Runner's World Guide to Cross-Training

by Matt Fitzgerald

How to cross-train to improve running times and prevent overuse injuries-whether you are participating in your first 10-K or competing to win a marathon or triathlon

If you want to enjoy a long, successful life of running, it's essential to incorporate non-running activities into your training program.

Strength exercises will keep your muscles in balance. Flexibility exercises will keep them supple. And alternative endurance activities will help heal existing injuries while preventing future ones.

In Runner's World Guide to Cross-Training, Matt Fitzgerald-seasoned runner, triathlete, sports and fitness journalist, and online coach to runners and triathletes-tells you everything you need to know about the very best cross-training exercises for runners, from the equipment you'll have to buy to the techniques you'll have to master. In addition to strength training and flexibility exercises, he recommends the six best non-impact cardiovascular activities for runners: pool running, elliptical training, bicycling, inline skating, swimming, and cross-country skiing. The book shows how to integrate running and cross-training, and features five complete sample programs that will train you to compete in a basic 10-K, advanced 10-K/half marathon, basic marathon, advanced marathon, and triathlon.

Until now, there hasn't been a credible cross-training book designed especially for runners. With the imprimatur of Runner's World magazine-recognized everywhere as the most authoritative source of information on the sport-this excellent guide will be welcomed by runners at every level as the book to consult for advice on this vital topic.

Genres: Fitness

255 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2004

About the author

Matt Fitzgerald is the author of numerous books on sports history and endurance sports. He has enjoyed unprecedented access to professional endurance athletes over the course of his career. His best-sellers include Racing Weight and Brain Training for Runners. He has also written extensively for Triathlete, Men's Fitness, Men's Health, Outside, Runner's World, Bicycling, Competitor, and countless other sports and fitness publications.

Reviews

[Sebastiaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some mixes and repetition. Book isn't strictly focused on cross-training but offers more than enough tidbits of information and guidance across the other subjects it touches to make it worthwhile. In essence, message is: cross-training is beneficial, illustrated with examples and complemented with practical exercises and training plans.

[Dave Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good guide to cross-training for new and less-experienced runners. Helpful tips on alternative modes of training that can improve your overall fitness and, in turn, improve your running.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag. As with all of Fitzgerald's work, clear and straightforward writing that's easy to read and digest. The strength and flexibility chapters are the meatiest and worthwhile; the strength material in Racing Weight is a refinement (and abridgement).

The chapter on endurance cross-training to improve running performance is sadly lacking: the structure of those workouts is not really discussed. It comes down to the usual "go light for active recovery or just do it for an endurance benefit". But when you're working in any discipline, the workouts should be structured towards a particular goal, and there's no help in figuring out a structure that best supports running.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

B Good for those who need the basics of the importance of cross-training (which I don't); have a lot of terrific diagrams on stretches to do for certain muscle groups and tendons (I'm going to try some new ones). Recommended for any runner who is just running.

[Joe Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is now permanently in my spare bedroom (training room). The principles he's laid out here will be a part of my training routine for years to come.

[Olivierco · Rating 2 out of 5]

A basic book on running and cross training. I guess you could find for roughly the same price all the material by reading some issues of a running magazine.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The why and how to cross train