Q:  

I know you have discussed the merits of multi-sport training in life, as well as even for things like training for a marathon.  Could you expand a little? I seem to remember an old podcast when you talked about intellectual challenge and growth within this concept, but I couldn’t find it again when I looked.  I also have a hard time appreciating how swimming will help with marathon prep. I would love to learn more.

A:  

Great question and happy to dive in for you.  I think the original podcast that you referred to was with Carmel Galvin:  Athletic Mindset to Overcome Fears and Create Success.  This was a super episode that explored the corporate mindset, as well as overcoming fear.  To expand on this concept around the mindset side of the benefits of training for more than one sport, a few bullets that might help:

• We seldom work on weaknesses:  With busy lives and the need to filter out distractions, most people tend to follow habits and routines that fall into their comfort zone.  Seldom do we human beings consistently seek real challenge and growth in an area that is wide of the mark of natural strengths. Multisport events nearly always allow a roadmap of development in disciplines which are strengths, but also ones in which we are weaker.  This is not only humbling for most, but it becomes incredibly rewarding and educational; and as you grow, so does your empowerment and confidence.
• The multi-disciplined approach follows life demands:  If we consider the requirements of success in most situations and jobs, particularly more executive leaning functions, being really good at one thing seldom delivers success.  Most will tell you that the most successful become highly skilled at shifting mindsets many times in the day, gaining perspective and focus on a task, and developing great executive function.  These are the same characteristics that are needed in multisport success. What a lovely parallel training and proving ground for you.

If we transition our mind to a training approach, we have a proven track-record of wonderful single-sport performance gains via utilization of multi-sport training.  Examples are the 65-year injury prone fitness runner who experienced great performance gains and health in running by reducing the running frequency and overall volume and replaced it with integrating rowing, strength, and cycling on a trainer.  Perhaps the best example and deep dive come from another podcast: Marathon Training on Just Three Runs Per Week.  Jordan Ouida is not only time-starved and an experienced runner, but he also experienced massive performance gains and a wonderful and successful back-to-back Double-Marathon while only executing three runs weekly.  Seriously you ask? Yes. Here is the concept:

• Swimming is non-weight bearing and allows a wonderful route for safe cardiovascular conditioning.
• Athletes can typically hit intervals and intensity more often (due to lower muscle damage) in any block.  We hit intervals and intensity more often.
• Riding creates great muscular endurance and resilience.  We achieve muscular conditioning and continued cardiovascular endurance which all cross-pollinates to running surprisingly well.
• Strength and conditioning develop muscular resilience and also strengthens the supporting muscles that assist with form retention and improved economy.
• Strength and conditioning improve muscle fibers that are in the “usable” mix which improves power potential and greater performance yields from the running training.
• Running integrations can be executed with great intent, and we get to skip the risky and injury-inducing padding of miles and hours.  We can gain the resilience from the other routes above.

To be successful it takes courage and commitment, but we consistently see that time-starved athletes remain engaged, interested, and more healthy when embracing such an approach.  We also create a wonderful road of plasticity of the journey. Once you are complete with your marathon or running adventure the world is your oyster. Mix in all sorts of fun events and retain success.

Cheers,

Matt