Running in the Pool

Last week, I did something to my hip and running has been making it incredibly worse. It figures I would be injured only two weeks into my marathon training! So over the weekend I decided to head over to a friend's pool to try doing my long run in the water. I have never really done it before, so for the first half hour or so, I felt I was just tweaking my form. I jumped in the deep end with a flotation device around my waist and started running. I tried to keep my back straight and run how I normally would on land. It was so boring!!! I had planned to do two hours and if my friend hadn't sat on the side of the pool and talked to me, I don't think I would have lasted that long. That being said, if you can mix up the workout (add speed intervals, etc), have some music, or a friend with you, I really recommend pool running. It's a great way to keep your fitness level while injured. It can also be a great form of cross-training along with your regular running program, as well as a great way to cool off on a hot summer day.

Tips:
-Use a flotation belt. This will allow you to concentrate on your form rather than keeping your head above the water.

-Run in the deep end with the same form as you normally run on land. Keep a quick turnover with your feet and keep the elbows at the sides in a 90 degree angle. Your stride will be more up and down (like a cyclist) and that's normal.

-Include fartleks into your workout.

-Bring a friend with you!

Eat Your Water With These Foods

You know you're supposed to be drinking a lot of water each day. Especially if you're working out in the heat. In the fast-paced schedules we all keep, it's easy to forget to keep hydrating. Plain water can also become very boring. Below are some foods, listed in an article by Runner's World, that you can eat to help keep you hydrated. Not only are they a nice break from just water, but they taste great and are filled with nutrients to keep your muscles working hard.

Water + Electrolytes
Cantelope, Peaches, Strawberries

Water + Vitamin C
Watermelon, Kiwi, Citrus

Water + Cancer Defense
Tomatoes, Broccoli

 Water + Recovery
  Pineapple, Cherries

                                                          Water + Immunity
                                                           Yogurt, Kefir

                                                          Water + Digestion
                                                           Beans

Check the full article out here:http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-302--13967-2-1-2,00.html

Treadmill Pace = Outdoor Pace?

Today I decided to use the treadmill for the first time in about six months. It was just way too hot out this morning. I did a hard six miles and for some reason it felt harder than my outdoor runs. This probably has to do with the mental aspect...it was very boring! But, as I was running, I started wondering if the pace I was doing on the treadmill would be the same if I were running outside. I figured it wouldn't be, considering no wind resistance, etc. on the treadmill. So after doing some research, I found a handy pace conversion chart. I was running at 7.5 speed on the treadmill at a 0% incline (an 8 min. mile on the treadmill), so outdoors it would be the equivalent of an 8:20 mile. Check out the site...http://www.hillrunner.com/training/tmillchart.php

Playing in the Mud

 Over the weekend, I completed my first "mud run". It was organized by the National MS Society to raise money for MS. I have to admit I was a bit nervous beforehand. It was a 10k through woods and fields, with over 30 military obstacles. Picture sliding down muddy slopes into pits of muddy water, climbing over log walls, or rope swinging across more pits of muddy water. After climbing out of the first muddy obstacle, I was completely covered in thick mud and the first thought in my head was, "This is so much fun!". From that moment, until the finish line, I had a blast. It helped that I had a teammate running with me as well. We pushed each other on and definitely kicked butt throughout. I think that this was a wonderful mental break from regular running. Training can get so boring. This race wasn't about times or distance...it was purely about fun. I will definitely use this type of event periodically to give myself a "break". I suggest it to other runners out there as well. To learn more, go to http://www.theoriginalmudrun.com/.

Runners' Strength Training Workout

This workout consists of 7 different exercises designed to target key muscles for runners, including the quads, glutes, calves, hip flexors, and core muscles. Do the first 4 exercises for 30 seconds, the planks for 1 minute, and then 20 push-ups (You can do less or more, depending on level of fitness). I recommend doing 3 sets, 2-3 times per week (on non-consecutive days). It's probably best to save this workout for your non-run days. If you're a beginner you may want to take a 30 second break between each exercise, but the goal is to go from one exercise to the next without stopping until you've done them all. Then, take a 1 minute break and do the circuit again. Strength training is essential for runners. Do this workout to feel stronger, run faster, and have less injuries.

Strength Training Circuit
-Alternating Front Lunge - 30 sec.
-Calf Raises - 30 sec.
-Body Weight Squat - 30 sec.
-Alternating Side Lunge - 30 sec.
-Front Plank - 60 sec.
-Side Plank (each side) - 60 sec.
-Push-Ups -20 rep.