Running while doing Insanity?

KimMc60
KimMc60 Posts: 112 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Right now I'm doing T25, and once I finish (in about two weeks) I want to start Insanity so I'd finish it towards the end of February. However, I'm running an 8k in March, and I need to train for it since I've never run that far before (most I can do right now is 3-4 miles). I wanted to start training in February, which would be month two, but I heard that it's super challenging/tiring...does anyone have tips to help balance the two? Would it be too much to do Insanity and then run once or twice a week?

Replies

  • just_Jennie1
    just_Jennie1 Posts: 1,233
    I think it would be too much. I did Insanity at the beginning of this year and it is intense and it will kick your butt. I had all intentions of going to the gym in the am and doing my normal workout then supplementing insanity in the afternoon. No way would I have been able to do that and not be exhausted and burned out.

    Do one or the other but I personally wouldn't do both.
  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    I ha a 10k while I was doing insanity and didn't do any running whatsoever during the whole two months. When the 10k came, I ran a personal best. Insanity is an intense cardio workout. If you can get through the full program, you won't need much running, if any, to do an 8k.
  • KimMc60
    KimMc60 Posts: 112 Member
    I ha a 10k while I was doing insanity and didn't do any running whatsoever during the whole two months. When the 10k came, I ran a personal best. Insanity is an intense cardio workout. If you can get through the full program, you won't need much running, if any, to do an 8k.

    That's really interesting and good to know! Congrats! However since I'm not running throughout the winter I know I'll be dying to get back on the road by the time February comes around...I was thinking about possibly only doing Insanity 5x a week, run once a week, and then have a rest day?
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    I haven't done Insanity, but right now I am doing ChaLEAN extreme. There are only 2 cardio days per week, but even that was enough for me to be able to run a 5K with no problem on Thanksgiving. I hadn't run since JUNE so I figured I would walk half of it or whatever, but just having those two consistent cardio workouts every week kept me in good enough shape for the run. And trust me, I am NOT one of those people who can get off the couch after a year and automatically run 2 miles. I assume you will have the same experience with Insanity.

    If I were you, I would do Insanity and sign up for the 8K. I would do the regular Insanity workouts and nothing more, and then maybe two weeks before your race, skip an Insanity workout and try to run an 8K instead. I bet you will be able to do it. If not, maybe replace a few more Insanity workouts with runs and see how you do.
  • aetzkorn14
    aetzkorn14 Posts: 169 Member
    Insanity in the morning and running in the evening would be my choice. I did Insanity and it was challenging but not horrible, plus the actual work out is only 20-30 mins and not everyday is cardio. When you start it just look at the calendar, and work your running around your cardio days. You should be ok doing the two, but listen to your body it will tell you better advise than anyone on here
  • KimMc60
    KimMc60 Posts: 112 Member
    I think I figured out what I'm gonna do, depending on how I feel in month two. Thanks so much for your input everyone! :)
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    When I was training for the Mudder I was doing CrossFit 3-4 times a week and running 2-3 times a week. On the days that I ran and did Crossfit, I just made the run a little bit lighter. I didn't double up often though and I made sure to have a rest day or two per week.

    I had to run because I wasn't much of a runner before and I never ran outside. CrossFit did help me a lot - my first time out I did a clean 5k - but I still needed to practice. I didn't feel it was too much and it did help me find a good rhythm for my run. I added the running in the last two months before the race and it very clearly accelerated some body fat loss.
  • cfredz
    cfredz Posts: 292 Member
    Insanity in the morning and running in the evening would be my choice. I did Insanity and it was challenging but not horrible, plus the actual work out is only 20-30 mins and not everyday is cardio. When you start it just look at the calendar, and work your running around your cardio days. You should be ok doing the two, but listen to your body it will tell you better advise than anyone on here

    im doing insanity & everyday feels like cardio to me?
  • mitchyinge
    mitchyinge Posts: 196
    I did insanity and running (and yoga and spin and horse riding and ski lessons) earlier this year and the best advice I had was to choose One Thing and make it a priority, so I chose running and my life became fabulous (my knees were thankful for it anyway, insanity was hard on them)
  • KimMc60
    KimMc60 Posts: 112 Member
    Thanks!
  • beeblebrox82
    beeblebrox82 Posts: 578 Member
    Insanity is really good for core, leg and aerobic fitness, it's a runners best friend IMO. I usual do insanity on cross training days or opposite shorter running days as I feel strong.
  • alikonda
    alikonda Posts: 2,358 Member
    I'm doing that now! I had trained up for and done a half marathon in November and registered for a 15k in January, but I knew I wanted to do another round of Insanity. So what I'm doing is a short, easy run 2-3 days a week before my Insanity workout, then replacing 1 workout a week (the day right after the recovery workout) with a long run. I still take my day off. I'm also not doing the fit tests, but that's more of a personal preference than much to do with my running plan. =P

    It's tiring, for sure, but my median run time has been improving since I started Insanity again.


    Good luck!

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