Tennis and running... running and tennis...

[srwaldr]

Question: How do those who run and play tennis balance:

1. Running.
2. Tennis.
3. High Intensity Training.

I'm just looking for some advice from others who have things figured out because I sure don't.

1. I like to run. Before the tennis season I was running about a 28min 5k. Not fast, but personal best. I don't do enough HIT and sprints but want to do more next off season in addition to ~3-4 mile runs. I don't necessarily run for tennis. It's a hobby that I actually do enjoy as I like to see my times improve if I stick with it.

2. I like to play tennis. Lately I've been playing tennis 4-5 times a week, 4.0 level. I play better tennis if I don't run, at all. My footwork is improved and my stamina is high throughout 3 sets. If I run then I seem to have tired legs for the next few days. My explosiveness to run around that serve to my backhand isn't there and my tennis drops to a 2.0 level (seemingly).

3. I don't like to do HITs. I understand HITs will improve my tennis more than long distance which is why I want to find some time to do these as well.

I just went out for a run today and my time was crap, like 34 minutes 3 miles bad, with some walking involved on hills which I never do. My legs just didn't have it in them. This was the first run I've been able to get in a while, and only the 2nd the past few weeks. My running has dropped significantly even though my tennis endurance is higher than it's ever been. I've been killing it on the court although I'm weary about playing tomorrow, since I just ran today and my legs already feel like jello. But I want my running back.

My question is, from those who have been around long enough to figure it out, how do you balance running, tennis, and HITs? What has worked for you?

 

[r2473]

I run winters and play tennis summers.

Where I live, it gets too cold to play tennis in the evening sometime in October. That's when I switch over to running mornings before work everyday. I still play tennis on occasion on the weekends.

But it is impossible to run and play tennis on the same day. No way you have the energy to do both at even a decent level (as you've found out). And if you try, you'll just burn yourself out, with no real benefit (because you'll be doing both half-assed).

It's basically the same thing the pros do with their "training blocks", but they can only devote a month or so to more intense training / less tennis.

If you want to do both at the same time, that is tricky to impossible IMO.

 

[Mongolmike]

I alternate to an extent. I don't run and play tennis the same day.
I will lift and run the same day, or lift and play tennis the same day.
I have played tennis and Ultimate Frisbee the same day.

When I run, after the first 1/4 - 1/2 mile I decide how do I feel and then either go for an easy pace, or push a hard pace. In both cases I time myself and record the times. (I mainly run outside on a park trail, but do run inside on a nice track in the winter.)

I know that an easy run is just as benefical as a hard run, so if I don't feel frisky then I don't push it but still know I got a good workout in. My resting heartpace is mid 50's and I rarely get even mildly out of breathe playing tennis, even after a long rally.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Question: How do those who run and play tennis balance:

1. Running.
2. Tennis.
3. High Intensity Training.

My question is, from those who have been around long enough to figure it out, how do you balance running, tennis, and HITs? What has worked for you?

After years of sports my knees can't take much long distance running anymore. I was a cross country runner in HS and ran 10K to halfs through around 30 when kids and work killed my time and motivation. So anymore I do a majority of HIIT workouts, doing 3 15-30 minute session a week. I play tennis at least 3 days a week and sometimes up to 5 times per week for at least 2 hours each session and up to 3.5. I still try to sneak in evening 4 mile walks each night I can after work just to stretch, raise the heart rate, and more so to unwind from work.

Wish I could still run, but ain't happen currently. Maybe when I drop 30 pounds....maybe.

 

[Crocodile]

I prefer to get my cardio and endurance from swimming as running over time will put a lot of stress on your joints. Maybe running on an oval as opposed to road running might help.
At the end of the day age, body type and lifestyle will be determining factors.

 

[Lefty5]

as running over time will put a lot of stress on your joints.

Running is only hard on your joints if you're doing it wrong. This sounds like advice from the 70's man. With that said, running is one of those things that people think they can just go outside and do correctly without any coaching or modern advice. We spend so much time getting coached on how to hit our forehand and serve correctly, yet put zero effort into learning how to run correctly so we avoid injuries and stress on our joints.

 

[r2473]

Running is only hard on your joints if you're doing it wrong. This sounds like advice from the 70's man. With that said, running is one of those things that people think they can just go outside and do correctly without any coaching or modern advice. We spend so much time getting coached on how to hit our forehand and serve correctly, yet put zero effort into learning how to run correctly so we avoid injuries and stress on our joints.

True, but how many people do you ever seen running with even decent form? Nearly everyone I ever see running is an injury just waiting to happen.

