How much running do you guys do to stay fit?

[Docalex007]

A few years ago you'd never catch me running. I was all about pumping iron in the gym and getting big, getting ripped, getting toned. Now my outlook is a bit different.

I have this beautiful lake nearby with well cleared hiking trails going around it (4km = one lap). I've started running it twice which gives me 8km. I do this every other day. Since I started this, I've noticed my cardiovascular health and fitness shoot up through the roof. I can run the 8km now without the feeling of dying from the lack of oxygen. One part of the trail requires running up hill for several minutes - it seems I shoot up this hill without slowing my speed down...and this already after I've put 5km behind me. So it looks like I get around 32km per week. Instead of running further, I've been working on running faster.

What about you guys?

[Midlife crisis]

I train cardiovascularly (cycling and running) approximately 10-12 hours per week, lift weights about three hours per week, and play tennis between 3-5 hours per week.

[rasajadad]

I've been told to cut down on the jogging and do more anaerobic running (interval training, change of direction excercises, etc.)

Are you winded after a 10 shot rally? How fast can you recover between points? It may be the case that you're aerobically fit and could use some quickness work, changing direction, balance stuff.

[Return_Ace]

answer to your question = not enough.... like... hardly any... :/

[atatu]

I don't run anymore, my knees hurt too much. I restrict my running to hill workout, usually 3-4 times up a quarter mile hill by my house.

[tennis-n-sc]

I've been told to cut down on the jogging and do more anaerobic running (interval training, change of direction excercises, etc.)

Are you winded after a 10 shot rally? How fast can you recover between points? It may be the case that you're aerobically fit and could use some quickness work, changing direction, balance stuff.

Actually, some of the new ideas being thrown out there reflect what you are saying and are actually critical of much running. But who knows.

[thebosher]

I have been trying to run 19 miles a week, and lift for about 4-7 hours a week but normally I run maybe 12-19 miles a week and I lift maybe 3-5 hours a week. But I play some form of a cardiovascular sport for at least an hour every day

[c_zimma]

I am not a good runner. I am 15 years old, but running is hard on my knees and joints. I play tennis 2-3 hours a day, and my legs feel great. It is just plain running that is tough on my body. Any tips?

[Docalex007]

I am not a good runner. I am 15 years old, but running is hard on my knees and joints. I play tennis 2-3 hours a day, and my legs feel great. It is just plain running that is tough on my body. Any tips?

You have to strengthen these joints by running slowly on a non-concrete/ashpalt surface. It's all about starting off slow, running only a little bit each week.

Since you are 15 right now, I'd recommend drinking lots and lots of milk! Now is the time where your bones act like a sponge and absorb calcium like crazy. Once you get around my age of 21, your bones will have stopped growing and drinking milk is no longer beneficial for bone strength. Now is your chance! I drunk a lot of milk all throughout my teens and I'm proud to say I've never broken a bone (despite all the hard sports I played like football).

But the biggest tip is just try and run on a trail or grass path.

[MoneyBall]

Drinking milk is always beneficial! Anyways, I try running as often as I can and it has helped my tennis game.

[chess9]

Actually, some of the new ideas being thrown out there reflect what you are saying and are actually critical of much running. But who knows.

I'm not doing as much distance work as I did last year, but this year I've not entered any triathlons and am focused on tennis. Still, I do about 5-6 hours of cardio (non-tennis) per week just to stay fit enough to do a triathlon if I want to. Having said that, I think once you get a solid base of cardio work from about 8-12 weeks of long, slow, distance work, then more sprinting and interval work is better for tennis. I get so much sprinting work these days from playing a few young guys that I haven't been doing any off-court sprinting.

Just don't do sprinting or interval work without the base training FIRST.

-Robert

[Caswell]

I do a couple of miles before work three times a week. I'm trying to sort out some issues with my feet, so I try not to beat on them. Surfing takes care of the anaerobic part without beating on my feet.

I need to start weight training again. Getting older, losing some tone.

[Kevin T]

I cross train by playing squash 3 times each week and am in the best shape of my life. I haven't ran a single mile in over a year and went out and set a personal best in a 10k a few weeks ago. Wasn't even that tired after the race. Play a couple hours of squash and you're ready to take a nap due to fatigue.

