The difference between this challenge, and other challenges I have participated in, is that you do not have a rest day.
So this morning I was sitting in the dark for 105 s and all of a sudden it was only 17 s left. Some shaking in the thighs.
I have been part of a discussion with long distance runners where cross training has been discussed and yoga has been mentioned.
As a rookie ultra runner I have tried to find a program to get ready for my second Ultra race in May and there was Yoga and Pilates and of course I wondered what these two trainings would give me as a ultra runner. I believe these are good for any runner. So after some searching on the internet I felt that Yoga and Pilates is worth giving them a try.
So this evening I tried Pilates for the very first time
Pilates is the art of controlled movements, which should look and feel like a workout when properly manifested. If practiced with consistency, Pilates improves flexibility, builds strength and develops control and endurance in the whole human body.It puts emphasis on alignment, breathing, developing a strong powerhouse, and improving coordination and balance. Pilates system allows for different exercises to be modified in range of difficulty from beginner to advanced or to any other level, and also in terms of the instructor and practitioner’s specific goals and/or limitations. Intensity can be increased over time as the body conditions and adapts to the exercises
When I walked into the room I saw that you should have a mat, ball and some other tool but then the instructor informed us we would only use our body, ”Flow pilates”
Then she went through 3 basics whch were neutral position, breathing and the third I do not remember
We started with imprint where we were buckle the stomach
I now know where some of the core exercises come from on the core that I participate at on Fridays. Pilates comes from Yoga so the Dog was there and after that we went over to Pilates plank to push-up
Side plank was there too and bridging.
It was a lot of core, back exercises and I do not remember all of the names but it is definately an exercise I will do more of.
Next week I will test Power Yoga.
I
The challenge continues.
Today it was 100 s and first time I looked at the timer it was over 1 min left, oh boy!
Then I looked at the timer when it was 49 s left but the shaking did not start til it was 19 s left. 🙂
This weekend I had planned that I would a 30K run and Linda who also is a Coach K Runner asked on FB if anyone would like to run a 30K run in Lund and I told her that I had planned to do that.
So we decided to start at 11 am. When we started to run the” fast runners” had just got back from their run.
I decided I would wear my winter pants so I didn’t freeze. I found out that Linda is a ultra runner so a lot of our discussion was about ultra races and preparation and recovery.
When we were on the bike path to Lomma we had a really strong freezing upwind and we hoped when we would turn back to Lund we would get rid of the upwind.
When we came to nature reserve the gravel road had become a big puddle so we took an alternative way off road 🙂 got some trail running into the woods and I found a way out after the puddle.
We also discussed the Swedish Classic (Svenska klassikern) and Vasaloppet. We actually met some rollerskis skaters.
I was a bit worried if I would be able to run this long run since I have had problems with irritated periosteums and didn’t know if my legs were ready to run this far but it felt that I am back now.
So after Lomma the upwind disappeared and we both agreed that this is a perfect run, And it was nice to see the sun.
Linda was on sightseeing, saw part of Lund that she had not seen before.
Temperature: 4oC (39F)
Total distance: 28.74K, total time: 3.12.20 h, average speed: 6.41 min/k, max speed: 5.46 min/k
Stretching: Yoga positions – The Dog and the Dove
The challenge continues.
Before my long run I did 95 seconds, shaking thighs and it is getting harder and harder to get up afterwards.
I was suppose to have been running yesterday but it was raining the whole day. One of the rules is to never give up and I totally agree but if there is one thing that cannot happen is that I get sick again. I am going to a very important interview on Monday so then I did the run today.
I did some testings today while I ran my 12.5K run.
During the morning the sun came out and when I took the train to Denmark it did not rain and I hoped it would stay that way, there was some hope.
I needed to test my 2XU compressions tights (the regular ones), the temperature was around 7oC (45F) and I am one of the people that do not get very warm when I run, these compression tights are a bit too cold to run in at this temperature.
