Part 6/9:
Reflecting on my past training, I realized that cross-training deserves a prominent place in a runner's regimen. In the past, while preparing for an Iron Man, I achieved my personal bests in 5K, half marathon, and 10-mile distances—all while running less. This was possible due to the addition of cycling and swimming, which kept my cardiovascular system challenged without the high-impact stresses of running.
Adopting cross-training can help to mitigate the pounding your legs receive from long-distance runs, providing the necessary cardiovascular benefits while reducing injury risks. Therefore, I suggest runners consider adding alternative aerobic exercises to their weekly training to create a balanced approach.