Run session before swim session - bad idea?

Micilin Muc

Hi,

I'm a long-time commuter cyclist (15 years) and a recent convert to long-distance running (4 years). I've dabbled with a little bit of swimming on and off for about 12 years too, but now doing all three disciplines on a regular basis for the first time since joining a tri club.

Is it a bad idea to do a morning or afternoon run session (hill repeats, tempo session, VO2 max session) before a club evening swim session?

My calves and feet started to cramp after my first session last Friday. I put it down to the hill repeats I did only a few hours before the swim, despite doing a good bit of yoga stretching after the run.

pgibbo

I find the same thng happens to me. If I run before a swim I walways struggle with cramps and the likes. If it was a tough run, I find swim times are slower too. If you're doing regularly the body may get used to it. I've not done it long enough to know. I generally swim first.

Kurt Godel

Micilin Muc wrote: »

Hi,

I'm a long-time commuter cyclist (15 years) and a recent convert to long-distance running (4 years). I've dabbled with a little bit of swimming on and off for about 12 years too, but now doing all three disciplines on a regular basis for the first time since joining a tri club.

Is it a bad idea to do a morning or afternoon run session (hill repeats, tempo session, VO2 max session) before a club evening swim session?

My calves and feet started to cramp after my first session last Friday. I put it down to the hill repeats I did only a few hours before the swim, despite doing a good bit of yoga stretching after the run.

You couldn't have put more stress on your calves if you tried. Hill repeats=foot/calf angle at maximum. Swim=foot/calf angle at minimum. Not a great idea doing two hard sessions back-to-back anyway (unless you've a good reason to do so, ie being race-specific), but hill sessions followed by swim sessions should carry a general calf warning.

Micilin Muc

Kurt Godel wrote: »

hill sessions followed by swim sessions should carry a general calf warning.

Aw shucks, will have to re-jig my schedule so! I believe you're partial to some hill training too - will have to follow your log

joey100

I've tried it in the past and it comes down to which is the more important session for me. If it's an important swim I want to be feeling fresh going for it so the run would have to be an easy one.If the run is the important session I have gone for a swim after to recover. Morning and evening though usually works ok for me though, but usually with the swim first.

Kurt Godel

Micilin Muc wrote: »

Aw shucks, will have to re-jig my schedule so! I believe you're partial to some hill training too - will have to follow your log

I actually gave up the hills for this very reason! I enjoy swimming; combining it with hills (even with a couple of days in between) was giving me too much calf trouble. However, everyone is different, and perhaps you'll react more positively. Your stretching and yoga might well see you combine the two with greater success; best of luck!

RacoonQueen

I've tried it a few times, when the swim is the second session I find I underperform in the swim. No issues doing swim session in the morning/afternoon and run in the evening though.

griffin100

I often do an easy run the morning of an evening swim with no issues. However a hard run session followed by a swim leads to calf, foot and toe cramps!!

scuba05

If you feel you have to run on the same day as a swim, why not do the main swim set with a pullbuoy? This will take the pressure off your legs and prevent you from engaging in excessive kicking that may lead to fatigue in your calves etc.

rainbow kirby

I'd be thinking only do one of them hard - no hard running if you have a club swim session, only do an easy swim if you've done a run session.