Happy Friday! Today I am sharing with you one of my new favorite workouts to mix up your summer run routine and 5 reasons why you should. In the summertime, I love to train for Triathlon races and that means “brick” workouts. Brick workouts are bike rides followed immediately by run workouts. Traditionally referred to as “bricks” because they are so challenging. Even if you are not training for a triathlon, brick workouts can be great to add to your summer training schedule. Here’s why:
- Many of us (guilty as charged) tend to train for and race longer distances throughout the year without giving our bodies much downtime or off seasons. Adding in brick workouts to your summer training plan allows you to give your body a break from from the stresses of longer runs while still keeping in shape with longer workouts.
- It’s hot & humid out there! Depending on where you live, doing long runs in the summertime can be brutal. Mixing up your routine by adding in some cycling intervals keeps you a little cooler out there. Even on really hot days, you feel a breeze on the bike.
- Doing brick workouts allow you to practice running on tired legs which is great training for any distance race.
- Alternating between running and biking allows you to use different muscles. Biking recruits more hamstring and glute muscles.
- Doing brick workouts just makes you feel a little badass. Badass and very hungry.
Instead of the traditional brick workout, I am currently loving doing brick repeats. I am doing shorter bike (5 miles) and run (1 mile) distances and repeating them which allows me to run on tired legs and also practice switching in and out of my running shoes quickly.
Tri this!
How do you mix up your summer training? Ready to give this Ton of Bricks workout a “Tri”?
Linking up with Cynthia, Courtney & Mar
And Nicole
I love this! I am limiting my running at the moment thanks to injuries so this is perfect!
Thanks it is a great way to do less running but still get an amazing workout. I have to tell you I am sore today after doing it yesterday. Let me know if you “tri it”
You know I don’t run anymore but this gives me an idea for switching up my own routine!
Oh great! I hope you find something fun to do let me know how it goes
After training for my first Tri (somewhat), I agree. The bike is much easier in the heat and humidity but great cardio nonetheless. Throw a run in the mix and you’ve got a great workout!
Thanks! I really enjoyed doing the shorter intervals in the heat yesterday
Great workout. I love these. I usually just do a 10 mile ride followed by 3 mile run. I kinda like the idea of splitting it up even more and going back and forth a couple of times. I might have to try this. I definitely work in more cycling during the summer. My knee has been bugging me a bit, so I’ve backed off on running miles and have been doing intervals and hill repeats on my bike. Nice change of pace….especially since we’re getting some unseasonably warm temps here in Indiana for the month of June!
I am definitely feeling it today and I kind of think it’s harder to switch back and forth. Let me know if you tri it!
This workout kinda makes me want to get a bike and give it a tri! 😉
OH yay! Let me know if you do
This sounds so tough! But it’s be fun to do around my park. And when I say fun… I don’t know if I mean it… haha
Yes fun!! Tri it 🙂
That definitely would be a good challenge to mix it up with. I think it’s important to mix it up over long stretches to keep it fresh, in addition to just getting better results. It’s often fun to do something you “havent done in forever” and that holds true for workouts I think.
Have a great weekend!
I agree! Especially over the summer when it’s so hot to run longer distances. Maybe I will see you at the 4th of July race in Reston?
I have never done a workout like this. I am the one that just trains for long distances. I don’t even have a bike just a Beach cruiser…haha.
It’s fun to mix it up sometimes especially when it’s hot. I think you would be surprised how challenging it is
I’ve never considered doing a brick as a non-triathlete. But maybe I should. Although I don’t have a road bike. Does that matter? I know very little about cycling. Haha.
No you absolutely do not have to be a triathlete to do this! It is a great workout. I think you could start with any bike or even use a stationery bike.
I never would have thought to do brick intervals! #genius The one du I have done nearly killed me (exaggeration) when I dismounted (after a hilly 20-mile ride) and had to run a mere 1.5 miles to the finish line. Of course, I hadn’t really trained properly, nor had I ever ridden that far non-stop…..but it still was a badass great time 😉
Definitely a badass good time! I do think you have to train for it as it really is so different.
I mix it up by getting back into swimming, although my swims are recovery swims — I just keep swimming and don’t push myself.
Swimming is great recovery isn’t it!
Oooph! This looks like a kick butt cardio workout!! Gotta try it!
You know it really is!
Some bike miles on a hot summer day sounds like a nice alternative to a long run! I haven’t been on a bike in forever…maybe I should re-think that 🙂
Yes it’s great to mix it up!
I like this option for a brick workout. I’ve been riding my bike more lately, and hope to continue that through the summer. Cross training is really nice when the weather is so hot, This month I’ve taken a break from my coached plan and I really needed the mental health break from a schedule. I’ll be ready in July, but it’s nice to have time off. I’m still doing plenty to stay active though.
I think we all need a break from routine sometimes it’s healthy
I love switching up biking and running! It breaks up the repetition and helps build different muscles.
I do too!
I did a few brick workouts during my marathon training, since I was so limited on my feet. It was awesome. And you remind me that I need to get back on the bike. I’ve got a bike ride coming up in a month!
OH yes that fun bike ride you mentioned!
This looks hard but I bet you feel awesome after!
It was really hard and yes I did feel great afterwards and very hungry 🙂
Great post! I totally agree – mixing things up is so good for your body and this looks like a killer workout!! I sold my road bike and just have a mountain bike now, but I would love to try this workout 🙂
It would be great to do while your feet are healing.
I should totally do this. Great workout! Such an accessible way to challenge your body.
It was a kick butt workout and I can’t wait to do it again next week
Great post and great timing! I was thinking about loading up my bike and heading to the C&O Canal tomorrow – I’ll have to try this. The fact that the trail is (somewhat) flat might help me survive it! 😉
I think you will love it! Let me know how it goes
I LOVE doing brick workouts like this! They are such a challenge, but so good to do 🙂
They are a great challenge
I finally learned my lesson and have been cross training ever since.
Yes me too! Also keeps things more interesting
What an amazing workout, I am def going to give this a try!
Oh great hope you enjoy it!
Wow you are so fit that is awesome. Do your teenagers enjoy training with you? I will never be that fit. I did go up and down 8 flights of stairs this morning. LOL I thought that was good till I read your post. I obviously have some work to do yet.
Kathleen
Bloggers Pit Stop
Ha ha no my kids have their own sports they do! I bet you are doing just great I love to mix it up so I don’t get bored.
We’ve been talking about maybe trying a tri… still working up the never for the swim part! Looks like a great workout even if I don’t convince myself to register!
The swim is my weakest of the 3 for sure. It is a great workout whether you are training for a tri or just want to mix it up
I’m so terrified of riding on the streets after someone I know got hit by a car while biking. But I’m definitely going to give brick workouts a try at the gym on my next cardio day!
I am afraid to ride on streets too but I do ride on the bike trail and then run there as well.
Hmm. Are you doing this outside or on an indoor bike?
Outside on the W & OD come do it with me!
I’ve never heard of a brick workout, but this sounds like an awesome way to change things up!
Thanks! It’s a challenging way to mix it up in the summer time
Summer is a great time to mix it up! I am looking forward to our Zooma summer challenge- It should be a fun mix up as well, something new!
Trying to decide if I should do the Zooma challenge or not
looks so easy…but I know it is not!!!
Maybe later on in the summer I will try this as I get into my tri training. Official training starts next week…eeek!
Good luck with your training. I think you would like this workout