Due to a persistent peroneal tendon problem I cannot run very much, if at all. However, I can walk briskly without issues. I also have the option of aqua jogging. Which activity do you suppose offers the best bang for the buck?
Has anybody else faced a similar situation and if so, which option did you choose and how did it work out?
I’m going through some therapy to re-hab some knee and hamstring issues and have aqua-jogged 2-3 x / week (usually right after a swim workout as I’m already in the pool). I only do 30 minutes at a time and mix it up between just “jogging” and intervals / drills. I must say I really enjoy it. Mentally, it makes me feel like I’m running. It can be a pretty good workout if you work at it and just don’t lolly-gag around. I’m starting to run a bit and while I feel like I’ve lost some running fitness, I think it would be more had I not been aqua-jogging.
If you can walk without pain keep on walking, on bad weather days do the water jog.
I am having problems with my achilles and am using aqua jogging as rehab. It can be a good workout if you mix it up alittle, deep water jogging, shallow water jogging, lifting the knees, long striding. I do this first followed by a short swim, I’m not a tri-geek.
i went to deep water aqua jogging for a couple months last spring due to ITB issues… everyone made fun of me. if you can get past the jokes and get used to doing circles around the water aerobics seniors i think it’s worth it… i was able to pull off the same or even better running times than i previously had (but i have a limited running background and am not a running record setter by any means). i also increased my time on the bike. basically split my running time between the bike and aqua jogging. then i slipped in very easy running as i felt better.
EDIT: I should add that after all that and looking into running/training ‘smarter’ i am running my fastest times now. best of luck to you!
About 4 years ago now, a friend of mine kept having back problems (later diagnosed as bone issues and multiple crushing stress fractures in her back…ouch) and therefore did virutally ALL her marathon training as aqua jogging. She’d run once a week easy to make sure her shoes fitted 
Well, it paid off, because she won the womens open division with a 2:55 on a very cold super windy day!!
She is now in forced retirement thanks to her back. 
I did deep water jogging for a 6 weeks after a hip injury. I think it helped with my recovery and I did not notice any loss of fitness.
I did one hour deep h2o jogging 3x a week on my swim days because I was at the pool anyway. Like someone posted work hard at it. You could get a good workout in 30min…It’s kinda boring but worth it.
Get into race walking, then qualify for the olympics in 2016.
Aqua running hard >>> walking
The hardest part is the mental fortutude to do it day after day for weeks. If u thought the tm or trainer was bad, wait till u try water running. Mental pain on a whole nother level.
It is awesome for hip flexors though- i am starting to incorporate all out intervals in my regimen though i can run perfectly fine - i do tend to run hard enough to risk strains in my current lower vol run phase.
For the past six months I’ve been working on achilles therapy - I could walk without pain so started to walk with a back pack - gradually built up the back pack weight to 40 pounds and gradually started to run/walk one minute on one off - and over the six months built up to ten on two off with a 30 pound pack - still cautious with the achilles but hoping to do a pr in the half marathon this weekend. … never did get around to aqua therapy although I was in the pool -2-3 times a week.
The weighted back pack puts strain on calves hips, thighs and forces a proper forward lean - with controlled stress on the achilles - so far I’ve been very pleased - if not patient - after running with a 30 pound pack - running with a 2 litre camel back is a breeze.
Cheers,
Dan
The training studies out there support the idea that a deep water running program works well enough to maintain running on land fitness.
It seems that incorporating higher intensity intervals is a good idea … as long as your injury can tolerate it.
Good luck.
Walking can be a great form of low-impact exercise. But it’s not really helping your training much. Pool running is going to maintain your run fitness. I’ve come off of pool stints and run better than when I went in, from time to time. Good stuff, if you do it right. I recommend Pfitz’s plan. http://www.pfitzinger.com/labreports/water.shtml
I have a bad ITBS case and can only run for 35-40min before pain sets in, so i run outside for 30min and then aqua jog for another 30min, i would say it is quite impressive. You are able to mimic the running movement without the impact and a decent aerobic workout as well. I would buy the special shoes as it makes it much easier (assuming you are in a shallow pool).