One other thing that I was going to test was to follow a route and see what happens. I bought my own Suunto Ambit3 peak which is a new brand for me. I have used Polar for years (not GPS though). So when I chose the route the Compass needed to be calibrated and it succeeded and then the starting point was detected and then it was time to start running. Of course I consciously ran in the wrong direction to see if the pulse watch would react and how. It seems to me that I have to change a setting somewhere. I am getting there. Otherwise I could see the route on the display and saw where I was running and this was one of the demands I had when I was chosing which pulse I would buy.
It is always nice to meet another Coach K Runner while I am running and today Karin A was running in the other direction and we said hello 🙂
Another thing that I also was testing was to make sure the display was fine now. I wanted to see the current activity duration at the top, pace in the middle and then at the bottom: distance, heart rate and altitude and finally I saw it the way that I want 🙂
I had some upwind part of the run, it was nice to see the sun come out and brighten my afternoon.
Total distance: 7.86 miles (12.66K), total time: 1.21.19 h, average speed: 6.25 min/k, max speed: 5.57 min/k 🙂 Total distance so far: 33.51 miles (53.96K)
This challenge continues.
Today it was time to do it for 90 s. Used the breathing exercises I did at YinYoga the other day. When it was 40s left the front thighs started to shake but it was just to sit there til the bitter end 🙂
The 90oC exercise continues.
Starting the day with YinYoga and after breakfast it was time to do this exercise for 85 seconds. Took the opportunity to do the breathing exercise from YinYoga while sitting in this position. Some shaking in my front thighs in the end,
I am not a person who gets up early in the morning and exercise. I admire people who are getting up early in the morning exercising. The only exeption from this rule is Core which is worth getting up early for.
I have been part of a discussion with long distance runners where cross training has been discussed and yoga has been mentioned.
As a rookie ultra runner I have tried to find a program to get ready for my second Ultra race in May and there was Yoga and Pilates and of course I wondered what these two trainings would give me as a ultra runner. I believe these are good for any runner. So after some searching on the internet I felt that Yoga and Pilates is worth giving them a try.
So this morning, believe or not I did YinYoga 6.45 at Gerdahallen
Yin yoga is a slow-paced style of Yoga with poses, or asanas, that are held for longer periods of time—five minutes or longer per pose is typical. Yin yoga poses apply moderate stress to the connective tissues – the tendons, fascia, and ligaments—with the aim of increasing circulation in the joints and improving flexibility. They are also designed to improve the flow of qi, the subtle energy said in Chinese medicine to run through the meridian pathways of the body. Improved qi flow is hypothesized to improve organ health, immunity, and emotional well-being.] A more meditative approach to yoga, yin aims at cultivating awareness of one’s inner silence, and bringing to light a universal, interconnecting quality
I decided I would be barefoot and walked into the Yoga room and was met by calm music and lit candles. Went and got myself a Yoga mat, saw that the people who already where there had blankets next to them so I got one as well. You could also get other Yoga ”tools” but decided to keep it simple this time.
First the Yoga instructor explained was YinYoga was which I enjoyed a lot and then it was time to focus on the breathing.
After that we did the Child Position which also is a stretching exercise I have done after the gym and also after Core. It felt good doing this for a longer time. After that we did the Butterfly which was one of the tough positions to sit in for a longer time. Then it was the Dog which went over into a position where I put one leg in front, also a stretching exercise I have done after Spinning and Judo. I don’t remember the name. In the end I got tired in the front leg.
Then we did Happy Child position which was going to be intense and we only did that for 2 minutes, for me it was ok.
After that we did a position that I forgot the name of and we could go over to the Seal but the seal was too intense for me this morning. We also did some other positions.
After that we did some stretching. Laid down for a longer time where most put blankets on but I decided I would do this without a blanket.
After a while I had to put socks on.
This Yoga was good starting with early in the morning,a good start of the day. I will try the other Yoga form Another day and Pilates Sunday to see what suits me best.
So now it was time to do another wall sit exercise for 80 seconds this time.
It felt long today, already at around 50 s I looked at the timer and then at around 30 seconds the front thights started to shake more and more. It was just to grag the bulls by its horns til the bitter end 🙂