[Andres Guazzelli]

10K, as in two 5K laps, four days a week.

http://www.f-mercury.com.ar/callesmdplata2.GIF

I run one day, I rest the other, and I run the next one, complimented with swimming. If the first week I ran, the next week I swim those 4 times. I like swimming the most, but heh... that's the way the cookie crumbles... :p

I was doing more of a resistance running, running into a beach-complex with lots lots lots of stairs, but since it's been raining a lot lately, the floor is quite slippery, so I don't want to risk anything.

Edit: The idea of the 10K, to maximize cardio work, and fat burning, is to do it in an hour, or under. The first time, I did the first lap in 32 mins, and the 2nd lap in 25. Now, I cut it down to 28 mins and 22.

[Rickson]

A few years ago you'd never catch me running. I was all about pumping iron in the gym and getting big, getting ripped, getting toned. Now my outlook is a bit different.

I have this beautiful lake nearby with well cleared hiking trails going around it (4km = one lap). I've started running it twice which gives me 8km. I do this every other day. Since I started this, I've noticed my cardiovascular health and fitness shoot up through the roof. I can run the 8km now without the feeling of dying from the lack of oxygen. One part of the trail requires running up hill for several minutes - it seems I shoot up this hill without slowing my speed down...and this already after I've put 5km behind me. So it looks like I get around 32km per week. Instead of running further, I've been working on running faster.

What about you guys?
I don't run, but I do some jumping on tables which gives me a combination of aerobic and anaerobic work. My heart rate goes up as I do many jumps and I'm strengthening my quads and calves with the explosive movement. If you can't quite jump a picnic table which is 32" high, try the park bench and increase your distance as you keep going.

[Return_Ace]

I don't run, but I do some jumping on tables which gives me a combination of aerobic and anaerobic work. My heart rate goes up as I do many jumps and I'm strengthening my quads and calves with the explosive movement. If you can't quite jump a picnic table which is 32" high, try the park bench and increase your distance as you keep going.

hahahaha, i just had this mental image of some guy (cuz i don't know what rickson looks like) just bunny hopping on and off picnic tables for 20 minutes lol

[malakas]

I don't run out,because it is so hot I would faint after half an hour and I don't..I can't wake up so early in the morning that isn't so hot.
I run in the gym for one hour and a half every day.Ouf..I am tired even thinking of it now...:(

[Rickson]

hahahaha, i just had this mental image of some guy (cuz i don't know what rickson looks like) just bunny hopping on and off picnic tables for 20 minutes lol
Jump forward and up and backwards and down. That's exactly what it looks like. My goal after a good warmup is to reach the middle of the table and if that gets easy for me, I might jump the whole table one day, lengthwise!

[looseswing]

If I do bike training two times a week and then play tennis for a six hour camp do you think that it will be enough to keep me fit for tennis?

I will play three times a week

[chess9]

If I do bike training two times a week and then play tennis for a six hour camp do you think that it will be enough to keep me fit for tennis?

I will play three times a week

Do one long, easy bike ride per week, then do one day of something like hill repeats. 10 x .5 mile, balls to the wall. This assumes you already have a good solid base of endurance training. (8-12 weeks of long, slow distance work)

-Robert

[looseswing]

Do one long, easy bike ride per week, then do one day of something like hill repeats. 10 x .5 mile, balls to the wall. This assumes you already have a good solid base of endurance training. (8-12 weeks of long, slow distance work)

-Robert

Yeah I do. I ran X country during the year and continued running.

[chess9]

Yeah I do. I ran X country during the year and continued running.

You are brilliant. :)

-Robert

[looseswing]

Not as great as you Mr. Fitness.;)

[AshNYC]

Normally 22-25 miles per weak.
But after my knees started to hurt I switched to 22-25 one week then 10-12 the 2nd week, back and forth to keep my knee fatigue minimal

[KuramaIX]

About 20 miles per week, mostly on the treadmill

[Woodstock_Tennis]

I use to run 2-3 miles every morning to start the day off. However, over time I've found 20-30 minutes of sprints and jump rope to be more productive for on court help.

