I have to admit that I'm a little bored with my training right now. The weather is warming up a little, but the roads are still a gamble at times. So, for the most part, I'm still trucking it out on my treadmill. I did get one 4 mile run outside last week, and my hamstrings weren't super happy with me. But I expected that. It takes a few runs for them to get back in shape.
In the mean time, I've been adding some cross training into my routine. I mentioned how I've started doing Yoga for Runners on my rest days. I really think that's been helping with my flexibility. Except yesterday I started suffering from some strange tightness in my sciatica/upper glut. I ran this morning, which made it feel better for about 30 minutes and then went right back to feeling tight. Who knows what's going on there.
I read a brief article (from where exactly is escaping me at the moment) about core strength being important when running a marathon. When you hit that wall after XX miles, core strength helps to at least keep you upright and in good form.
I started doing this 15 minute strength routine for runners from Nike. Not only does it include a bunch of core exercises (hello side planks, who knew you were so difficult!?), but it also has some hamstring/glut muscle and upper body exercises. It really only takes 15 minutes, and definitely kicks my butt.
I'm toying with the idea of signing up for RunnersConnect, after hearing a running friend sing it's praises. He was training for a marathon last fall, and shared some of the workouts they gave him with our running group. I wasn't able to make any of them due to
RunnersConnect has two different options: a custom training schedule for $40-50 a month, or personal training for $169.95 a month. Personal training is a bit out of my financial reach, but I'm thinking of doing the custom training schedule. They still provide feedback and support, and also offer tips on strength training, nutrition advice, and you have access to their chat forums to talk to other runners.
I've put together a training plan that seems good to me, but having never trained for a marathon before - what do I really know? If this service can help me be successful, then I think I'm willing to dish out the dough. I have a few months to decide, and until then I really don't even need to start officially "training". It's all (boring) maintenance miles until then.
Fingers crossed for an early spring!
What are you training for right now? Have you ever used a custom training service before?
Come see what the other bloggers are training for and talking about on Training for Tuesday!
I'm a huge proponent of running and yoga as a match made in heaven. A good yoga stretch is unmatched in how it makes me feel ready for a run/helps me recover afterward. (I link good yoga videos every Sunday if you want some new ones!) And yes to the core work too!
ReplyDeleteThat Runners Connect sounds great! A good support system is so crucial in tackling anything like this. Best of luck! Hope you come back each month and let us know how you're doing. Thanks for linking up!
Thanks! I definitely will now that training will actually start happening again!
DeleteIndeed! Here's to an early spring!
ReplyDeleteSo on the runner's connect issue, I'm thinking if you want to skip the cash, there should be other running groups in your town that could help you with this for less $. Most runners are so willing to help each other out (Heck! I've ran a few successful 1/2 marathons and I'd be happy to share with you what plan I followed) and then in terms of feed-back (maybe you already do this...) I like Daily Mile - the people on there are encouraging and it's a knowledgeable community. You even put in your running goals and people can give you feedback specifically. Just a thought! I've been running competitively all my life and one of the things that bugs me is how much money the running industry is gunning for now (cost of races/gear that is "essential"/clinics/gadgets you get what I mean! But not to say that Runner's Connect wouldn't be really helpful if it offers specifically what you're looking for.
Thanks for the tips! I'm pretty active in our running group, but it is very small and just started this past year. I live in a really small, teeny tiny town. I think I like more that they customize a plan for me, rather than me using a conglomeration of plans that I've found online. We'll see!
DeleteI have never run a marathon either, if I was going to I would totally do that runners connect thing - it sounds interesting. although it is a lot of money! i'm really bad with plans anyway, i rarely follow them. oops.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Kristen! I'm pretty good at following a plan, but I have to admit that for a full, I'm quite nervous creating my own plan. What if it's not right? What if I push myself too hard? Not enough? Get injured? I think that's why I like that they customize the plan according to you.
DeleteThis was such a great post! As I'm new to getting into running and just training for a 5k this was good to read to hear how important strengthening other parts of the body are too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Carly! Good luck with your 5k!
DeleteSo apparently Blogger was hungry yesterday because it ate my comment. That's fun.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely tell a difference when I slack on core work. I always thought people who said that were crazy, and then it happened to me. I need to get back into it, to be honest. I've been doing some lifting but nothing core specific. I've been thinking about reevaluating my lifting plan anyway, as I'm not sure the one I'm currently doing is helping me very much with running.
That Runners Connect thing sounds interesting, and if you have it in your budget, I say go for it. I've always wondered what it would be like to have a trainer or coach and have a customized training plan. I think it would be really beneficial, if for nothing else to have someone to bounce ideas and worries and whatever else off of. Can't wait to hear how you training progresses!
Thanks! This is actually the first year that I will be incorporating specific strength training into my training, so I'm excited to see if it really benefits!
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