Non-Running Aspects of Training: Part 3

Recently, I tried out two running supplements: pilates and yoga. My apartment complex hosted a "preview week" for fitness classes offered by a company called N2SHAPE. I chose to preview the two that I thought could best supplement my running. (The others were cardio-based, like Zumba and kickboxing.) I saw benefits to each practice, but by far yoga was my favorite.

The pilates class that I took focused on form more than performing the moves - which, for a first class, was actually quite good for me. The instructor, Tatyana, walked around to each student and positioned us into the right spots if we were off kilter. I understood the importance of keeping your bottom wrapped and tucked for different moves and always engaging the core. Personally, I learned that I keep my shoulders too tight, but I am good at pressing my back close to the ground. As for the class itself, I did not come away feeling strengthened, relaxed, or loosened. I learned a little bit but did not feel that my running benefited too much from the class.

I had a very different experience in my yoga class. The yoga instructor, Beth, is quite popular; she hosts sunrise yoga in the Crystal City water park, and she had a large class. I could tell that many were there just to get instruction from her. In the class, form was important, but the moves were performed and shown in a good succession. She would demonstrate the moves and then encourage us to perform them on our own. She taught a lot of fluid movements - the vinyasas that Sarah recommended - and my body did better at them than the static movements. The motions didn't fatigue me, and they stretched areas that I hadn't thought to focus on. Quite a few of the movements focused on the hip flexors, which for runners can get very tight. The only negative of the session was that for some of the poses, my left quad couldn't stop shaking. I think this meant that it was fatigued. However, when I did my morning run the next day, it felt great - even better than on the run prior. I wouldn't do this yoga every day, but I may very well sign up for the once-a-week class with Beth.

I wanted to comment on some of the advice you have given me for my non-running training - thank you to all who have done so. I am always open to advice, so please continue to post if you think of something!

Sarah - The yoga session was great. Thank you for the comment on the vinyasas. I also liked the triangle exercise - it really helps to give a complete stretch in areas I don't always address. I also appreciate your coach's advice. I am definitely running and sticking to my plan, but I want to maximize everything and make sure I am 100% ready on race day. No, I am not a naturally gifted runner, so I will still have to stick to a good diet and lift weights!

CJ - Thank you for the advice on ice baths. I can't do them at 50 degree water temperature, but I think I can dunk my legs into the pool as an alternative. On 90 degree days, this will probably even be a relief. I tried this out about a week and a half ago, and it helped with my recovery the day after.

Megan - I am comforted to hear that sticking to the training plan works. I sometimes wonder if I should run more or even less, but knowing that the plan brings you success on race day is something I will have to trust. My challenge this past week and a half was dealing with being sick, but I was able to make up the one run I missed and not feel fatigued.

9 Mile Run - Saturday 6/11

This is going to be a short post, because my doctor cleared me to go to the beach this weekend and I have to try and beat at least some of the traffic.

The best part about this week's 9 miler is that I did it! My doctor told me to go ahead and run, but I couldn't do it at high intensity - so, there went my 15K at race pace. I went a normal out-and-back run - starting at my apartment and running to the back side of the Lincoln Memorial and then back.

Everything about this week's run felt a little off, because I am still sick and am medicated. Thanks to the lovely post-nasal drip (which is about 80% better than earlier this week but still enough to interfere with running), my lungs weren't enjoying today's run as much as normal. Yesterday, I took some Mucinex before bed, and it didn't go down well so I felt like I was going to throw up for part of the run. I took a Cepacol before running, so for the first two miles my throat was numb. That was actually a good feeling. However, when I had to drink my Powerade at scheduled intervals, the taste of Cepacol plus Powerade was just awful - and one I hope to never have to experience again. At least I know that I am on antibiotics now and it will hopefully be a while before I do a long run with this much medicine in me.

I will look back on today's run come marathon day as a time when I persevered despite everything going against me. I didn't go all out in today's run, but I did finish it - and that's what matters.

Non-Running Aspects of Training: Part 2

Thank you so much to all of my friends and family who posted advice on activities to supplement running. As promised, below is what I have been doing for the past few months.

Friday (cross-training day): 20 minutes easy on the elliptical

After each run/workout: Pushups, backwards (triceps) pushups, abs series, leg pushups, light stretching inbetween

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after workout: Lower body weight training, including light weight series (15 lbs) and leg press (200 lbs)

Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday after workout: Upper body training, including light weight series (10 lbs) and chest press (40 lbs)

Monday evening: Extra 20 minute ab routine - available for free on Hulu at http://www.hulu.com/watch/35665/six-pack-abs-incredible-abs

Thursday evening: Extra 10 minute ab routine - I choose one of the free ones available on Hulu at http://www.hulu.com/six-pack-abs or set a timer for 10 minutes

Future posts in the Non-Running series will include:
1. Demonstrations of some of the above exercises and series, especially some of my favorites like the leg pushup
2. My feedback on your suggestions and how they worked for me
3. Nutrition and some of my favorite meals that have helped my running and recovery
4. Anything else you think I should write about?

Non-Running Aspects of Training: Part 1

I think today might have been one of my lucky days. I got home this evening, and there was a masseuse giving people free chair massages in the lobby! The business, Crystal City Chiropractic, was promoting its massage services. I decided to sign up for one, in no small part because it can help me in my race training.

Today's events inspired me to post about an aspect of training that I have not yet discussed. Preparing for a marathon is not all about the running. I am doing my best to take a holistic approach to my training. One of these items is getting a massage every now and then - right now, it's every couple of months and/or a week before a big race.

Before I detail more non-running aspects of my training, I am asking for your feedback. What non-running activities do you think that I should incorporate into my marathon training to make me a stronger runner? For the most part, I have been following the same plan for the past few months, so any new advice is greatly appreciated. I have 5 months to go until race day, so this is the perfect time to experiment with all aspects of my training.

After I receive a good amount of feedback, I will list out the non-running training that I have been doing for the past couple of months. I will also detail plans for adding on new aspects and provide acknowledgement to those who recommend it.

Oh - and I will also post my running training plan at some point. I just realized that I have yet to do so.

Ready... set... comment!