Embryonic Cross Training Routine

Now that I've gotten my running legs back, somewhat, I need to add cross training to my weekly routine. In the past, this has been a weak spot for me, as it's much easier to classify a rest day as a day to sit on one's ass, rather than as a day to do some activity that's not running. I'm certain this has put a ceiling on my fitness in the past and this time around, I'd like to fix that.

But, I also know that going to gym and lifting some weights and riding the stationary bike won't cut it, either. For one thing, I don't know what the hell I'm doing when it comes to weight training. And I don't want to pay for a personal trainer. So, the strength training will be a relatively smaller proportion of the routine than it might be were I not aiming for endurance over building lots of muscle. Secondly, I like variety and get bored in the gym easily. Doing the same routine twice or three times per week for years at a time is not for me. Thirdly, I'm not flexible at all and so my cross training must integrate some activity that improves that deficiency to further help me avoid injury over the longer term.

So, I think I am going to try a series of activities on my non-running days and we'll see how it goes. First, spinning classes. I don't own a road bike and frankly, riding a bike in Baltimore is a terrifying prospect. Spinning classes are free at my gym and can burn serious calories while building endurance over time.

Next: basic strength training exercises like some light free weights, push ups, core work, etc.

Next: a consistent stretching routine for running and non-running days. Admittedly, I have no concrete idea as to what this will entail. But it sounds pretty great, right?

Finally: yoga. A. has gone to hot yoga classes off and on for a few years now and she likes it a lot. Our local studio offers community classes weekly for beginners at $6 a pop, so that sounds like a good place to start. Once a week is perfectly fine.

We'll see how this goes for the next few weeks and adjust as necessary.