So much for running

WildVolley

Legend
chess9, my perspective on this is probably skewed, as I'm not a jogger type guy. I normally assume that people run to become fit, not for fun. I also assume people play tennis for fun, not to become fit. I know that there are certainly exceptions to my beliefs and "de gustibus non est disputandum."

Tennis can cause a lot of injuries if you're not careful. I know this from first hand experience. I'm someone who tries to get fit to play better and safer tennis rather than the other way around.

I just try to lend a cautionary perspective to the jogging imperialists who believe it is the one true way to get fit for almost any exercise or sport under the sun: Want to become a --------? Jog first and then do specific training later.

I agree with the advice to start slow and progressively develop your fitness. I just don't see the need for distance running in most tennis specific programs unless the person really loves to jog. You can build endurance in more interesting (from my perspective) ways.
 
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Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
No, I don't deny that running produces forces in the area of two to five times bodyweight per foot contact.

But I did ask you for a reference that running wards off osteoporosis.

I did spend 15 minutes replying your question about plyometrics. Don't you think it's time for you to return the favor? :)

Ano-- a guy who answered cindy question about plyometric and now ask her to return the favor.

OK. Here ya go:

http://weighttraining.about.com/od/weighttrainingforhealth/a/osteo.htm
 

Topaz

Legend
chess9, my perspective on this is probably skewed, as I'm not a jogger type guy. I normally assume that people run to become fit, not for fun. I also assume people play tennis for fun, not to become fit. I know that there are certainly exceptions to my beliefs and "de gustibus non est disputandum."

You know what they say about assuming things, right? ;)

I do both for both reasons.
 

ananda

Semi-Pro
Thanks!
Cindy -- who thinks ananda's avatar line is priceless :)
Cindy,
Just want to share this small thing with you.

I was a competitive distance runner. Running probably has been the most enjoyable activity of my life - especially those sunday morning brisk 21 milers.

I first had a lot of injuries - i had a long loping stride, but in my last year, i shortened my stride, and that not only allowed me to run my best times (major improvements) but also I was totally injury free. I was doing 100 miles a week.

A short quick stride reduces impact, and also increases the speed over distances (not sprinting), but it takes a few months to make the changeover fully.

To use a line from the US sprinter, Calvin Smith: one steps like a cat -- silently.
best wishes, ananda.
 

Topaz

Legend
Excellent advice Ananda! Many people have the mistaken concept that they should have a long, larger stride, when actually the exact opposite is true.

For anyone wanting tips on form I would highly recommend the book Chi Running.
 
If you love tennis and want to play for a long time, running/jogging on a weekly basis is the last thing I would do-too much stress on the joints-knees, hips, ankles, ect. Have you ever seen the physique of an avid runner, not very sexy or athletic! I will jog and sprint on a track for interval training but I prefer to do interval training on a stationary bike and skip rope, along with speed/plyometric workouts, along with weight and core training. Nothing against running, but definitely not the best thing to do for your tennis game.
 

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
You think some distance running *once a week* as part of an overall fitness program will stress the knees, hips, ankles, etc. and render you unsexy and not athletic?

Some of you guys are awfully young to be so worried about running a bit . . .

Cindy -- stoked to know that a whole lot of young guys here apparently couldn't keep up with her on a one-hour run through the neighborhood :)
 

Chauvalito

Hall of Fame
You think some distance running *once a week* as part of an overall fitness program will stress the knees, hips, ankles, etc. and render you unsexy and not athletic?

Some of you guys are awfully young to be so worried about running a bit . . .

Cindy -- stoked to know that a whole lot of young guys here apparently couldn't keep up with her on a one-hour run through the neighborhood :)

I second your comments. I am a bit miffed at all the posters who are excessively worried about what running"might" do to them. Everything in moderation.

There is no evidence that an educated runner who takes things slow and doesnt exceed 3 miles or so will have the problems so many of you mentioned above. Refer to the studies Ano and I posted above...
 

chess9

Hall of Fame
chess9, my perspective on this is probably skewed, as I'm not a jogger type guy. I normally assume that people run to become fit, not for fun. I also assume people play tennis for fun, not to become fit. I know that there are certainly exceptions to my beliefs and "de gustibus non est disputandum."

Tennis can cause a lot of injuries if you're not careful. I know this from first hand experience. I'm someone who tries to get fit to play better and safer tennis rather than the other way around.

I just try to lend a cautionary perspective to the jogging imperialists who believe it is the one true way to get fit for almost any exercise or sport under the sun: Want to become a --------? Jog first and then do specific training later.

I agree with the advice to start slow and progressively develop your fitness. I just don't see the need for distance running in most tennis specific programs unless the person really loves to jog. You can build endurance in more interesting (from my perspective) ways.

How do you define a distance runner? :) You know, Andy Roddick, who is possibly the biggest power player on the tour, or certainly one of them, runs 10 miles near his home in Austin? To me, that's a distance runner, though to an ultra runner, that's a morning limbering up session. To you that might be extreme. I remember a Mexican Davis Cupper who trained like his hair was on fire. I ran with him one day and he was faster than Cindy at the Lancome' counter. :) He typically ran 3 miles, with the last mile very very fast. To me, that made a lot of sense for tennis. Endurance and speed, nicely tied together.

