Cross Country running

[saveourpens 0]

I've heard people say that it cuts away at your muscles, but I want to lose some pounds. Every day, I go to the gym, work out, and then run in the park.

I don't know. My running time is going down and I can still advance to heavier weights in the gym (bench press, squats, dead lifts, etc.)

[barrett 0]

I highly doubt it will do anything. It's the same thing as jogging on a treadmill or runnning on a track. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think it should be a problem.

[Dean_ 0]

i dont think it cuts away your muscles, but probally just stick to the treadmill because it will help you knees.

[Kevin 5]

Steady paced long distance running is not the best training for hockey. For conditioning, intrervals that mimic the work to rest ratio of a hockey game are better. For speed, do sprints, plyos, and weights.

[NTKT10 0]

If you were only running then burning off your muscle mass would be something to worry about. Because you're lifting you're building muscle and don't have to worry about developing the infamous "runner's physique". Long distance running will build your endurance and help you lose fat, but not as well as interval training would. Like Kevin mentioned above, there are workouts specifically tailored for hockey players to increase their speed, agility and quickness: because skating works your body in a way that long slow distance running simply can't help with.

Simple wind sprints, intervals and different plyo drills would also be very beneficial and actually should be part of your workout if you're serious about your training. This could work well if your up for it:

VO2 Max Training

[wingsfan7777 0]

I ran cross for my school last year. It really is not a good idea, it really grinds your knees and ankles. My knees hurt for the first few weeks of hockey after I ran cross. I really didn't notice any endurance improvement at all either. Even after running at least 5 miles a day for 3 months.

[thorpedo26 0]

its harder it to gain muscle while runing and doing a weight cut. keep lifting and you shouldnt lose any but it will be harder to gain.

[Patrick67 1]

I used to run cross country, huge endurance help, but not the best idea for hockey as previously mentioned.

Now I run twice a week. 2½mile all-out sprint. (takes me around 11mins20-30secs) Seems to be a good tradeoff between intensity and endurance.

[Jim A 4]

running on trail, as long as its not rocky/rutted, is a better alternative and easier on your legs then the road and more beneficial than a treadmill...

general recovery/easy runs can be beneficial....intervals,etc are the staple of any program but only train one system (LT)....the biggest problem most people have when they attempt to do general runs is that they do them to fast...you are looking for general aerobic volume, you train your anaerobic/LT quite a bit already...to borrow form the RBK ads..Run Easy..you should be able to hold a conversation with ease..if using a HRM between 140-150.....just make sure you get in 30 min or more...you will see benefits elsewhere...in recovery time during intervals...less fatigue etc...

<<Now I run twice a week. 2½mile all-out sprint. (takes me around 11mins20-30secs) Seems to be a good tradeoff between intensity and endurance.>> you are running 2x per week, 5miles total and running at 4:3X per mile..no friggin way

[Patrick67 1]

I also play hockey 4 times a week besides that... (6days of training in total)

I run a 5km in just under 19mins... so Yes friggin way.

I was actually on the crosscountry team when I served in the military.

-edit- Just checked a mile/km conversion table, the route I run is 3.3km's so it's not 2½mile's but alittle over 2miles-

[thorpedo26 0]

I also play hockey 4 times a week besides that... (6days of training in total)

I run a 5km in just under 19mins... so Yes friggin way.

I was actually on the crosscountry team when I served in the military.

-edit- Just checked a mile/km conversion table, the route I run is 3.3km's so it's not 2½mile's but alittle over 2miles-

still fast

[Jim A 4]

i would think most of the people on this board could run 19 for a 5k with a basic 16 week program...don't separate your shoulder patting yourself on the back.

[Nov101775 0]

19 minutes for a 5K, means you would max out the score for the PFT for the Marine's.

That IS good. Sure anyone could do it if they worked for months at it, but how many people do?

Anyway's as far as running and knee problems, the number one issue that I have come across with hockey playes and runnig is that most of the guys i know skate more than they run (Ie, hockey players who try to run, not runners who try to play hockey). And i THINK what happens is being a fit hockey player you can push your knee's, feet etc. to far to soon before they get used to running. (Shin splints being a big example of this)

What I'm trying to say is, being in good shape but with not necessarily the right muscles you can end up hurting yourself by not easing into the running.

Form can also have a lot to do with ankle, foot and knee problems, But I can't help you with specifics with that, I just an old man with bad skins and knees who is to stupid to quit.

[OhMyGodImOnFire 0]

I don't do it because after running a while, it starts to gear your legs up for endurance (long distance) stuff. Since hockey is more of a "sprint" sport, I do those instead.

But, if you take another sport seriously then hockey (for me, hockey is #1), then train however you need to for that sport.

[jeffw 1]

How about rollerblading as an alternative?

[Jarick 5]

Personally, I would avoid the distance cardio and do sprints/HIIT. Increases your VO2 max, increases fast twitch fibers in your legs, burns more calories, and better simulates hockey shifts. So long as you're eating plenty of food (probably more than 3000 calories a day if you're of a decent size and somewhat muscular) and lifting, you will not burn muscle. But don't overdo the cardio if you want to gain muscle.

[OhMyGodImOnFire 0]

Still, if you rollerbladed long distances, it would gear your legs up for long distance rollerblading. Maybe rollerblading sprints?

[usahockey22 0]

There's nothing bad about cross country running, though for hockey it would be preferable to do high intensity interval training...and if you've ever done HIIT before, you know how much it sucks (and consequently, what good training it is).

Still, running distances is good exercise, and definitely helps your overall conditioning. If you are worried about losing weight from it, you just need to eat more food. Distance running also isn't as taxing on your body (unless you are going really hard, or really long), so sprint programs are probably good to do 2-3 times a week at the most.