I'd like to run everyday if I could. Getting older and more injury prone, I need to take a few days off here and there otherwise my running would suffer. I'm looking for some other activity that has some of the same benefits of running (physical exercise, mental stimulation, etc..) that I can look forward to on my off days. Anyone have any thoughts?
I've tried a few session of yoga but there seems to be a big learning curve to it. Plus, classes where I live are $$.
The closest thing I have found to running is the stairmaster. I like it much better than the eliptical. It is also no impact. I really need to get back to adding 4 or 5 hours a week in addition to my running.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'd agree that the stairmaster/elpitical machine is similar to the mechanics of running. I guess I should have been more specific in my original post. I'm not really looking for an activity to complement my running as much something to replace the enjoyment I get out of running. For me, running offers a good way to get a good workout plus it's almost like a form of meditation. I can't really say that for most of the machines that I find in the gym.
I like the stairmaster because you can read the paper while working out or watch something good on tv. Makes my time more efficient. I have a stairmaster at home, so it is real easy to just jump on and get a workout in.
I was hurt in college and nobody knew what the cause was back then so I didn't run for 18 years. I would play noon basketball at the Y but had trouble getting warmed up for the first game. I discovered the stairmaster to warmup and it was so similar to what I got out of running that I eventually replaced the noon basketball with an hour on the stairmaster. I was able to start running again and have done one or the other since then.
How about cycling or open water swimming?