Why Choosing Between Sports is BS (and What Actually Works)

I'm staring at my workout log at 6:47 AM, coffee getting cold, trying to decide if I should do the CrossFit Open workout or stick to my marathon training plan. Again.

Sound familiar?

If you've ever felt torn between your "main sport" and CrossFit, you've probably heard the advice: pick one and commit. Choose your priority. You can't serve two masters.

But here's the thing... I think that's bullshit.

The Problem with the "Priority" Mindset

Look, I get where this advice comes from. The traditional sports model says you need 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to master anything. Elite CrossFit athletes train 6+ hours daily. Marathon world record holders run 140+ miles per week.

But most of us aren't trying to win the CrossFit Games or qualify for the Olympics (though props if you are). We're trying to stay competitive in our local running club while also not embarrassing ourselves during Open season. We want to keep our tennis game sharp AND be able to do a decent Fran time.

The "pick one" mentality assumes that energy and adaptation are zero-sum games. That improving at CrossFit automatically makes you worse at your sport. But our bodies are way more adaptable than that, especially if we're strategic about it.

Enter: Seasonal Dominance

Instead of picking one sport forever, what if we picked one sport for now?

I call this seasonal dominance - consciously choosing which athletic pursuit gets 70-80% of your energy for a specific time period, while maintaining the other at a competency level.

This isn't revolutionary. Pro athletes do this all the time with off-season training. But somehow we recreational athletes think we need to choose sides for life.

The 70/20/10 Framework

Here's how I've been structuring my year (and yes, I'm still figuring this out):

70% - Your dominant sport for that season 20% - Your secondary pursuit (maintenance mode) 10% - Recovery, mobility, life stuff

During marathon training blocks (typically 16 weeks), running gets my 70%. CrossFit drops to 2x per week focusing on strength and movement quality. During Open season, it flips.

But here's the key - I'm not trying to PR my marathon AND my CrossFit total in the same month. That's madness.

The Mental Game is Different

One thing the original article nailed: the mental skills transfer between sports. That ability to push through pain, to execute under pressure, to stay composed when things get ugly - that's pure gold.

But there's something else... the mental challenge of managing multiple athletic identities.

I used to think I was "cheating" on my running by doing CrossFit. Like I wasn't a "real" runner anymore. Anyone else feel this way? The fitness community can be weird about loyalty sometimes.

Here's what helped me: reframing myself as an "athlete" first, not a "runner" or "CrossFitter." My identity isn't tied to one sport - it's tied to the pursuit of physical and mental challenge.

Practical Stuff That Actually Works

1. Plan Your Seasons Like a Pro

Map out your year. When are the races/competitions that matter most to you? Work backwards from there.

My 2024 looks something like:

• Jan-Mar: CrossFit focus (Open season)
• Apr-Jun: Running focus (spring races)
• Jul-Sep: CrossFit focus (summer competitions)
• Oct-Dec: Running focus (fall marathon)

2. Embrace "Good Enough" Training

When something is in maintenance mode, "good enough" training is actually... good enough.

During running-focused blocks, my CrossFit programming is boring as hell: basic strength movements, short metcons, skill work. No fancy programming. Just maintain what I've built.

3. Use Your Off-Sport for Recovery

This might be counterintuitive, but sometimes your "secondary" sport can actually help recovery from your primary sport.

Easy CrossFit sessions with different movement patterns can help break up the repetitive stress of high-mileage running weeks. Light running can serve as active recovery between brutal CrossFit sessions.

4. Track Energy, Not Just Performance

Start paying attention to your energy levels, not just your splits or scores. Some weeks, even if your training plan says "go hard," your body might need maintenance mode.

I keep a simple 1-10 energy rating in my log. If I'm consistently below 6, something needs to adjust.

The Stuff Nobody Talks About

Identity shifts are hard. Going from being "pretty good" at one thing to "mediocre" at two things can mess with your head. Especially if you were a former competitive athlete.

Your friends might not get it. Running friends think you're crazy for doing CrossFit. CrossFit friends thinks you're not committed enough. It's lonely sometimes.

You'll have FOMO constantly. Missing that group run because you're doing Open workouts. Skipping that competition because you're training for a race. It's part of the deal.

But here's what I've learned: the variety keeps me engaged longer than obsessing over one thing ever did.

Real Talk: When This Doesn't Work

This approach isn't for everyone. If you're:

• Genuinely trying to turn pro in something
• Have limited time (less than 6-8 hours per week total)
• Prone to overtraining
• Can't handle not being the "best" in your group

...then yeah, maybe pick one thing and go deep.

But for most of us dealing with jobs, families, and the desire to stay athletic into our 40s and beyond? I think there's a better way than choosing sides.

Your Turn

I'm curious - have you tried balancing multiple sports? What worked? What was a disaster?

And here's a question I'm still wrestling with: How do you measure success when you're intentionally not maximizing any one thing?

Is it finishing a marathon AND qualifying for CrossFit Regionals in the same year? Is it just... enjoying the process more? Still figuring this out.

Drop a comment if you've got thoughts. Or if you want to commiserate about 6 AM workout decisions while your coffee gets cold.

Currently 8 weeks into marathon training and still doing the CrossFit Open because apparently I never learn. Send help (or coffee).