[louis netman]

I hate running....always have, always will...

[TW CSR]

I usually run about 2-3 miles a day 4 days a week on the treadmill. Recently I haven't been running much more than 3 miles because my feet have been hurting. I just picked up a pair of shoes at Running Warehouse that are super comfortable so hopefuly I'll be able to start increasing my running distance. I usually run after my weight lifting which I feel has additional benefits, at least I personally feel best with this routine.

[peter]

A few years ago you'd never catch me running. I was all about pumping iron in the gym and getting big, getting ripped, getting toned. Now my outlook is a bit different.
...
What about you guys?

I have this running trail (2.5km) inside a small "forest" that passes next to my house (about 50 meters) that is *perfect* if you want to train for tennis. Here's the height profile from the trail (heights in meters):

http://www.grebosmk.net/Sparet/profil2.jpg

Now, does *that* look like an intervals training curve or what? :-)

And how often do I utilize this free resource? Umm.. About once or twice a year. I know. I know. I'm stupid...

[metsjets]

none...i get winded after a i sprint to reacha drop shot ;) i'll be doing a lot of running this summer.

[Jonnyf]

RUNNING, hahahahaha you've got to be kidding me docalex007

[xtremerunnerars]

20-25 miles a week, with one speed workout.

[Radical97]

1 x 5 miles a week to keep me ticking over..

[GuyClinch]

I jump rope on a wood floor. It's a better tennis workout, IMHO and it's better at building the kind of explosive speed you need for tennis and better for your footwork. You can get quite a workout in very little time.

Sometimes people are surrprised when I tell them I don't run but I find it's better to keep the weight off with diet then with marathon sessions of running. I will ride bikes though (some) - I usually do stationary bikes with interval training as that better approximates tennis and is just less boring.

Pete

[tennispr()]

i run around 1-2 miles a day after playing 2-3hrs of tennis

[croatian sensation]

I hate running....always have, always will...

My kind of a guy. :mrgreen:

I hate it.

[thebosher]

Yeah I used to be like that... I would ride my bike instead, I would ride for like 5 minutes and be winded.

[SrGuapo]

I used to run Track and Cross country in junior high, but I can't stand running by myself. I've been trying to be alot healthier this summer and get rid of some of the fat I built up in the spring. I have been going to the gym around 3 times a week and doing and hour of cardio, then various weight training. The other 4 days I have been training for soccer with some friends. Hopefully I can be back in shape in the next couple months...

[GOOOOOGA]

I used to run Track and Cross country in junior high, but I can't stand running by myself. I've been trying to be alot healthier this summer and get rid of some of the fat I built up in the spring. I have been going to the gym around 3 times a week and doing and hour of cardio, then various weight training. The other 4 days I have been training for soccer with some friends. Hopefully I can be back in shape in the next couple months...

I know exactly what you mean. I can somewhat deal with running by myself (the main part is to learn how to pace yourself), but what really bothers me is when I have to run on the track. It's so boring, because it takes away a part of running outside I love- the scenery.

I believe, like many who've already posted, that staying in shape has to include a combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Some of the things me and my friends do each week:
- run a 400m, then rest by walking 100m, then run a 300m, then rest by walking 100m, run a 200m, then rest by walking 200m, then finish with a 100m dash. The first few times I did this, I could barely breathe at the end.
- A timed 3-mile (we shoot for below 20 minutes)
- Wind sprints
- Hills
- Plyometrics
- Stairs (if it's raining): I never knew running up and down a flight of stairs could be so painful

Just a friendly reminder to always warmup and warmdown, and to STRETCH

[Docalex007]

Yep, running stairs is excellent for strengthening your lower leg muscles.

[naturalgut]

I run 2Ks every second day

[Docalex007]

I run 2Ks every second day

Dang you're slow. The ISS does 7.7 km per second. Keep training. ;)

[jeff_berg88]

For the guy (or anybody else, for that matter) that jumps rope. How many reps/ how long do you do it? Personally, I do 1,000 reps a day. I do 300 on both feet, then 200 on my right, 200 on left, and then 300 on both again. This works pretty well for me, but I wouldn't mind hearing your jumping routine. Thanks.

