Sundays are my cross-training days. I do not do ANY running what so ever. What is cross-training? It is any other form of aerobic exercise that allows you to use slightly different muscles while resting (usually) after a long run day. Non- load bearing is best! Cross- traing exercises can be swimming, cycling, or walking. An hour of cross-training is supposed to help me recover after my Saturday long runs.
I choose to ride my mountain bike across town, as part of my cross-training. Yes, some of the hills can be a challenge, but in the end I feel GREAT! Today I even had the energy on the last half of my ride to chase a road biker on the Katy Trail. I stayed with her for most of the way back and we kept up a good speed (+-20 mph). I managed to kick up enough leg-fuel to blow by her for the last couple of miles. Call it cockiness, but I made sure that she was left in the dust. Ha!
The ego race did tamp out my fuel for the ride across the Trinity River and to the house. I made it home fine, although a bit slower than I had wanted.
It was worth it.