Elliptical and Swim Goggle Questions

The elliptical cannot replace running, but it will provide good aerobic benefits.   I would not call it a substitute, but it is a good complement.    You can't do half your run workouts on the elliptical and expect to do great in the race.  

The goggles with the best seal have the rubber suction cup thingies around them.   Those almost never leak on me, but they are a little less comfortable.    If you are just swimming, there is no reason to wear contacts actually.  You really only need to see far enough to prevent hitting something.     

As mentioned above, you can use the elliptical for extra cardio training but it won't do much for your running.  If it's a choice between the elliptical or nothing, then definately use it.  (And I disagree with the above poster--a treadmill would be a much better option if it's available to you, though guessing it's not.)

All you need for goggles are ones that fit.  The type that works best varies from person-to-person--you may get lucky on your first try or you may have to try several pairs to find ones that work for you.  The goggles should be able to form a seal on your face without having to use the strap.  I wear my contacts all the time when I swim.  Can't see beans without them.

I do half my "running" (days) on the elliptical and do fine in races. For nearly the past three years I have run three times per week and hit the elliptical the other three days. I find it provides a decent surrogate without the impact. As a side benefit it gives me a great way to monitor and reinforce proper cadence.

Would I have benefited more from running six days a week? Possibly. Would the propensity for injury be greater? As I sit here sidelined at this moment, I have no doubts.

Have you tried aqua jogging?  My understanding is that this is a better low-impact running surrogate than the elliptical.  Just a thought. 

Sorry for the thread hijack.

Yes I have. Didn't find it to be as good a workout, and found it to be incredibly dull. At least on the ET I can watch TV or listen to the ipod.

I stand corrected!

I just know that before I started training I could do 30+ minutes on the elliptical easy. The first time I tried running I got 5 minutes max before dying. You still have to do a fair amount of actual running to be a good runner, so that was the point I was trying to make.

Like every other aspect of training, it's properly done with the principles of intensity and duration. If you  "could do 30+ minutes on the elliptical easy," then I would wager you had the resistance too low. When I'm on ET, I peg my cadence at 180, then adjust the resistance to maintain my HR in Zone 2. The cardio workout is the same as a run in Zone 2, the muscular movement is similar, only thing missing is the severity of the pushoff and the impact.