The Benefits Of Diversified Training
- By Mario Fraioli
- Published Aug. 19, 2011
- Updated Mar. 15, 2012 at 5:09 PM UTC
Achieve Results
The definition of insanity, according to Albert Einstein, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. In most cases this would be true; however, I am going to throw a monkey wrench in Einstein’s theory here. Even if you are just looking to maintain your current fitness level, you can’t do it with the same old routine. Your body becomes efficient at your chosen exercise routine when it is repeated over and over. Your muscle memory decreases the amount of effort necessary and expended, thus decreasing your calorie burn. So, in this case, doing the same thing over and over again eventually will not have the same result!
You must switch up the training by adding something new and cranking up the intensity:
- Go a little farther or a little faster on your run, or do both.
- Make one of your runs a tempo run, or add in some intervals or hill repeats.
- Pick one run a week and make that run longer, building by no more than 10% from week to week.
By adding any one or all three of these elements to your running routine, you will achieve new and improved results.
FILED UNDER: Running Injuries / Training TAGS: cross-training / Goal Setting / Running / strength training / Trail Running / Training
Mario Fraioli
Mario Fraioli is a senior editor at Competitor magazine. A cross-country All-American at Stonehill College in 2003, he now coaches the Prado Women's Racing Team in San Diego and was the men's marathon coach for Costa Rica's 2012 Olympic team. His first book, The Official Rock 'n' Roll Guide To Marathon & Half-Marathon Training (VeloPress, 2013) is available in bookstores, running shops and online.