Yoga for Runners

I have been going to Yoga at my gym for about two months now.  I feel like it a good balance to running.  I still can't believe how tough it is!  I can only make one class a week, but when I wake up the next day boy can I feel it....I love that feeling! 

I was so excited when my January issue of Runners World came.  As I flipped through it, there it was--an article about why Yoga is great for runners.  The article told runners that Yoga is great for strength training and flexibility.  The article listed some tips for runners who are new to Yoga. Take it slow!  Just as in running, don't expect to be a pro your first time out.  Take it slow--don't push yourself to avoid your risk of injury.  Try out different styles of Yoga and different instructors to see which is right for you.  

My Yoga class yesterday was tough.  I think the hardest part for me is how tired my wrists gets from holding Downward Dog.  The instructor took that pose a little farther by transitioning into something called Wild Thing.  Basically, you starting in Down Dog, lift one leg and let it fall over the other, landing with your tummy toward the sky, like a one armed bridge.  I was to scared to try it during class--I was not sure I could catch myself on my other leg.  I tried it when I got home--a place I would not be embarrassed if I fell.  I did it!  I could do the move just fine.  Next week when we do it in class I will do it with everyone else.  I still love Pigeon pose the best, and do it after each run!  The stretch feels soooo good on my tight hips.  

Do you do Yoga to complement your running?  Do you think it helps?

A dream is a wish...

--Amy

Amish Paradise

Here is an article from last month’s Runner’s World magazine I wanted to share with you.  The article is about Amish runners.  Since I live in South Central Pennsylvania, just outside of Amish country, I found this article particularly interesting.   

Before I read this article, I had no idea there was such thing as Amish runners.  I used to see Amish every day, even riding the school bus with them for a time.  The Amish, as part of their religion, shun modern conveniences.  They do not have electricity in their homes.  They do not own cars or tractors.  They work their fields by hand and ride in horse drawn carriages.    The idea of them being great runners makes total sense to me.  Running requires lots of hard work and dedication.  Those are traits most Amish people have.

What did you think of the article? 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

No More Long Runs?

There was a very interesting article in Runner’s World Magazine this month that I wanted to share with you.  It questions whether long runs are really necessary.  The author lays out a plan that basically includes a lot of sprinting and lifting crazy heavy weights in place of the traditional long run.  

I saw this article and thought I was very timely for where we are in our Princess Half training.  Most of us are at or near the longest of our long runs.  These runs can be up to 14 miles.  Mentally, this seems like a huge mountain to conquer.  Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to skip those really long runs but still be able to perform well on race day? I bet you are thinking—wait, don’t I need my long runs to build my base?  The author says no.  She says that the cardio conditioning that comes from a large number of sprints builds endurance faster than long runs.  To build muscle, she tells readers to do lots and lots of heavy strength training.  There are no easy runs or recovery days with this plan.  It is intense, but the author promises fast results. 

For now, I will stick to my long runs. This plan may be to intense for where I am right now, being relatively new to running.  Once I can run a whole 5k and hopefully longer, I may give this plan a try.   What do you think of it?  Is this plan for you? 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

***Pleasecheck out my Bondi Band sale!  All proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  

Meeting Your New Year’s Running Goals

I came across an article in Runner’s World Magazine that I wanted to share with you.  It is all about how to make your New Year’s running goals become a reality.  Lots of the goals discussed pertain to me.  Here are the ones I really like.

Race farther—for me, I would like to increase the distance I run at straight without stopping for a walk break.  I am happy with 13.1 being my top mileage this year, but running more of it is my goal for this year. 

Lose 10 pounds for good—in my case, it would be losing more than 10 pounds.  I thought that with running, losing weight would be easy.  I love how I feel after a run, but it makes me hungrier.  To fight that, I try to run late in the evenings so I am not so hungry all day.  This article offers some good weight loss tips too. 

