I've decided to start running properly again, as I've recently come back from two weeks in the Alps and am feeling a lot stronger and fitter. Running is a good way to get fit, but how to combine it with climbing?
I've set myself a target of a 10k at the end of August, a slightly hilly one in Sussex.
The problem is that every training programe assumes that running is your only sport, more schedules from raw beginner through 5k, 10k and on to marathon.
However I really enjoy climbing and I'm using running to get fitter, not as my sport, it is my second sport. So I wanted to know how to modify the programmes in a sensible way, so that I was still improving as a runner, but also able to climb. Fortunately, the people on the forums at Runners World are a helpful bunch. I asked about combining running and climbing and got a range of helpful and very useful responses. The advice is best summarized as use running as a second sport to boost fitness, do not expect to excel at it, but use running as recovery exercise for climbing. Balance intensity of running against climbing so that you do not ruin your climbing. Modify the 5k 10k training sessions so that they fit your existing climbing pattern, but do use the speed work tempo runs etc to build your running strength. Don't just go out and run your hardest each time. Do read the thread though, as there are some interesting programmes and ideas in it. I then posted it on ukclimbing and got some climber feedback too.
I'll post my eventual programme on here in a later article.