Of course, the same is true of tennis as well

 

[Crocodile]

Running is only hard on your joints if you're doing it wrong. This sounds like advice from the 70's man. With that said, running is one of those things that people think they can just go outside and do correctly without any coaching or modern advice. We spend so much time getting coached on how to hit our forehand and serve correctly, yet put zero effort into learning how to run correctly so we avoid injuries and stress on our joints.

I also said that swimming would be a preference to running for tennis players. The thing is that many tennis players by the nature of their sport tend to suffer hip and spinal disk degeneration and irrespective of how good their running technique would be they would be better off in the pool.

 

[Traffic]

I also said that swimming would be a preference to running for tennis players. The thing is that many tennis players by the nature of their sport tend to suffer hip and spinal disk degeneration and irrespective of how good their running technique would be they would be better off in the pool.

My son swims competitively. We've been encouraging him to keep it up though his first love is tennis. Over the years, it's proven to be a very good cross training activity. Through swimming, he has an amazing core, and work out slightly different muscles groups or in different ways. When he's not swimming, the tennis helps him keep his fitness up.

 

[Turbo-87]

My son swims competitively. We've been encouraging him to keep it up though his first love is tennis. Over the years, it's proven to be a very good cross training activity. Through swimming, he has an amazing core, and work out slightly different muscles groups or in different ways. When he's not swimming, the tennis helps him keep his fitness up.

Boy do I second this. I swam competitively through college and I was never in better shape. My core was super strong and it gave me a foundation to build on for the rest of my life. I would love to have one of those endless pools at home. You can't ask for a better no impact exercise that hits everything and keeps your lungs capacity in peak form.

 

[Johnr]

I had been running consistently for 15 years before I took up tennis a year ago. I much prefer tennis and run sporadically now. Can I stay in tennis shape by just playing tennis?

 

[sureshs]

Don't run and ruin your knees. Save them for tennis.

 

[MisterP]

I play better tennis if I don't run, at all. My footwork is improved and my stamina is high throughout 3 sets. If I run then I seem to have tired legs for the next few days. My explosiveness to run around that serve to my backhand isn't there and my tennis drops to a 2.0 level (seemingly).

You don't actually need to run or workout. All you need is a Twitter account where you can tell all your "friends" about your various "runs" and "wods". Be sure to throw in a few humblebrags here and there about your "crazy diet" and you have the complete social media recipe. All without ever actually having done anything or made any actual friends.

Parents and siblings are sure to be impressed, though!

 

[T1000]

You don't actually need to run or workout. All you need is a Twitter account where you can tell all your "friends" about your various "runs" and "wods". Be sure to throw in a few humblebrags here and there about your "crazy diet" and you have the complete social media recipe. All without ever actually having done anything or made any actual friends.

Parents and siblings are sure to be impressed, though!

You have to step your game up and use Instagram. Make sure you use all the available filters and add #nofilter at the end of the post. Also you have to tell them about everything that went wrong that day (slept less and ate less than normal, had the wrong socks on etc) to show how much of a true warrior you are. Bonus points if you add an inspiring message or quote.

 

[MisterP]

You have to step your game up and use Instagram. Make sure you use all the available filters and add #nofilter at the end of the post. Also you have to tell them about everything that went wrong that day (slept less and ate less than normal, had the wrong socks on etc) to show how much of a true warrior you are. Bonus points if you add an inspiring message or quote.

Yes. Now we're getting somewhere.

 

[Bluefan75]

You have to step your game up and use Instagram. Make sure you use all the available filters and add #nofilter at the end of the post. Also you have to tell them about everything that went wrong that day (slept less and ate less than normal, had the wrong socks on etc) to show how much of a true warrior you are. Bonus points if you add an inspiring message or quote.

But you need to show it, not say it. After all, the best response you can get is "I can't believe you do all that."

Something like "Pain is only weakness leaving the body" will fool a lot of people.

 

[MisterP]

Here's my inspirational message:

#dealwithit

 

[Deleted member 23235]

Question: How do those who run and play tennis balance:

1. Running.
2. Tennis.
3. High Intensity Training.

I'm just looking for some advice from others who have things figured out because I sure don't.

1. I like to run. Before the tennis season I was running about a 28min 5k. Not fast, but personal best. I don't do enough HIT and sprints but want to do more next off season in addition to ~3-4 mile runs. I don't necessarily run for tennis. It's a hobby that I actually do enjoy as I like to see my times improve if I stick with it.

2. I like to play tennis. Lately I've been playing tennis 4-5 times a week, 4.0 level. I play better tennis if I don't run, at all. My footwork is improved and my stamina is high throughout 3 sets. If I run then I seem to have tired legs for the next few days. My explosiveness to run around that serve to my backhand isn't there and my tennis drops to a 2.0 level (seemingly).