Get a new PR—5k’s are my most run distance.  It is the distance that I have raced most and it is the distance that I run during my Tuesday/Thursday maintenance runs.  On the treadmill, I have run a 5k in 37 minutes.  During the Turkey Trot, my 5k PR is 38 minutes.  In 2012, I would like to bring my 5k time under 35 minutes in a race.  One day, I would like to run a 5k in under 30 minutes.

Try “real” trail running—I run quite a bit on my local rail trail, which I call trail running.  In truth, this is probably not real trail running.  My trail is gravel.  I would like to try running on an actual dirt trail.  I love running outside, but hitting my same old trial is easy.  This year, I want to run on a real trail.

These are my running goals for 2012.  What are yours? What did you think of this article? 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy 

New Year's Reads

Do you read self-improvement books?  I have never been much of a reader, but this New Year, I plan to read a few self-improvement books.  I am going to start with PUSH by Chalene Johnson and Run Your Butt Off by the editors at Runner’s World Magazine.  I have never read a self-help book, so I really don’t know what to expect.  Here is a bit about the books I am going to read: 

Run Your Butt Off!: A Breakthrough Plan to Lose Weightand Start Running   When I first found this book, I thought—perfect, my two goals combined into one book—losing weight and becoming a better runner.  The books description on Amazon is:

 “Shed unwanted pounds and keep them off ONCE AND FOR ALL with Run Your Butt Off!, a back-to-basics, test panel–approved weight-loss plan and beginners’ running program that yields sustainable, healthy results. The Run Your Butt Off! program is founded on the simple concept that in order to lose weight, calories burned must exceed calories consumed. No gimmicks, no shortcuts, no silver bullets can circumvent that reality. With this program, you’ll learn to burn fat from both sides of the weight-loss equation—the calories in and the calories out—at the same time. Run Your Butt Off! will make you fitter, stronger , and leaner.”  

Doesn't all this sound great!  My book review and results will surely come soon. 

PUSH: 30 Days to Turbocharged Habits, a Bangin' Body, andthe Life You Deserve!   You all know of my love for Chalene Johnson.  I love her workout DVD’s (Turbo Jam, Turbo Fire and Chalean Extreme), her live workouts (Piyo, Turbo Kick and Hip Hop Hustle) her clothing line and now I get to check out her book.  She is my mentor.  Chalene has already helped me so much.  I have lost over 50 pounds doing her workouts and I can’t wait to see how her book helps me. I hope one day to become an instructor of her workouts.  The Amazon description of PUSH is:

 “Fitness superstar Chalene Johnson creates a revolutionary 30-day system that will allow readers to transform their bodies, their diets, and their lives!”  “Chalene gives readers the life-changing tools they need to change their habits with 30 days of practical steps that include pinpointing goals, reverse engineering a course of action to achieve them, and kicking the clutter—whether that means junk food, draining exercise regimens, or toxic relationships. In one month, readers will learn how to create layers of accountability so that success is their only option.’’ 

This book was released today and I should get it any day now from Amazon.  Getting this book has me so psyched about the New Year and the next year of my life!  Again, review to come.

Have read any of these books?  Do you read self-improvement books?  Which ones do you recommend?

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

Tune-Up Time

My new “Runner’s World” magazine came in the mail, and like always, I was very eager to read it.  I found one article especially interesting and I wanted to share it with you.  When I was just starting out on my running journey, I got the advice that I should enter a few local practice races—to get the feel of racing and fine tune things like pace, nutrition, and hydration. So far, I have done a few 5k’s, a 7 miler and a 10 miler.  I found these experiences very helpful in my journey.   I know have a feel for how races are run, what nutrition works best for me, and how much water in need. 

As I am about to start my formal training plan for the Disney Princess Half Marathon, I have been looking into finding local races that will fit into my training plans as long runs.  A will admit, long run days are not my favorite because the long run can become tedious and boring.  Turning my long run into a race, keeps it exciting while still getting my training time in.  So far, I have a 5k, a 5 miler and a 15k all schedule in place of my usual long run.  Check out my races on the right.

Have you ever used this plan?  Do you have any local races planned as practice races?  Do you recommend any to me in the Maryland/Southern Pennsylvania area? 

