The idea of adding strength training into marathon training can sound daunting. You are running more miles than normal, with longer long runs and harder workouts. The sheer volume of running alone is tiring. However, it’s worth taking the time and energy to strength train during marathon training, even at the expense of a few miles. I’ve talked plenty before about the benefits of strength training for runners - and those benefits are even more applicable for the physical demands of the ...
Running
Mile Markers: Dog Days of Summer Running
Last week marked 30 weeks pregnant. I'm honestly surprised at how good running still feels. I'll have a week where running feels harder and I do less (such as the week before), and then I seem to adapt and have a week where running feels great. Admittedly, the weather does play a huge role! I'm really fortunate that I don't have any issues or pain. (Honestly, I attribute it to sheer luck of being tall at 5'9 with a long torso, not anything special that I did. Every woman carries ...
Summer Speed Workouts for Hot Weather Training
The high humidity and heat place extra demands on your body while running. Your body directs more blood flow to your skin in order to cool you, thus increasing your heart rate at any given pace. Running is harder in summer and your paces are often slower at the same effort level. Workouts like continuous tempo runs or long intervals become more difficult in the summer. In these long efforts, your heart rate increases as the run progresses and your body works even harder to regulate your ...
Training for a Hilly Race in a Flat Area
Specificity is an essential aspect of training for a race. You want to prepare your mind and body for the unique demands of the event, including the distance, terrain, climate, and elevation gain. But specificity can be tricky - such as training for a hilly race when you live in an area without any hills. However, tricky does not mean impossible - it just requires intention and creativity. Whether it’s a hilly half marathon, a destination trail race, or the Boston Marathon, it is possible to ...
Mile Markers: Staycation
Last week was a hot one in Northwest Indiana. Most mornings were in the mid-70s or hotter, with high humidity - above average for the region. At 29 weeks pregnant, running in the heat and humidity does not feel great. I was not disciplined about running super early in the morning, so instead, I ran less this week. That's okay, though -we did a lot of non-running activities this week! Instead of a babymoon, Ryan and I took a week of staycation. We hiked and kayaked around Lake Michigan, ...