In this edition of the Ask Coach Parry podcast, we look at training for the Comrades Marathon and a 70.3 in the same year. The big question is, can you use swimming and running as strength training for Comrades? Does this make a difference depending if it is an Up or Down year?

This is the Ask Coach Parry podcast, I’m Brad Brown, With me Lindsey Parry once again. Lindsey, a question in from Simon, he said: Hi Brad and Lindsey. I’ve been inspired by both of you to try my hand at triathlons, I’m training for 70.3 in Calgary, Canada, which is in July 2016. He says he’s run Comrade’s three times in the last three years and he’s training for a Bronze for next year.

His question is this: Would swimming and biking be regarded as strength training as part of your training programmes for the Comrades Marathon? He wanted to yes, that’s basically what he’s asking and yes, I don’t know if that would count or if you would have to add them in as extra training days?

Swimming and cycling would be excellent cross-training for Comrades

Lindsey Parry: Yes, I wouldn’t count those as strength training but the swimming and cycling would be excellent cross-training and to be honest. You’d probably get away with doing a little bit less mileage because you’re going to be at a much better general level of preparedness because of the swimming and cycling. But for the down-run in particular I would still look at having some actual strength training, whether it be body weight exercises or some weights, but you can’t really consider those as strength training.

They make you a stronger runner but what we talk about in the Comrade’s programmes when we’re talking about doing strength training, is actually physically making your legs stronger to handle eccentric loading or the pounding of the down-run. So yes, I wouldn’t count it as strength training. But it’s very good cross-training and it will certainly help improve your overall status and your running.

BB: Brilliant. Simon, I hope that helps, good luck on that journey. Yes, the 70.3 journey is fantastic, it will definitely help your running too, of that I’ve got no doubt. It’s done that for me, so thanks for being in touch. Don’t forget you can get your question in too, all you have to do is head over to askcoachparry.com, submit it there and we could be answering next time out.