Running alternative?

Question

i hurt the lower part of my leg running and need to take a couple of days off. i need an alternative to running. ive worked up to running a half a mile without stopping and dont want to lose my progress. are there any suggestions? i dont have access to a swimming pool big enough to do laps. thank u

Answer 1

a half mile is nothing, sorry

try riding a bike

Answer 2

bike

Answer 3

static bike

Answer 4

As long as you are doing something physically fit where you can get your heart rate up to the same speed as when you're running you won't loose your fitness.

I am a marathon runner, when I get injured (every runner gets injured at some point), I usually switch to the same mileage on an Elliptical machine, stair-stepper would work too, even a bike.

Good luck.

Answer 5

..

It sounds like you're new to running, is that right?  If so, I'm concerned that there may be something you are doing while running that is hurting you that you need to deal with.  More on that in a moment.

**Alternatives to running and still keeping fit**

For keeping up your cardio fitness while not running, and not hurting the lower part of your leg, consider the following:

-with floats on, running in water without touching the bottom (if the pool you have access to is deep enough, this is a great alternative exercise!)

-bicycling.  If you bike 30-60 minutes a day, and take off from running, after a week you will find yourself in better shape than you were when you started.

-elliptical machines - these are great!

-Spin / other exercycles.

-NOT the stairstepper - likely this would exert too much pressure on the lower leg.

**Dealing with the lower leg**

Back to your lower leg.  Do you know why it's hurting?  Do you know with some confidence that taking a few days off will result in a recovered leg?  Lots of things can lead to hurt lower legs, including the following:

-poorly fitting running shoes - the #1 reason for running injuries.  If you don't know if your shoes are the best for you, go to a running specialty shop and talk to the folks who work there.  Ask for help, show them how you run, they can match shoes to YOUR needs.

-improper footstrike.  Most of the time, for most people, for most races, the best footstrike involves a near flat-foot footstrike with a quick roll forward.  Running on your toes can certainly lead to sore calf muscles.  Have someone who clearly knows something about running watch you run and advise you on this.

-improper stretching, or running when your legs are way tight.  I had a soleus (a calf muscle) strain a number of years ago, caused by running when too tight.  To counter that, you need to do soleus stretching and strengthening exercises (mostly controlled toe raises) before resuming running.

Regards,

Phil

Answer 6

Bike riding is a good alternative but also try doing some core excersises. That will surprisingly keep you in shape and it will be a major plus when you get back to running.