Sports that best complements running

Lots of runners used to be soccer players and some even come from a biking and swimming background.

I suggest pick up soccer. With less competition you don't have to worry about twisted knees and slide tackling. Soccer is great for injury prevention as far as stabilization muscles in the legs. You get a great aerobic workout but also have full out sprints which help your speed. Strong for your core but doesnt add unnecessary bulk during the offseason.

kesako wrote:

I stopped doing anything else but running 3 years ago. Now here are my thoughts on sports I "could" do are:

- rollerblading (I'm good at it)

- skateboarding (I'm good at it, but not at stunts really)

- biking

- soccer?

- swimming? (it's depressing)

- something else? like tennis/badminton/squash?

- I'm short and small, no basketball or football please

With the exception of swimming, all of the above will increase your risk of injury. If you're concerned with core, you could follow a strength training program focusing on it in combination with Yoga or Pilates.

Yeah I actually played competitive soccer as a teen, mountain biked in my late teens. I'm late 20s now. I have to agree with you on the stabilization part: it trains your legs to relearn side to side movements, which I feel super weak at now. Probably good workout for the adductor muscles too.

Ultimate Frisbee!

Despite all the lacrosse jokes that go around...I really have enjoyed playing lacrosse since I quit competing in running.

Being from the west coast we don't have as much hate for lacrosse so no one calls me "bro" 24/7.

My roommate was very competitive in soccer before he started lacrosse and has since stuck with it. lots of running and physical contact.

Rock climbing- uses everything that running DOESN'T (except balls).

UF has ended many careers - I am surprised to hear that Ritz hasn't joined a UF team. Maybe he will read this and try it.

Chairman Wow wrote:

Ultimate Frisbee!

Yes agree all the way. Both about power to weight ratio, but moving in different directions.

Cross country skiing

Funny you mention rock climbing...my gym has a 40ft wall I always wanted to try. Real question: which leg muscles are most used in rock climbing? Do you need more explosive power or endurance/strength? I've never tried

Leg use depends on steepness- low-angle taxes quads/calves (more statically than running of course), while overhangs employ more core and opposition muscles. The sprinting equivalent of climbing is bouldering- short routes up to 15 feet or so, while some longer climbs outdoors can take 20 minutes or more per pitch, and long rock climbs can take days to complete.

When I started I couldn't do more than a few pullups, and was intimidated by overhanging climbs. Now I climb the steepest, most gymnastic climbs available, the price of admission being 20 lbs of upper-body muscle I didn't have as a young road rat. Casual climbers won't be putting on this kind of mass, though.

I am a "middle-twitch" guy (400-1500) and do best on sport climbs that are steep and stamina based. I actually credit climbing with lowering my sprint/800 times very late in my running career, as the extra strength/technique/focus translates well.