Whether or not you consider yourself to be a ‘runner’, if you pursue some kind of physical activity which takes the form of some running I personally think that you can safely call yourself a runner – should that be the case then it’s super-duper important that you are incorporating some form of resistance exercise into your schedule. The same goes for those partaking in triathlon among you. Number one reason? Injury prevention. Number two? Speed and PBs – we all love a bit of that don’t we? Let’s just say if you aren’t training some sort of strength then you are missing a huge hole in your game.
The muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments take quite a battering during running whatever surface you run on, no matter how far you go – in order to decrease your risk of injury, this is so important. Equally, as we outlined above, we all want to be a little quicker, a little more efficient and be able to go longer and faster, right?!
It might mean we need to take a single running session out of your weekly schedule (heaven forbid!!) but I promise you it will be worth it. It is the difference between a few months or years out further down the line or even having to ‘retire’ early OR finding longevity and enjoyment in every run that you go on.
Working your sessions sensibly into your running schedule is something we can work on together in order to ensure you aren’t making yourself too sore or fatigued and therefore affect your running training. Leaving yourself in a sweaty heap on the floor is not something we are after with this strength training session – it is sensible programming. We will rest plenty between sets and exercises – I know you aren’t used to it and find it boring, it’s important for the productiveness of the session!
Remember team here it is functional strength we are after – I am not after making you feel like you are walking around looking like Arnie if that isn’t for you. I promise you, you aren’t going to get ‘bulky’ – that, of course would be pretty unhelpful actually as we would be carrying unnecessary body weight with every stride we take. Over time, however, as we adapt to the training stimulus we are putting your body under we will lift heavier and more challenging weights relative to you in order to improve.
It isn’t just those leggies that need some help too, we will focus on a full body approach in order to support all joints and muscle groups – things like posture, back health, all super important for longevity with running and with life!
Let’s get to work chaps! If you need a hand, any ideas or even just a chat you know where I am.
Peace and love, A x
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