I get done with Palo Duro 50 Mile Ultramarathon last October burned out...totally torched. Second I decided in December to run Bataan Marathon Heavy...with pack. Those two things caused me to review my training. After completing Palo Duro, I vowed to get myself in better "OVERALL" shape. In November I changed my training regiment up. I needed a change...running 6 days a week with an occasional spin thrown in through the summer months just whipped me into submission.
I began attending 5:00 A.M. boot camps twice a week, working overall body and core. I also attended a strength/flex group exercise class every Monday evening. Throw in speed work, long runs and maybe a spin class every once in a while and I began to drop weight 7 lbs to be exact...and more importantly body fat.
Why do I feel this is so important? Multiple Reasons: First, It breaks up my training regiment, keeps up my cardio (intensely I may add) and the Marine in me likes the hardcore approach. Second, a strong core is paramount in the long races...50 milers and further. Also, it helps with balance and being a trail runner that loves the technical stuff...well yeah...you need some balance. Stronger body...less injuries...let's not forget that one either. Let me add as well that I also started watching my diet...maybe too much. My wife said that I began to live like a disciplined monk....watching carb to protein ratios....eating for the training...every two hours watching calories and what kind of calories...it's a sickness...I have lightened up a little...but after a bad day of eating...I try to get back.
Next post I will cover some core exercises...we will start with the following plank...ok...maybe not...;-)
A challenge...me holding a plank for a minute and then into a push up....it sucked...just sayin'