[Rod_Laver_Legend]

A few years ago you'd never catch me running. I was all about pumping iron in the gym and getting big, getting ripped, getting toned. Now my outlook is a bit different.

I have this beautiful lake nearby with well cleared hiking trails going around it (4km = one lap). I've started running it twice which gives me 8km. I do this every other day. Since I started this, I've noticed my cardiovascular health and fitness shoot up through the roof. I can run the 8km now without the feeling of dying from the lack of oxygen. One part of the trail requires running up hill for several minutes - it seems I shoot up this hill without slowing my speed down...and this already after I've put 5km behind me. So it looks like I get around 32km per week. Instead of running further, I've been working on running faster.



This is always a better way of training instead of just sticking to the weights. I run for my county over here in England, so I run alot. I have training twice a week, I'm regulary at the gym on the treadmill and run far in the nice weather round the countryside.

It's so much better than weights though, you lose weight alot better, get a good fitness and improve your indurance alot.

Believe it or not, if you want a six pack, the best way to start getting one is by running.

[Stu1961]

For the guy (or anybody else, for that matter) that jumps rope. How many reps/ how long do you do it? Personally, I do 1,000 reps a day. I do 300 on both feet, then 200 on my right, 200 on left, and then 300 on both again. This works pretty well for me, but I wouldn't mind hearing your jumping routine. Thanks.

My rope routine is comprised of 5,000 reps every other day - which takes about 33 to 35 minutes. It depends on the tempo of the tunes on my mp3 player.;) Usually songs selected for between 150 to 170 bpm - though as I get older (45 now) I find I'm selecting more tunes in the 150's range :sad:.

The routine is usually 5 sets of a thousand (sometimes doubled for 2 thousands):
4 right, 4 left x 25 for 200;
3 right, 3 left x 33 for 200 (or close enough:));
2 right, 2 left x 50 for 200;
1 right, 1 left x 100 for 200 (mostly crossovers to keep shoulders loose);
then together for 200.

After 5 sets, my calves & achilles (shoulders and neck as well) are ready for another fifteen minutes of stretching.

[Arawn_3]

Running is really overrated for tennis players. Once or twice a week is more than enough. Interval training is where it's at, that's the most important for tennis. Basically interval training is good so your body can recover faster between points. Jogging/running is only good if you're in a long rally so you won't get tired DURING the rally. Recovery in between points is improved by interval training.

Good would be like jogging 1-2 times a week, interval 3-4 times a week, and doing gym around 3 times a week. Then there's basic things you have to do daily such as rubber band exercices, they don't make you stronger or more muscular really, but they're very good for injury prevention to shoulders and back.

[Arawn_3]

Sorry for double post but jumping rope should also be done daily, this is great for being more lightfooted on the court and will help with your explosiveness. Around 1,000 reps a day would be good.

[Nike Man]

This is always a better way of training instead of just sticking to the weights. I run for my county over here in England, so I run alot. I have training twice a week, I'm regulary at the gym on the treadmill and run far in the nice weather round the countryside.

It's so much better than weights though, you lose weight alot better, get a good fitness and improve your indurance alot.

Believe it or not, if you want a six pack, the best way to start getting one is by running.

You say you run for your county....just curious to know what sort of distances you do. Is it cross-country in the winter and track in the summer (middle distance)? Or more 10k road runs and stuff?

[stormholloway]

Interval training is the best. I agree. Try doing so carioca steps on a track for footwork as well. For overall fitness, riding a bike is less impactful on the body.

[horridvolley]

i do semi-regular interval to keep the speed/explosiveness i got from 3 summers of plyometrics training - and to add on the skipping rope stuff, if you want to make it slightly more difficult you can always do 1 leg at a time or make every skip a double skip. i suppose its the same idea as interval training, except with a skipping rope; high intensity for short periods. it yielded much better results than constant normal skipping for me.

[Duzza]

whats 7 * 0?

[West Coast Ace]

For overall fitness, riding a bike is less impactful on the body.Cross Country Ski Machine for me. No stress on the knees at all. Doesn't work the upper leg muscles as much as running.