Anyone notice a significant reduction in athleticism and increase in injury when you made running your primary or only focus?
My first 2.5 years running I used XC and Track as supplements to the other sports I played (baseball, basketball and football). Though I played JV/Varsity level in the other sports it became clear that I was most gifted as a runner.
Finally Junior track season I discontinued all other sports and saw a huge increase in performance (went from being state qualifier to nationally ranked).
Problem is after that season I started training year round and instead of seeing an increase in performance I was consistently injured and only saw a very small improvement in time over the next several years as I gave up all other sports (even recreationally) to train full time.
Also experienced a huge decrease in athleticism (huge decrease in vertical jump, agility/side to side and explosiveness though my top speed was still good)...
Still wanting to try improve even though I’m out of college. Thinking a more well rounded approach with some focus on weights/general strength exercise as well as becoming a better all around athlete might help? Any insight?