Monday, October 29, 2018
Embrace the hills running friends!
I know many people who get excited when a 5k is on a flat surface. "No hills!" they shout with excitement! I am not one of those people. Yes, the hills are difficult but I will tell you why I prefer them to a flat surface. One, gravity. On a flat surface your momentum alone propels you forward. That's great but for me, boring. I enjoy the push of making my way up hill and then the reward of gravity allowing me a quick reprieve on the downhill. It's like running through the ribbon at the end of the race. I made it up, now I get a down, WooHoo!! Two, muscle development. You use different muscles going up hill than down hill and even different ones to run on a flat surface. This adds a strength building element into your cardio. Utilizing all those muscles on a varied running surface also means more calories burned. Your heart has to pump harder when running up a hill which again means more calories burned and let's face it, isn't that why we are running to begin with??? So the next time you run on a hilly path, don't dread it, embrace it! And know you are getting a better workout....and tighter ass;)
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Let's Begin Again
I know I haven't posted in awhile. I have been going through some things and had to take a break from working on my physical health and spend some time working on my mental health, but I'M BACK! So, I started running again this week and it was like I have never ran before. Crazy how in such a little amount of time I lost all my stamina! I ran through my head all the mistakes I made the first time I tried running and hated it and I wanted to share some of those to help others not make the same mistakes.
1. Don't expect to run! When you are starting out, it isn't about speed! Shoot for a steady pace jog that you can keep to throughout the entire run. Many people (myself included) begin thinking they are going to run like they are being chased with a knife and end up so sore the next day that you vow never to do it again. You can increase speed with time but be patient, it's not a race (ha,ha,ha). Today I ran a for 2 1/2 miles and my speed was 12-13 min miles...and I am proud of that. Why?? BECAUSE I DID IT.
2. Keep your stride short. Think baby steps. If you try leaping like a deer, you will strain your hip flexors and increase the probability of shin splints and plantar fasciitis and trust me, those are not pretty!!!
3. Don't expect to go from couch to 5k in a day...or even a week! Begin with a mile or two. Remember, your body needs time to adjust to this new form of torture and if you want it to cooperate, take it slow. You can go a little farther with each run if you want but just like going too fast right out of the gate if you go for too long, you will burn out and quit.
4. STRETCH!!. I can't stress this enough. AFTER your run, when your muscles are warm, stretch your hip flexors, calfs, quads, hamstrings and ankles. They will work hard for you if you take care of them.
People say they can't run but mostly they just don't know how. Anyone who wants to can be a runner. Be smart and try to enjoy it! (That comes with time too;) )
1. Don't expect to run! When you are starting out, it isn't about speed! Shoot for a steady pace jog that you can keep to throughout the entire run. Many people (myself included) begin thinking they are going to run like they are being chased with a knife and end up so sore the next day that you vow never to do it again. You can increase speed with time but be patient, it's not a race (ha,ha,ha). Today I ran a for 2 1/2 miles and my speed was 12-13 min miles...and I am proud of that. Why?? BECAUSE I DID IT.
2. Keep your stride short. Think baby steps. If you try leaping like a deer, you will strain your hip flexors and increase the probability of shin splints and plantar fasciitis and trust me, those are not pretty!!!
3. Don't expect to go from couch to 5k in a day...or even a week! Begin with a mile or two. Remember, your body needs time to adjust to this new form of torture and if you want it to cooperate, take it slow. You can go a little farther with each run if you want but just like going too fast right out of the gate if you go for too long, you will burn out and quit.
4. STRETCH!!. I can't stress this enough. AFTER your run, when your muscles are warm, stretch your hip flexors, calfs, quads, hamstrings and ankles. They will work hard for you if you take care of them.
People say they can't run but mostly they just don't know how. Anyone who wants to can be a runner. Be smart and try to enjoy it! (That comes with time too;) )
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)