Running & CrossFit... not a good match!

[AlphaExecDave]

So, in order to also work on core strength, fitness and toning, following advice from a good friend, I gave CrossFit a try on Wednesday. And it’s fair to say... I’m broken!!

Whilst I knew that it would be high impact and intense, I wasn’t prepared for the state it would leave me in. My quads are the primary issue, they’ve been incredibly tight and burning now for a couple of days and even walking is a struggle!

Suffice to say, any hopes of starting W8 are firmly off the cards until I can walk again. It’s put a real spanner in the works and left me pretty disappointed.

Without a doubt, it’s a brutal way to get fit and something that I just don’t think is conducive with long distance running.

Anyone else had any experience or got any thoughts??

[sallenson Graduate]

Ouch Dave!! Sounds like a nasty case of DOMS you have there.

You'll have a lot of tiny micro-tears in your legs. Take some ibuprofen to get the swelling down. That'll get the blood flow going again. Keep walking around.

You should be back to normal in a couple of days.

Probably avoid Cross Fit for a while. Stick to bridges (side and flat), planks, bodyweight squats and lunges and leg raises. Plenty of exercises you can do that won't knacker you.

You'll be fine, but blimey DOMS is painful eh? You'll be back in your trainers in no time hopefully.

[AlphaExecDave Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Yep, sounds exactly the issue...! And yes, unbelievably painful... hobbling around like someone with arthritis today...!

Will certainly look at something far lower-impact. I can see how CF can be effective in quite a short space of time, but it can’t be detrimental to running, otherwise it’s just pointless...

[sallenson Graduate in reply to AlphaExecDave]

Indeed. C'mon tiger, lets get those sore knackered legs sorted out and get you back in your trainers doing a real sporting activity

For what it's worth I remember many years ago doing three back-to-back classes (I was keen and fit) and was so sore the following day I took the day off and stayed in bed

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Ouch..ouch..ouch!

Keep moving, otherwise you will stiffen..and. you will feel worse... very gentle movements initially, though.

But if the pain persists after the initial RIPE procedures...then do get checked out

Slow and steady though with your exercises.. it is easy to cause more damage!

Generally if we build up our core strength and stamina exercises throughout the programme, it is not an issue...but quite a few folk do no core strength or stamina exercises at all alongside C25K and that's when the problems may occur later

There are lots of choices out there, which give a useful, but less intense blast of support. Many of us have a daily routine and some are upped for some rest days too.

[AlphaExecDave Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Cheers Floss. It’s definitely going to be a slow process... even walking is incredibly painful! But doing as much shuffling about as I can...!

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Take a look at this guy's thoughts. He thinks running and crossfit don't work well together and that runners need to get strong first and foremost. His core strength exercises are fab and you can really feel the difference. I've always done weights and think it's worked well with my running.

strengthrunning.com/

[AlphaExecDave Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Some great blog articles there when searching under “CrossFit”. Read through a lot of the articles from other sites that he links to and there’s a lot of criticism out there. And frankly, I pretty much agree with all of it....! Pushing yourself that hard, in such a short space of time just isn’t healthy, and to be honest, borderline dangerous.

[AlphaExecDave Graduate]

CrossFit + 3... still in pain, still very sore, and most of all, highly frustrated...! It’s hard to find any position to sit or stand in to be comfortable and stairs are terrifying!

Having spent most of yesterday reading about CrossFit (and wishing I had before going and giving it a trial run), it’s now hard to see how anyone couldn’t regard this “fad” as anything but dangerous and irresponsible!

I’ve had an email today from the owner at my local CrossFit “box” for feedback and to see if I’ll be coming down again to take on a full membership... don’t think he’ll be quite ready for my reply! 😂

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to AlphaExecDave]

Blimey, you have got it bad 😩 What about a nice walk/jog or swim in the pool? That will loosen everything up but it's low impact.

[AlphaExecDave Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

I wish even that were possible! That’s how bad it is. This morning certainly feels better than yesterday. Working most of the day, so should be able to hobble around to at least keep moving. If there’s this level of improvement again tomorrow, should be able to entertain a half decent walk.... hopefully!