Posted: September 19, 2005

Science of Sport: Q and A with Owen Anderson, Ph.D - Cross Training

Ask Owen Q and A Index

Visitors are invited to submit training questions for exercise physiologist Owen Anderson, Ph. D. to answer in a weekly column.

Owen currently writes a weekly column for the Runner's Web.

Questions can be emailed to Owen via Form Mail.

Each week, Owen will pick the most interesting question(s) and publish his answer(s) on the Runner's Web.

I am (or was) training for the NY marathon. Training was going well when, while playing with my dog, he ran into my leg.
It hurt for a minute or two and then just felt weird. I kept running for about a week and even did my 20miler-not without pain however and woke to a swolen and sore knee the next day. the MRI revealed a fracture in the cortical bone of my femoral condyle. I'm not suppose to run for 4 weeks. Do you think cross training during this really important time in my training is enough to keep me in shape for a marathon. I'd like to be under 4h.

Darleen Sandoval, Cincinnati

Answer:

Hi Darleen,

Yes, you can preserve much of your marathon fitness by means of cross-training. Scientific studies have revealed that runners can maintain maximal aerobic capacity for as long as eight to 12 weeks by carrying out regular cycling or aquarunning workouts (with no running at all). I would recommend aquarunning/aquajogging, since it would probably place the smallest amount of stress on your femoral condyle. You can simply design your aqua workouts to mimic the ones you would use in your run training. Be sure to work carefully with your sports-medicine physician when you resume running, re-introducing running workouts very gradually and cautiously.

Very kindest regards,

Owen Anderson, Ph. D.

www.RRNews.com

About Owen Anderson
Owen Anderson, Ph.D., is the editor and founder of Running Research News and the author of the books Lactate Lift-Off (http://www.rrnews.com/products.htm) and Great Workouts for Popular Races (http://www.runningresearchnews.com). An exercise physiologist and training expert, Anderson coaches and offers training camps for runners. He's based in Lansing, Michigan. To learn more about Owen and his work, please visit www.rrnews.com

Running Research News is a monthly newsletter which keeps sports-active people up-to-date on the latest information about training, sports nutrition, and sports medicine. RRN publishes practical, timely new material which improves workouts, prevents injuries, and heightens overall fitness.