Staying in the running: training to run – in the pool!

As he continues preparations for the Perkins Great Eastern Run, amateur runner Luke Borley looks for the best way to get himself around the course. His conclusion? Get swimming...

Someone asked me recently what my strategy was going to be for the PGER this year. It always amuses me, that question. What answer do they expect? ‘Stare down the opposition’? ‘Bring on a substitute in the second half’? This time, I had my answer ready. ‘I’m going to swim,’ I said. Before you say anything, no, they haven’t diverted the half-marathon course along the Nene, and no, I’m not intending to thrash along Broadway belly down in only my Speedos. It’s just that a large part of my training programme happens to be taking place in water.

It’s all too easy to overdo it and cause damage that might put you out of the event altogether

You may think that the best way to prepare for running is running. Can’t fault the logic – but it’s no bad thing to think outside the running shoes. Pounding the pavement is extremely tough on the feet, shins, knees, hips – the whole body. It’s all too easy to overdo it and cause damage that might put you out of the event altogether.

So how does heading to the pool help? Well, swimming is one of the best all-round exercises there is, but you can also tailor the benefits by ‘pool running’ – literally jogging in the water. A study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness compared groups who trained by running on a treadmill with those who ran in water, and found that they had virtually identical VO2 max values (AKA maximal aerobic capacity). In other words – thanks to the resistance water offers, and the cardiovascular fitness that results – the time spent in the pool is equal in value to the time spent running on dry land.

If it sounds perverse, immersing yourself in water to escape the rain, then guilty as charged

It’s also far easier on your body. Both swimming and ‘pool running’ are better for injury prevention and recovery, because the water both supports and cools you. There’s no jarring of the joints, and you emerge from the pool refreshed and with that wonderfully satisfying, warm glow in your muscles – as opposed to just knackered and sweaty (or is that just me?). It’s also out of the rain. If it sounds perverse, immersing yourself in water to escape the rain, then guilty as charged.

To help with this regime, you might like to check out the Regional Fitness and Swimming Centre – which also offers gym, sauna and studio cycling facilities, as well as a range of classes to extend your capabilities as you see fit (pun intended).

GETTING FIT AT THE REGIONAL FITNESS & SWIMMING CENTRE
There’s plenty on offer at the Regional Fitness & Swimming Centre, whatever your needs, and it’s just five minutes walk from the Cathedral. Facilities include:

• Modern and spacious gym with panoramic views of the city

• 25m swimming pool, children’s teaching pool and separate diving area

• Nordic sauna and steam room with relaxation area

• New cycling studio and fitness studio

• Over 50 fitness classes every week

• Ample free parking for members

A complete fitness membership No need for unnecessary add-ons – you get swimming, use of the first-class gym, access to the sauna and steam room and all classes included in your membership, plus a great range of over 50 different fitness classes to choose from, from low impact to high intensity.

Monday – Wednesday, 6.30 am –10 pm
Thursday – Friday, 6.30 am – 9 pm
Saturday – Sunday, 8 am – 6 pm

MEMBERSHIP ALSO INCLUDES FREE ACCESS TO THE LIDO ALL SUMMER!
Family, couple and individual membership offers available. Call 01733 864 000 or email to take a tour

Regional Fitness & Swimming Centre, Bishop’s Road, Peterborough PE1 5BW.
www.vivacity-peterborough.com