Tennis AND Running

[Carib11]

I am interested in hearing from those who are able to juggle both tennis and long distance running. I am currently faced with a dilemna: I am now completely healed from an arm issue that took about 9 months to heal.
Initially it was supposed to be a 4-6 week minor injury, so I took up running to keep in shape while I was away from the courts. Well, since I couldn't come back as soon as I thought, I kept running.

Eventually I really got into it, and did a couple of 10k's and a Half Marathon recently. Its been a great addition to my life. But, I miss tennis. Running is fantastic for many reasons, but I wouldn't call it fun exactly, and its mostly done by yourself.

Anyone out there able to do both successfully ? Thanks

 

[Lefty5]

I don't often play tennis, but when I do, I play singles....

As a runner, playing doubles is a total waste of an exercise session. Really depends on how much time you have. I play once or twice a week, and run 2-3 times a week. Sometimes if the match is quick I'll go immediately run 1/2my normal base distance, which is about 7-9 miles these days.

 

[r2473]

You can do both, but you can't do both well.

How many miles do you run a week? What pace?

How many hours do you (want to) play tennis a week? What level? What style?

 

[Carib11]

Before being injured I played tennis 2-3 times a week- 2 leagues and would add in some extra matches and lessons from time to time. All singles

My running has been consistenly around 25-30 miles a week for the last 9 mos- one longer ( 7-10 miles) run on weekends, and a mix of 3-5 milers during the week- avg times for 10k ( 50 mins) and 2:05 1/2 Marathon for a beginner

I would like to do more races, and improve my times. I think this would be my priority, and I would like to play in my tennis league again for fun. But I would hate to rejoin the league, and then figure out 3-4 weeks in that it is physically too much. I am about to be 41, and besides my freak arm injury, haven't had any other injuries, running or tennis related.

 

[r2473]

You "should" be fine.

One thing I strongly suggest is to plan at least 1 day of rest that you don't play tennis or run. You'll be tempted to do something like run on the 5 days you don't play tennis. If you try to keep going without a rest day, you will probably burn out physically but you will for sure burn out mentally.

 

[Carib11]

Thanks to all- this is helpful. I also found a very long thread from earlier this year that discusses basically the same thing- titled " Can't Beat Running"

 

[LuckyR]

Obviously many do both, but they draw from very very different skillsets so it is a bit odd.

It is an interesting personality who can taste the excitement of matchplay tennis, yet feel content with the utter boredom of long distance running. Different strokes for different folks...

 

[OldButGame]

Obviously many do both, but they draw from very very different skillsets so it is a bit odd.

It is an interesting personality who can taste the excitement of matchplay tennis, yet feel content with the utter boredom of long distance running. Different strokes for different folks...

I think they share some things tough,...they both present the 'physical challenge'. In one You compete against another person, in another You compete with Yourself,...:neutral:

 

[r2473]

They are both individual sports.

Both are fitness oriented (say, as opposed to golf).

Both are prestigious in their own way. Tennis if obvious. Running is something people always talk about and get kudos from co-workers for...

"ya, I keep in shape a bit. I try to run mornings"

"I wish I had the motivation to run. I know I should"

 

[hzambran]

Depends on your particular back/knees

I have a compromised lower back from a sciatica from 10 years ago. For example, if I have to move, I can't lift very heavy boxes without risk of throwing it out but even moving light ones around for 3-4 hours makes me sore the next day or two. If I sit in bad posture at a desk for too long, I get sore and achy. Tight hams, piriformis, etc.

I noticed that for me running got me slim but after 3 months or so and being a desk worker I started getting an achy back and needing PT/massage/chiro. I shifted into serious tennis (5-6X a week often at 90m) exclusively and the rotational stress causes me no back problems. If I cross train with tennis or 45m spin cycle 2-3X a week, my back goes back to being chronically bothered. With tennis only, I get tight muscles in the mid to lower back where the rotation muscles are used, but that's it.

I get shins from both activities and am learning how to get rid of those. Point is, keep a log and over time you'll figure out what's good for you. Just make sure you don't compromise your back by overuse.

 

[chrischris]

I started doing some running again this spring, i feel better on court more supple.
It eases the mind to in a great way to jog a few miles now and again.

 

[dozu]

I used to throw in 3 miles here and there during the winter when I tennis less.... but last winter did some indoor tennis and abandoned running.

so boring. it's like, whats the point... other than some endorphine fix.. it's even worse than hitting against a wall.

 

[El Diablo]

Tennis pros mix tennis and running......notice all the tennis pros, guys in their 20s, needing hip surgery??

 

[LuckyR]

I think they share some things tough,...they both present the 'physical challenge'. In one You compete against another person, in another You compete with Yourself,...:neutral:

Tennis can be physically challenging but it is the mental challenge (which is substantial) which makes it the king of sports.