Btw, I was rarely injured in over 50 years of running, yet suffer through several niggly little injuries from tennis. YMMV.

-Robert
 

Chauvalito

Hall of Fame
How do you define a distance runner? :) You know, Andy Roddick, who is possibly the biggest power player on the tour, or certainly one of them, runs 10 miles near his home in Austin? To me, that's a distance runner, though to an ultra runner, that's a morning limbering up session. To you that might be extreme. I remember a Mexican Davis Cupper who trained like his hair was on fire. I ran with him one day and he was faster than Cindy at the Lancome' counter. :) He typically ran 3 miles, with the last mile very very fast. To me, that made a lot of sense for tennis. Endurance and speed, nicely tied together.

Btw, I was rarely injured in over 50 years of running, yet suffer through several niggly little injuries from tennis. YMMV.

-Robert

Radek Stepanek and Ferrer who runs about 6 miles(i think daily) are also a couple of guys who run on a regular basis.

Apparently nadal himself would be running, but does not because of his previous foot injury
 

WildVolley

Legend
How do you define a distance runner? :) You know, Andy Roddick, who is possibly the biggest power player on the tour, or certainly one of them, runs 10 miles near his home in Austin? To me, that's a distance runner, though to an ultra runner, that's a morning limbering up session. To you that might be extreme. I remember a Mexican Davis Cupper who trained like his hair was on fire. I ran with him one day and he was faster than Cindy at the Lancome' counter. :) He typically ran 3 miles, with the last mile very very fast. To me, that made a lot of sense for tennis. Endurance and speed, nicely tied together.

Btw, I was rarely injured in over 50 years of running, yet suffer through several niggly little injuries from tennis. YMMV.

-Robert

I certainly believe you about the injuries. If I were advocating a sport based on avoiding injuries, I wouldn't suggest tennis because of all the potential of injuring the elbows, shoulders, ankles, hips, and knees.

Using Roddick as an example is problematic, as he's far from a great mover on the court compared to many of the other pros; he sort of clomps around. I doubt we can blame that on his distance running, though it probably doesn't help.

I'm not convinced that most pros are necessarily training in the most efficient way. There's a lot of inertia in the whole sports world to new ideas and empirical evidence. A lot of coaches and pros are probably still stuck 20 years in the past when it comes to conditioning. I saw the same thing in college track & field 15 years ago. I frankly don't see the relevance of moving at a consistent pace for an hour or whatever Roddick is doing to the stop and go and burst speed required on the professional tour.
 

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
Why do you assume that distance running means you will move at a consistent pace?

I vary my pace when I run an hour. I run faster up hills, and I try to keep pace with a variety of songs on my Ipod.

I mean, if Roddick is doing a 10-mile run, I'd say he is simply cross-training. Nothing wrong with that. Actually, I'm kind of surprised that so many people here deliberately avoid longer runs. I would have expected the 5-mile run to be a staple around here.

Cindy -- who has decided the single best song for picking up the pace during a long run to be Ludacris' "Pimpin All Over The World"
 

ananda

Semi-Pro
anyone remember this?
runnerloverbump.jpg


nuff said.
 

Cindysphinx

G.O.A.T.
That was really rude.

It's par for the course around here, Babb. Lots of dissing of people (in this case suggesting that 2.5 tennis can't possibly be physically taxing or perhaps just believing that 2.5s must be in poor shape) based on their level.

The exertion required in tennis is a function of many things, I suppose. But in my experience one of the most important factors in how tired you get is how closely matched the players are, not the level.

I assure you that two 2.5 women will work up more of a sweat playing singles than a 4.0 TW guy playing against Roger Federer.

'Cause the 4.0 won't ever get to touch a ball.
 

Topaz

Legend
It's par for the course around here, Babb. Lots of dissing of people (in this case suggesting that 2.5 tennis can't possibly be physically taxing or perhaps just believing that 2.5s must be in poor shape) based on their level.

The exertion required in tennis is a function of many things, I suppose. But in my experience one of the most important factors in how tired you get is how closely matched the players are, not the level.

I assure you that two 2.5 women will work up more of a sweat playing singles than a 4.0 TW guy playing against Roger Federer.

'Cause the 4.0 won't ever get to touch a ball.

See Cindy...I would have literally exploded at that comment...you...you take it all in stride.

Good answer, and very true at that.
 

Venetian

Professional
That was really rude.

I just took it as a joke. Sarcasm doesn't come across well through text.

But anywho, I've been sprinting/distance running since I was 11, so for 12 years now. I've only ever had one injury, shin splints, which healed in 2 weeks. I'm in the military though and I see plenty of running related injuries, but it's always from people carrying around way to much weight in the gut region. If you're not in somewhat decent shape and don't train right, you're bound to get injured running.
 
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