3. I don't like to do HITs. I understand HITs will improve my tennis more than long distance which is why I want to find some time to do these as well.

I just went out for a run today and my time was crap, like 34 minutes 3 miles bad, with some walking involved on hills which I never do. My legs just didn't have it in them. This was the first run I've been able to get in a while, and only the 2nd the past few weeks. My running has dropped significantly even though my tennis endurance is higher than it's ever been. I've been killing it on the court although I'm weary about playing tomorrow, since I just ran today and my legs already feel like jello. But I want my running back.

My question is, from those who have been around long enough to figure it out, how do you balance running, tennis, and HITs? What has worked for you?

personally i can't.
i'm a few pounds overweight now, but 5-7 years ago when i was running regularly i was running 20m 5k's and ran a 5:25 mile time (coincidentally a req for at least one d1 school).
it's either or (which is why i envy teens and 20's folks who can do 2-a-day workouts)
If i run long or do HIIT, i'm resting the next day.
personally i think the best ways to get both tennis and cardio in, is to do HIIT and tennis...
ie:

:but requires someone to actually feed you balls (i have a couple folks that are willing to do this)
or if you're high enough level, do isolation drills (eg. fh cc only, bh cc only, or cooperative cc dtl drills (eg. alterntating cc dtl, but with 3/4 pace, run down everything, etc...))

 

[Nacho]

Question: How do those who run and play tennis balance:

1. Running.
2. Tennis.
3. High Intensity Training.

I'm just looking for some advice from others who have things figured out because I sure don't.

1. I like to run. Before the tennis season I was running about a 28min 5k. Not fast, but personal best. I don't do enough HIT and sprints but want to do more next off season in addition to ~3-4 mile runs. I don't necessarily run for tennis. It's a hobby that I actually do enjoy as I like to see my times improve if I stick with it.

2. I like to play tennis. Lately I've been playing tennis 4-5 times a week, 4.0 level. I play better tennis if I don't run, at all. My footwork is improved and my stamina is high throughout 3 sets. If I run then I seem to have tired legs for the next few days. My explosiveness to run around that serve to my backhand isn't there and my tennis drops to a 2.0 level (seemingly).

3. I don't like to do HITs. I understand HITs will improve my tennis more than long distance which is why I want to find some time to do these as well.

I just went out for a run today and my time was crap, like 34 minutes 3 miles bad, with some walking involved on hills which I never do. My legs just didn't have it in them. This was the first run I've been able to get in a while, and only the 2nd the past few weeks. My running has dropped significantly even though my tennis endurance is higher than it's ever been. I've been killing it on the court although I'm weary about playing tomorrow, since I just ran today and my legs already feel like jello. But I want my running back.

My question is, from those who have been around long enough to figure it out, how do you balance running, tennis, and HITs? What has worked for you?

Really depends what kind of running you plan to do. If your just doing some 5k/10k runs regularly, not a big deal. You need to incorporate some speed running once a week, either in the form of sprints, steps, or hill running. This will help both your running speed and tennis game. Tennis requires being able to achieve a high heart rate, and then slowing it down quickly whereas lengthy running takes a more consistent heart rate. So you just need to balance the running out with high intensity.

if your training for a marathon or half, may be a little exhausting to try and do both or it could impact your tennis speed slightly as your training yourself to maintain one heart rate. When I ran some marathons a few years back I noticed it affected my tennis speed and recovery between points.

 

[moonballs]

Running is only hard on your joints if you're doing it wrong. This sounds like advice from the 70's man. With that said, running is one of those things that people think they can just go outside and do correctly without any coaching or modern advice. We spend so much time getting coached on how to hit our forehand and serve correctly, yet put zero effort into learning how to run correctly so we avoid injuries and stress on our joints.

Because a baby learn first how to run than walk. When little kids need to get from point a to point b they usually run there. Later on we lost some of the natural running ability so have to learn it again to some extent.

 

[brianmch]

Try running slower or even fast walking. It may seem counter-intuitive but there is a theory out there (HADD) where slow running or other cardio 70% or so of MHR is said to build cellular mitochondria faster than other methods. After building a reasonable endurance base then the goal can be to increase speed. I've done this and was able to go faster for a longer period with less physical stress.

This helped my tennis game by building a higher level of base stamina that allowed me to recover faster between high intensity points. Speedwork helped me get to balls quicker. Yoga helped me play looser. They have all worked together for me anyway and were better than just singular style running.

Running too frequently, too fast/hard at a stretch, or for distances much over 5 miles tended to hurt my tennis. Good luck.