Last sunday I did my first 10K for a very long time. It was the first 10K in 5 years without any pain or stiffness. That, my friends is a huge milestone for me !
I ignore my low pace and only focus on "feelgood" running. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/52724165
I still follow my plan and it is quite interesting...and I am surprised...the stronger I get (from my strenght program), the more flexible I get in my hips, hamstrings, gluteus, tractus and IT. I'm more flexible now than I was in my teens ! My conclusion so far from 5 years experince with tight and stiff gluteus, hamstrings, piriformis, tractus and IT-band is that stretching might not be enough to release the stiff muscles. It seems like a combination of balanced strenght training, stretching and low intensity training is the magic fix. I'm also convinced that the balanced strenght training can prevent us from injuries.
So here comes the poll of the week:
How many of you are doing any kind of preventive strenght training or cross-training in lieu of running ?
I ignore my low pace and only focus on "feelgood" running. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/52724165
I still follow my plan and it is quite interesting...and I am surprised...the stronger I get (from my strenght program), the more flexible I get in my hips, hamstrings, gluteus, tractus and IT. I'm more flexible now than I was in my teens ! My conclusion so far from 5 years experince with tight and stiff gluteus, hamstrings, piriformis, tractus and IT-band is that stretching might not be enough to release the stiff muscles. It seems like a combination of balanced strenght training, stretching and low intensity training is the magic fix. I'm also convinced that the balanced strenght training can prevent us from injuries.
So here comes the poll of the week:
How many of you are doing any kind of preventive strenght training or cross-training in lieu of running ?
Great to read this Mr W! So happy for you!
SvaraRaderaI don't do anything at all...a little bit of stretching but that is all. Actually Mr Legend and I talked about going to the gym 2011.
SvaraRaderaOh, my bad consience... a disatser when comes to me ! I have promised myself a lot of times to start up with strengh-training, anything will do, and I know that all of my body needs it, not primarely for my running, but to prevent all negative aspects of sitting on my as all the days, my back, my arms, my shoulders etc, etc...
SvaraRaderaCongrats... to your 10k run, it so nice to hear :-) .
Mr. W,
SvaraRaderaGood to read about your positive training results!
I am 100% in favor of adding strength training to the curriculum. Unfortunately, I am like Mr. Legend's comments above, with good intentions, but a poor track record of actually performing the exercises.
It wasn't my intention to give you bad conciense, I just burn so much for the topic !
SvaraRaderaI know from own experince how easy it is to ignore the preventive training. Now when I have found a good program and feel comfortable with it, it is not a burden for me anymore. I use only my own body weight, a matt and a large gym-ball (pilates type) and a soft small soccer size ball. I have extended the number of exercises to 14, but for you elite-runners the half might do. My 14 execrises takes me 60-80 minutes to do and I can do them in the living room watching the TV.
My point is - you don't need to go to the gym or engage in other time-consuming activities to do some preventive strenght training. It might be a burden the first times before you get used to it, thereafter it becomes a natural part of your total training program and once well established you can't stop because you feel the advantages it gives you. I believe it makes us better runner as well as prevent us from injuries. End of Speach :)