Ultrarunner Mike Wardian Takes the Weight Off

Ultrarunner Mike Wardian, who cross-trains in the Endless Pool

Fastest 50K on a treadmill.
Fastest marathon while dressed as Elvis.
Fastest time completing 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents.




Endless Pools vs. AlterG




Ultrarunner Mike Wardian training in the Endless Pool at SwimBox in Fairfax, Virginia

Endless Pool vs. Aqua-Jogging

Different indeed! Aqua-jogging requires a floatation belt to allow you to simulate jogging in deep water. It's low-impact, for sure, but as Wardian found, the balance can get tricky.

When aqua-jogging, Wardian felt distracted from running because he had to expend energy on "not sinking." By contrast, the Endless Pool "allowed me to focus more on the running."

Endless Pools Potential
As with swimming, the Endless Pool isn't just for endurance training. The unique environment of the pool is also ideally suited to technique refinement. After one Endless Pools run, Wardian already sees the pool's potential for runners.

"It would be good to work on form in there," he observes. "Because you're in the water, you have to be really deliberate with your running. It's exaggerated movement. It could be beneficial to reinforce your technique.

"If you don’t land properly on the treadmill, you don't notice it as much on a regular treadmill as when it's underwater, because there's less friction."

He's already targeted one problem area: "I noticed when we watched the video that my right foot kicks up a little bit. I'd like to make that a little straighter."

Returning to SwimBox
Wardian expects to become a loyal SwimBox customer. "Adding in the SwimBox experience with the Endless Pool, you can get in a workout without taking the pounding."

"I'd like to add that as part of the regular routine just to be able to get some cardio in without the impact." The team at SwimBox looks forward to seeing him again soon!





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