Occassional thoughts about orienteering
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| okansas.blogspot.com Occassional thoughts about orienteering |
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Monday, January 27, 2003 X is for x-trainingFive thoughts about x-training (i.e. cross training) and orienteering:Running on smooth surfaces is the best cross training for orienteering. Running on a road isn't quite the same as running in the terrain, but it is close enough to do a lot of good. X-country skiing is popular cross training for top orienteers. I've recently looked at training for Pasi Ikonen, Bjornar Valstad, Emma Engstrand and Thomas Asp and they've all been doing a good bit of skiing. I don't have much experience with x-country skiing. But, as far as I can tell, it is a great way to train. You work hard without putting a lot of stress on the body. A non-snow version of cross training that might be a bit similar is hiking at a fast walk (especially up hills). Cycling is worthwhile. I spend a bit of time each week on my bike. In the winter, it is usually on a trainer in my basement. In the summer I usually do a few easy miles on roads near my house. Like skiing, cycling is easy on the body and is good aerobic activity. Cycling can also be a good way to train when you're injured. When I was recovering from my leg/knee injury, cycling was good because I could work up a sweat, get in some aerobic activity and strengthen the upper leg muscles that needed strengthening. Living in KC, cycling is a good way to train in the summer. The summers can get hot. Running in 90+ heat isn't much fun. On a bike you generate some cooling wind and it is very easy to carry plenty of cool drinks. Some years ago I spent a summer doing a lot of cycling. Every week I'd do at least one ride of over three hours (sometimes well over three hours) plus one ride that was a short time trial (maybe 15-30 minutes at a hard effort). I didn't run much that summer. When the O' season started up, I was in decent shape. Weight/strength training is probably not too terrible for an orienteer. You don't need strong arms to orienteer. But some overall strength probably doesn't hurt. It might even help a bit. A lot of orienteers (judging by training logs at Attackpoint and reading about how others train) do a bit of strength training -- lifting weights, calisthenics, gympa and/or yoga. When I lived in Sweden I did a fair amount of gympa. I was a bit stronger than I am now. These days I do a few light calisthenics most days. Does it help? I don't know. Lots of other sports can be cross training. Pasi Ikonen seems to be addicted to innebandy (aka floorball). John Fredrikson plays a lot of basketball. Joe Brautigam plays ice hockey. Those sports aren't going to give a big pay off for orienteering. But, they bring up an important reason for cross-training...fun. Sports are supposed to be fun. Having fun is important. Having a break from orienteering can also be good for motivation. I don't think an hour of innebandy beats an hour of O' training. But, an hour of innebandy can be a good workout and can beat an hour of sitting in front of the TV watching Seinfeld re-runs. posted by Michael | 7:47 PM 
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