A Week of Cross‑Training While Recovering From a Running Injury: Grindstone 100‑Mile Prep Week 4
This was the first week in over a year where I didn’t run a single mile — not ideal when you’re training for a 100‑mile ultramarathon, but sometimes the body forces a reset. The good news is that race day is still 12 weeks away, and there are plenty of ways to maintain fitness while protecting an injury.
Instead of logging miles, I shifted my focus to cross‑training, leaning heavily on cycling and swimming to keep my aerobic engine strong. Both are great tools for maintaining endurance while reducing impact stress, especially when dealing with a foot issue or returning from a setback like this. If you’re curious about how cross‑training supports long‑distance prep, you can dive deeper into aerobic base training or injury‑safe workouts.
Humbling Moments in the Pool
Swimming reminded me what it feels like to be a beginner again. My heart rate spiked just from swimming 25 meters — and that wasn’t even pushing the pace. My form? Let’s just say it needs work, something I’ll address when I eventually take on an Ironman.
Still, the challenge was refreshing. There’s something grounding about doing something you’re not great at and letting it teach you patience.
The Foot Is Improving
The best part: the foot is finally feeling better. I’ve started easing back into running — just a few cautious treadmill miles — while keeping the bulk of my training low‑impact. If you’re navigating a similar comeback, you might find value in return‑to‑run protocols or treadmill‑only training tips.
Weekly Training Breakdown
Here’s what the week looked like:
• Monday Ride — 19.34 miles
• Tuesday Ride — 19.04 miles
• Wednesday Swim — 684 yards
• Thursday Swim — 902 yards
• Friday Swim — 1,094 yards
• Saturday Ride — 38.01 miles
• Sunday Rest — Rest day
Weekly totals:
• 76.39 miles of cycling
• 1,680 yards of swimming
Not bad for a “no‑running” week
Looking Ahead
I’m hopeful that I’ll be back to consistent running soon — and ideally with no more setbacks. Training for a 100‑miler is never linear, but adaptability is part of the process. If you’re following along or training for your own big goal, you might enjoy exploring ultramarathon training strategies or how to structure peak weeks.
Coach Cam
