Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Tuesdays on the Run: Winter Crosstraining

The theme for this week's Tuesdays on the Run with PattyErika, and Marcia is a look into the future at the frigid months that await us and what we as runners can do when the roads are sheets of ice and the polar vortex is looming.


Two words the cause me to break out in hives when used in the same sentence are "winter" and "crosstraining."  The former conjures up bad memories of cancelled birthday parties from being a January baby and the latter just isn't as appealing as pounding pavement.  But regardless of my dread, I can neither stop winter from coming (unless anyone knows a Heat Miser who needs some business...) nor deny the positive benefits of crosstraining.  So what do I do when I can't log the miles in the chilly months?  Yoga!


While I do not see myself as a yogi, I have accepted that this traditional practice really enhances my running and is the perfect exercise during winter.  Between sitting inside more due to the limited amount of daylight and the cold weather tightening my muscles with a vengeance, my body just isn't in its peak shape.  Adding in the stretching and strength work awakens tired and tense limbs making the days when I can hit the roads way better.

While yoga provides me with a number of physical benefits, the mental component of the exercises is just as important.  As someone who gets more irritable from the lack of sunshine and fresh air, a meditative practice that allows me to redirect my negative emotions toward something productive generally leaves me feeling more optimistic about life.  I become less embittered about winter opening the way to actually enjoying the beauty that accompanies the season.


As someone who a year ago adamantly refused to partake in the practice, I've since become a willing yoga participant to the point that a significant number of my workouts conclude with some key poses.  If you're not sure where to look for sequences, start with the Runner's World Yoga Center.  The routines are really easy to follow with special attention to the muscles most used in running.  If you are someone who gets more out of social exercise, consider signing up for a class.  Many studios will give you a free trial session.  Going to a class can also be really beneficial in the winter, since it encourages you to abandon the warm covers for something that you will be thankful for later.

Haven't given yoga a try as a crosstraining method?  Consider broadening your horizons!  Worse comes to worst, you only used up one of many cold winter days.  On the other hand, you may have just found your new go-to for the days when running isn't on the agenda!

Happy running!
Sean

14 comments:

  1. I love yoga but have to admit that I haven't been to a class since marathon training started. I know it helps my running, but with the higher mileage recently I just haven't had time. I'm really looking forward to getting back into it this winter!

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    1. That is the one drawback of yoga - "quick" sessions are still require a good bit of time!

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  2. I am totally team yoga! I have a studio near my house and I love it there. I look forward to continuing to practice both yoga and barre over the winter. It definitely helps beat the winter blues!

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    1. That's awesome! Having somewhere takes a lot of excuses out of the equation.

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  3. I've tried to so hard to love yoga, but it just isn't my thing. I do try to incorporate a few moves that I know help me, but I haven't ever found a class I enjoyed enough to go back more than a couple of times.

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    1. It took a lot of experimenting and searching for me to find both instructors and sequences that I liked. But at the same time, not every form of crosstraining is for everyone!

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  4. So I have taken hot yoga and I really enjoyed it because I felt myself sweating so I think I am getting a good workout. Recently I took a regular yoga class and did not care for it. Maybe it was because of the instructor. Because I took another format of yoga, Bodyflow which is a Lesmills program and really enjoyed it.

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    1. I've heard lots of people rave about hot yoga - I may have to give it a try at some point! And yes, the instructor can make such a difference in whether you like or feel disinterested in the class.

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  5. I'm a huge yoga fan and when I was running my best I was attending 3 yoga classes/week. That said, I've fallen out of the practice and am looking forward to getting back to it as soon as I get Saturday's marathon out of the way. Thanks for linking up!

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    1. Best of luck on Saturday! Maintenance time really provides the best chance to get things back in order.

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  6. Yoga is amazing. I prefer it on an SUP or at the beach rather than in the classroom, but we do what we can. It's been great for my strength, flexibility and recovery. I wish I could spend more time on my practice.

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    1. I'd love to do yoga on the beach! May have to wait until my next vacation.

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  7. I need someone to drag me to yoga- because I love it, but don't ever do it! And awww- January babies are awesome. But yes, the birthday thing is an issue here too (my oldest!)

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    1. I think we all need that motivating friend to get us to do things we know are good, but never get around to!

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