 

[larry10s]

I am interested in hearing from those who are able to juggle both tennis and long distance running. I am currently faced with a dilemna: I am now completely healed from an arm issue that took about 9 months to heal.
Initially it was supposed to be a 4-6 week minor injury, so I took up running to keep in shape while I was away from the courts. Well, since I couldn't come back as soon as I thought, I kept running.

Eventually I really got into it, and did a couple of 10k's and a Half Marathon recently. Its been a great addition to my life. But, I miss tennis. Running is fantastic for many reasons, but I wouldn't call it fun exactly, and its mostly done by yourself.

Anyone out there able to do both successfully ? Thanks

i do a 4-6 mile run after i play 2 or 3 times a week

 

[Povl Carstensen]

I ran the Copenhagen marathon a month ago, and played tennis about twice a week during my training for it. So my programme was to run three times a week, and play tennis two times. BUT I am not a hardcore competitive tennis player OR runner. I did notice though, that my overall better form and lower weight a few weeks before the marathon felt great on the court. I did not play tennis the last week before the race.

 

[rosenstar]

I am interested in hearing from those who are able to juggle both tennis and long distance running. I am currently faced with a dilemna: I am now completely healed from an arm issue that took about 9 months to heal.
Initially it was supposed to be a 4-6 week minor injury, so I took up running to keep in shape while I was away from the courts. Well, since I couldn't come back as soon as I thought, I kept running.

Eventually I really got into it, and did a couple of 10k's and a Half Marathon recently. Its been a great addition to my life. But, I miss tennis. Running is fantastic for many reasons, but I wouldn't call it fun exactly, and its mostly done by yourself.

Anyone out there able to do both successfully ? Thanks

I jog around 10-15 miles a week. I enjoy it and I find it relaxing/stress relieving. Ideally, I lift 2 days a week, jog twice, play tennis twice, and take one day off. Never ran competitively, and run at a fairly slow pace (takes me about 35-40 min to jog 5 miles). When I lift, I do full body high-intensity interval training, so my jogs are generally recover days.

 

[Carib11]

Thanks for the replies. I have settled on getting back into it with tennis twice a week, and running 3-4 times a week. Then do a couple of Half Marathons per year- during those times cutting it down to tennis once a week, and running 5 days for the 12 weeks lead up time to the race. I think its a good combo that will allow me to enjoy both.

 

[NoQuarter]

I used to do both but it is just too hard on my knees. I have switched to swimming and playing tennis.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Perhaps you should look into barefoot/minimal shoe running. Did a lot of good for my knees. I know it sounds drastic, and it might not be for everyone. But I am 51 and enjoying playing tennis and running with less pain than ever.

 

[Carib11]

I agree with the recommendation of minimal shoe running. Since I didn't start running until about a year ago in the midst of the beginning of the minimal trend, that is all I know. I read the Chi Running book before I started and practice its principles. I haven't had any issues or injuries with running, and I really enjoy my runs- usually 5 times a week.

Last week was my first combo of tennis and running, and it went very well- I was very pleased with my game after 7 mos. off. Played once, and ran 4 times, including a 9.5 miler

 

[Viking_Golfer]

Perhaps you should look into barefoot/minimal shoe running. Did a lot of good for my knees. I know it sounds drastic, and it might not be for everyone. But I am 51 and enjoying playing tennis and running with less pain than ever.

Poul, I'm also from Copenhagen.

Maybe we should play tennis some times - I have a bad bag from too much golf and also from just getting older - so mostly just play mindlessly ball bashing tennis these days :twisted:

I'm about a 4.0 - 4.5 level player these days, and only play once or twice a week in B93 Østerbro because of sore knees and because I started gym/fitness training 3-4 times a week last month. Where do you play ?

Maybe you need a hitting partner once in a while ?

I have a steady hitting partner, but sometimes it's cool to play with other guys......

I'm 39 years old BTW.

 

[Geology_Rocks!]

I actually started running a couple weeks ago because I noticed I'm getting tired too easily during matches, when I get tired my movement gets worse and thats when everything crumbles.

Of course I'm running on the days I don't play, and so far feels really good.

 

[XFactorer]

I feel like running helps my cardio endurance; and keeps my resting heard rate at a mere 48-ish BPM. But it also can suck the energy right outta ya if you don't replenish properly after the run.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Hello Viking Golfer (he he). Well I play at Kløvermarkens Tennisklub. And now in danish: Jeg har også et par stykker jeg spiller med, men altid sjovt at spille med nogle nye. Hvad er gæstereglerne i B 93? Jeg kan dårlig huske hvad det koster i KTK.