Yoga for runners

Having read Matt Fitzgerald's book 'the mind-body method of running by feel,' I've been inspired to try yoga again to strength train.  Strength training has never been my strong point.  It is something I just never seem to find time for, or when I do I only manage to maintain it for a couple of weeks.  That is true whether it's a circuit training session at home (I recently tried the Outdoor Fitness magazine's daily dozen), a strength training class or a gym session.  But with 44 miles ahead of me in June, I think I need to seriously consider building my strength, particularly around my hamstrings as for the last year I've suffered on and off with what my sports massage therapist thinks is hamstring tendinitis.  I've had great fun sitting on ice packs!

The question is can I commit to regularly doing yoga, something I have previously tried off and on, but perhaps never done enough for it to really make a difference to my running, for example my husband and I have tried out a 30 minute Vinyasa flow routine, it is certainly a good workout.  While working overseas I also took 'The Little Yoga Book,' by Erika Dillman with me, it has some great workouts focused on different sports including running.  

So my plan is to find a local class, convince Gary (my husband) to come along with me, and perhaps between the two of us we can stay committed.  Apparently 3 sessions a week is the ideal strength training, so a class and two sessions at home.  I'll keep you updated on progress!

Getting started

In the euphoria of completing the Pays D'Aix 70.3 Ironman my husband (Gary) some how managed to persuade me that we should do the Lizard to Lands End 44 mile coastal trail ultra marathon this year.  Ok I couldn't really say no, when he'd previously casually mentioned completing a 100 mile marathon I'd always said that would be fun, never actually allowing myself to be pinned down to anything.  But this time he's managed it, we're signed up and D-day is 23rd June this year.

So I've set up this blog to share my training pain.  They say a problem shared is a problem halved, I'm hoping that's the same for training.  So far it hasn't been easy, we touched 19 miles on our long run this weekend, believe me getting to 19 miles hasn't been easy, I've had a couple of really grouchy long runs.  By that I mean I've had the normal aches and pains, but instead of embracing them I've been grumpy about them.  I'm also suffering from an ankle that keeps on swelling each time I do a road run.  With 7 months to go I hope I manage to turn the positivity on, embrace the challenge and most importantly of all smile and enjoy each training mile and each race mile.

To help with the enjoyment this weekend we're off to take part in the CTS Endurance Life Dorset half marathon - I'm looking forward to the coastal views and only 14.6 miles!