What's a good sport for an ex-runner to take up?

Knees were trashed age 22, took up rock climbing, now a professional.

XFit

I redshirted my freshman year of cross, indoor and outdoor. When the team traveled I stayed back and partied and played Xbox. Long story, short, my mom saw my grades and said I should quit the team. I talked to the coach that I didn't like too much and he agreed. Then I had to move back home. The girl at the phone store where I work got me to go to The Box with her. I know it's so much better than just running every day. Every day I do a different WOD. I'm going to be on ESPN for the Reebok Xfit Games. If I was still running there is no way I could do that. I hope it leads to a spot on American Ninja TV show and then DWTS.

Do X Fit. I think you would be good at it.

Flat-water kayak would NOT be a natural transition for a distance runner. Kayakers have much more upper body mass, strength, and power.

A quick google search or visit to a boathouse will make this point very obvious.

Shot put was a troll post.

Discus - average World-class discuss thrower is 6'4 and 260lbs. Basically a tight end in American football or a small forward in basketball. Long lever and the ability to pull are sort of a big deal.

Lightweight rowing (under 165) would be an option. Again, upper body would need to increase somewhat.

Heel n Toe wrote:

Racewalking.

What was your best 1600 run, and how much did you run? (Years and mpw)?

Keep in mind this is a hypothetical scenario. These aren't exactly my circumstances, although they're similar. But racewalking? Hell no.

Tennis! If you're actually uncoordinated like you said, you won't be great, but there are lots of opportunities to play recreationally even if you aren't good. If you don't have anyone to teach you, you can take an intro class in college and transition to playing club. It's a great way to meet people, and you can keep playing your whole life.

I was actually a tennis player originally, gave it up to run at the elite HS and D1 college level. Running in college ruined it for me, so I came back to tennis when I finished with that and still love it.

Ultimate

Curling

Cyclists break bones frequently.

hamster wheel wrote:

Curling

Yes, something that involves beer, such as: softball, golf, hunting, offroading..

You sound to be in the same place I was when I went off to college. I chose the easiest path available and transitioned to the Shot Put. This is a very natural athletic transition for the former runner. I found that my endurance really helped me to excel in this new arena, my throws always improve as the rounds continue. I often have my best throw in the sixth throw of the competition which highlights my endurance. I think your best bet is the 'Put', and it is also a great way to meet the babes. What woman doesn't dream of a wild night with a shot put-er??

ex cursor wrote:

Yes, cycling - hands down. Takes little talent, coordination, etc. Look at how many beer-bellied cyclists you see out on the road with the full get up. A few months of dedicated training and you'll be right in the thick of it. I know from experience.

My two concerns with cycling:

1) Seems like it would take a lot more time to get as good at cycling as I am at running. Cyclists spend hours per day on the bike. Runners could be pretty good on 1 hour per day. How much do you have to train?

2) Any concerns with getting hit by cars? With running you can run on a track, grass, trails, sidewalks, or the road facing traffic. With a bike it's either bike path if you're fortunate to have one of those nearby or on the road with traffic at your back.

Try swimming. Take a lap course at a community college?

Which is what I did.

You can cheat too, for the most optimal performance.

Nose clips, good ones.

A Finis Swim freestyle snorkel with an added top/to increase resistance for maximum VO2.

And some good short firm fitted swimming fins (Finis fins are good).

A good 50 meter pool if you're lucky:)

Watch and learn video from the "Total Immersion" course which you learn in the community college lap courses.

And your ready to go.

This coming from an experienced runner and cyclist.

My gripe about cycling, it's become a dangerous game but if you consider do add daytime flashing lights to both and front of your bike.

Have fun!

You don't appear to have an athlete's mentality. Don't feel like training? For running? Lol.

You're doomed to be a beer-bellied desk dweller consumed by your "glory years" at high school.

Get that athlete mindset back....NOW. Don't be a lazy ass....... Go train.

Hey professional rock climber!

Dare to say your name?

Thinking about the same thing for my self.

Cheers!

NeckBeard wrote:

Sailing. You meet a better class of people at the yacht club.

Hardly. Sailors are cheap and crabby. They think just because the wind is free, everything else is..

DONE and FINISHED wrote:

So far it sounds like cycling, rowing, kayaking, and skiing would be the most viable options. I doubt most runners would have the muscle mass to be competitive weight lifters. And just to clarify, the people who said shot put were trolling, right?

But you can build the muscle mass. It sounds like he is trying to find a competitive hobby for fun (not to be the best in the world). Lots of good suggestions, mine is to pick one, try it once or for a month (depending on cost and availability) and find out if you enjoy doing it. Repeat until you stick with something. That's more or less what I did after running:

Running --> Basketball --> Rock Climbing --> Tai Chi --> Rock Climbing --> Canoeing --> Volleyball and Weightlifting.

You probably aren't as tall as I am so your list will probably look different, but it's about being active and having fun and having friends who do it with you.

Linsanity wrote:

NeckBeard wrote:

Sailing. You meet a better class of people at the yacht club.

Hardly. Sailors are cheap and crabby. They think just because the wind is free, everything else is..

Ooh, ow.

Truthfully, most yacht owners don't leave the dock. Its just another place to hangout and drink away from the poor and middle classes.

And no we don't pay taxes as the boat is written off as a business expense.

Cheers, clink glasses, mate!

514 wrote:

Knees were trashed age 22, took up rock climbing, now a professional.

i second rock climbing. great complement too running. takes you amazing places, gets your ripped, keeps you motivated to stay healthy.

514....where do you climb?

just another guy wrote:

You sound to be in the same place I was when I went off to college. I chose the easiest path available and transitioned to the Shot Put. This is a very natural athletic transition for the former runner. I found that my endurance really helped me to excel in this new arena, my throws always improve as the rounds continue. I often have my best throw in the sixth throw of the competition which highlights my endurance. I think your best bet is the 'Put', and it is also a great way to meet the babes. What woman doesn't dream of a wild night with a shot put-er??

I would also recommend the discuss. The discuss is very similar to the shot put, but it goes farther. If you have ever thrown a Frisbee you are already well on the way to a promising Discuss career. Good Luck and God Bless.