Pool running

[April G]

Well, I have the dreaded injury--tibial stress fractures(both legs), and it's to the pool for a while.  Who has experienced pool running and do you have any pointers?  I had my first go at it today and it's definitely going to take some practice to get the form right.  I did some online reading and it seems like the recommendation is for a lot of sessions of intervals--both to break up boredom and maintain aerobic fitness.  Any information or experiences y'all can be share would be welcome.  Thanks!

[AndyBrowning]

Here are a few people who are experts at pool running:

http://teenamarie.fastrunningblog.com/
http://rhett.fastrunningblog.com/
http://rivertonpaul.fastrunningblog.com/

I had the same injury a few years ago and know how painful it can be (both mentally and physically).  Good luck with your recovery.

[Jeffrey McClellan]

In general if you are going to be doing pool running you need to push yourself a lot harder than you do when running out of the water.  The reason is that even when the effort feels right, your muscles are actually not working as hard (probably due to the increased resistance in the water).  One of the professors here at UNLV where I go to school has done a lot of research on pool running, and his general consensus is that you need to push yourself hard fairly consistently in order to get the same stimulus that you would get running on land.  The interval programs that you have found are probably a good place to start.

[Jon Allen]

Intervals, intervals, intervals.  Only way to keep moving hard and maintain fitness, plus break up the boredom.  You can find all kinds online- 1 min on, 30 sec off, ladders, etc.
 And either buy or borrow a pool running flotation device or jimmy-rig a small life saver.