My training consists of...
- 5 runs
- long run
-tempo run
-recovery run
-hill work
-speed work
-2 strength training sessions (down from 3 a week while in marathon season)
- Bike to work day (I count this as 2 workouts as it's a 14 mile ride each way)
-Yoga 2-3 times a week
-2-3 other cardio/strength class
-Indo row
-spin
-etc
I usually count out 11-12 workouts a week....
Looking at it seems daunting... But living it is fun! The different runs keep me interested and many are with others, so there's a social aspect to it too... The biking I've really enjoyed and helped with my triathlon training. Yoga has been so good for my body and mind. Keeping me limber between harder workout sessions. Strength training is challenging, but I want to continue improving my body composition. The other classes help to throw in some additional strength training, cardio calorie burn and core workout which is very important.
All of these things combined really have helped to keep me injury free and have pushed my running performance to a new level. A lot of runners don't do enough cross train and it can be detrimental to their running performance. While I will say I don't see myself doing 2-3 workouts a day for the rest of my life, I'm enjoying it and using it to benefit my overall health, fitness and run performance.