A Well-Rounded Athlete

I love to run, but I also love my boot camp classes.  I am very addicted to both.  I was wondering whether I should just focus on one, since I would like to run a marathon in my near future, but I am happy to report that I've learned that cross-training is best for me.

In fact, it is likely that it corrected my IT band problems, as they have completely disappeared.  I wasn't sure whether it was that I improved my running stance or what, but an article in the Hamilton Spectator entitled 'Variety is the Key' (August 2012) states that IT band problems can be due to a weak core.

A runner cited in the article stated that while training for a marathon he ran so much that he injured himself before he could even race.

Since I've been doing boot camp exercises that focus on strengthening the core, this is probably why I've had not a single twinge of knee pain for over a year!  Hurrah for core strengthening.  I knew those push ups and planks must be good for something.  Let's plank some more!




 

Mommy Needs An Ice Pack for her Butt

Now that we're done the 25K, my friend and I are in training for the Iroquoia Trail Test 32K.  We went for a run today, almost 20K.  It was a route mostly through the city and it was more cement than we are used to doing.  At one point I turned to her and said, "You know, I have never iced my butt before but there's a first time for everything, and it's going to be today." 

My butt was aching.  This has never happened to me before while running.  I know what it was: boot camp. 

I do this amazing boot camp that is three times a week, and it's hard-core.  That's why I love it.  The last class was yesterday.  Obviously we worked our glutes.  I mean, we worked everything, like we always do; it's all about full-body workouts.  But I did notice that my glutes were a bit on the sore side this morning.

However, it sure got worse after running 20K.  I'm not sure why.  That's funny, isn't it?

What was funny was my friend and I doing this 20K run when we were tired and had drank wine the night before, and it was raining and our muscles were sore.  And we were talking about how runners are kind of crazy people.  And we said it with completely straight faces!  As if we're not runners.  As if we're not those people.  You know, the crazy ones.

We're the ones who talked about doing a marathon and then decided to just do the 50K race next year at Sulphur Springs.  Because that's...more than a marathon. 8K more!  And it's on trails.  Hilly trails.  Which is much harder than a road race.  So, yeah.  That's us.

Crazy.  With sore butts.  Luckily we're having fun.  See you on the trail!