A dream is a wish…

--Amy

Here is a link to the article

What do you eat before and after a run?

As my runs get longer, I have been looking harder at what I eat and drink before and after a run.   I have to eat something before I work out in the morning.  That something is usually a packet of oatmeal.  I cannot eat much more or I feel sick during the run.  If I run in the afternoon, I usually eat a Luna bar before my run.  I cannot eat dinner before a run.  Depending on the time in the evening, I eat dinner after my run or I wait till several hours after dinner and do a late run.  I find fruit and almonds a great post run snack. 

I have been just beginning to try out different during race fuels and electrolytes.  I found this article very helpful.  Finding a perfect balance of before and during run fuel feels like an art form I am just starting to figure out. 

 Check out this article!

What do you eat and drink before a run?  How about during?  And after? 

--A dream is a wish….

Amy

One more day to enter my Sweaty Band giveaway!  Good luck!

Are you a Fastinista?

According to the August 2011 Runner’s World Magazine, a fastinista is women who likes to look stylish when she runs.  They are quick to point out the being a fastinista is not about speed, but a state of mind.  There has been a huge shift in the past few years about what female runners wear when they run. 

No more do women runners wear an old cotton tee and baggy sweats to run in.   Women runners can now choose from an endless array of stylish outfits to run in.  The new trend is running skirts.  This has been a hot topic on a few of the Facebook pages I belong to recently.  Many running skirts offer compression shorts underneath so they are just as comfortable as shorts, but so much cuter!   Another trend is knee socks.  Women runners wear brightly colored and patterned knee socks with shorts or running skirts.  Similar is knee socks are arm warmers, again in bright colors and patterns.   Tech material shirts and tanks with cute sayings are hot right now too.  

These new options give women runners the ability to get dresses in the morning and go about their day.  You can take the kids to school, run errands, grocery shop, walk the dog and get your run in all without changing your clothes.  These new clothing options give women runners the ability to look good around town and on their run.

It’s not about looking matchie matchie, it’s about being yourself and getting noticed!  Fastinista like to look hot!  Looking hot makes people notice you, and getting noticed makes you work harder.  Bring on the PRs.

I have attached a really cool video from Runner’s World.com farther discussing clothing trends for women runners.   Check it out! 

http://www.runnersworld.com/video?bcpid=780508499001&bctid=1032395172001

Here is a link to the article:

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7120,s6-240-320--14026-0,00.html

Are you a Fastinista?  What do you wear when you run?  Have you tried any of these running trends?

A dream is a wish your heart makes….

--Amy

I will be doing a giveaway very soon featuring one of the products seen in the above video.  Stay tuned! 

Runner's World Magizine

A few days ago I got my very first issue of Runners World.  When I first ordered the subscription I did not know what to expect, but for ten bucks for ten issues, there was little to lose.  When I opened up the magazine and started reading, I was very pleasantly surprised.  Most of the magazine is so timely for me, and I bet many of you too.

First off, the August issue is the Half Marathon Special.  There is a whole section on training for your first half marathon….what to expect, how to train, are you ready.  They also include a training guide. The issue also has a guide to stylish running wear.  Most of us, including me, like to look cute when we run and this article really helps with that.  They even review a few running skirts, something I have been researching lately.  A funny part of this issue discusses things that other runners do that make us nuts.  If you remember my review of the BWC a few weeks ago, there was a runner right in front of me that keep spitting and it totally grossed me out!  This is one of the topics discussed in the article. 

I am so glad I ordered this magazine.  I plan to link and discuss in more detail a few of the really great articles this week.  Do you read Runner World?  Do you recommend any other running/fitness magazines? 

As a thank you for reading, I am giving away a Power bar sample pack to one of my followers.  All you have to do is comment below with your favorite training tip by 9 PM Sunday and I will randomly draw a winner.  I will comment below who the winner is. 

I have some great giveaways line up for the next few weeks!  Stay tuned!

A dream is a wish your heart makes......

--Amy
Disney Princess Half Marathon registration is open!  I am registered!  Are you?