So, I have not posted in a bit. January kind of got away from me. My husband and I decided to try to buy some acreage which took a lot of research (on my part) and time. That fell through, thankfully because some other great things may be happening and if we had bought the property those great things wouldn’t/couldn’t happen. January is also my birthday month. Yay me, another year older and crazier?
I also started my personal training certificate. Let’s be honest, every minute that I can I spend studying. My goal is to pass the test by the end of February. So, it has not left much time for me to blog. I have also started working on my second Novella. Yep! You read that right; I am a Novella writer. AND, our weather has been pretty nice here in Spokane, WA so I’ve been getting outside and enjoying nature. AND I have been working on creating a new exercise format that incorporates strength and stretching for the average human (people that start out less flexible and that do not want to hear about heart center, third eye, and hold difficult to pronounce poses).
AND if all of that was not enough, I’ve signed up for my first Ultramarathon. I think I have some issues! HA. So, keep your eyes peeled for my posts on training tips for an Ultra.
With all that, I have not left myself a lot of time for blogging. Today, I am being naughty and writing while I wait for my quoting system to load (I’m also an insurance agent). So, this will have to be short and sweet.
But you may be wondering how yoga and stretching can benefit your running. I have briefly touched on it before, but in my experience when I do some form of yoga 3 times a week I do not hurt after long runs. My hips are not sore. My quads do not feel like solid rock. And my calves are strong (I run on my toes).
So why yoga?
Constantly using the same muscles over and over only works those muscles. They can fatigue, get sore, and feel overworked. If you are stretching them out and using alternative muscles, your body can do wonders! I talk about how after my 18-miler last year I did an 8-hour Kickboxing Training the next day. Yes, I was a little sore and didn’t kick as high on the kicks, but I made it through an 8-hour training without injury and then taught a yoga style class the day after that – man that felt good!
You know what I attribute to that? Yoga style classes. It was not like I ran a ton of miles before my race. I maxed out at 10 miles and it was not super hilly. But because of how much cross training and yoga I do, I am able to push my body to limits I did not know where possible. I notice I’m able to run faster for longer. Not that I am super fast. I am average paced.
The yoga strengthened my hips while stretching everything out. The form/style of yoga that I do has a big strengthening aspect to it. There are push-ups, squats, lots and lots of chaturangas (one of those hard to say words but it sounds cool!)
So, cross training – it does not have to be lifting heavy, high intensity, or anything crazy. One form of your cross training should be yoga! Just spend 30 minutes a few times a week doing some pushups, squats, core work, and stretching. Whatever your heart desires!
It gives those running muscles and joints a break. They need them.Get out there, try new things and then come back and tell me what you think of them!
If you ever want to see a specific blog topic, let me know!
Trail Running and Wellness 