Pool Running

Spent nine months of almost solely pool running (medical problems I won't get into here). Anyways, before injuries I was about a 16:30 5k guy. After injuries, with about a month of ~25-30 mpw running on land, I ran 28:46, 28:59, and 28:32 for 8k's. So definitely worse shape. But could have been much worse?

they are ok for injury recovery and occasional session when land running not possible but don't think they will ever be a competition sport in the Olympics!

It really depends on how hard you're going. I remember reading somewhere about Paula Radcliffe drilling hard in the pool every day and coming back in good shape. I had to pool run for a few months and I drilled moderate to hard drills every day and I came back pretty strong. Still, obviously, running is ideal.

I think the hardest part about pool running, much like spending a lot of time on an elliptical or another form of lessened impact cross training, is that you feel as if you lose bone density or joint strength or whatever you call it. You can return in great cardio shape, but it takes time to make the neuromuscular change necessary to run quickly and it takes time to handle the road pounding.

Didn't they film Deena Castor in Spirit of the Marathon being forced into pool running (though on a treadmill in the pool, I'm assuming you just mean aqua-jogging, but I could be wrong, you know what they say about assuming) because of injury. She ended up winning Chicago that year, I don't know if it was a PR time or anything, but she still won a major.

thanks all