly, whilst not losing their fitness, or more importantly the required muscle memory. Running in a pool (known as aqua jogging) has become quite popular and despite the torturous boredom, muscle memory is not lost. Athletes who pick up muscle strains and soft tissue injuries don’t need to stop exercising totally. By continuing their routine with modification, they can still have time to compete and rest themselves for their event. We are in fact finding that runners who are forced through injury to change their training regime are in fact accomplishing personal best times in marathons and races alike. Gone are the days that a Comrades runner has to do 100 km weeks before the event. With blending in different activities, like yoga, core strength, and other high intensity events, records are being attained. One is advised to discuss this with their sports specialist or training team and avoid that nasty unwanted tendinitis! Enjoy and Good Luck!
