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Strength exercises for running

Lizcanrun profile image
LizcanrunHalf Marathon
20 Replies

Hello all, so I just did my 1st half marathon (😀😀😀), but had several injuries in the run up (no pun intended) and during the event battled with pain in my groin, quad & hip in my right leg.

Up until now, my strengthening exercises have been a mixture of things given to me by the physio to fix injuries. I need to do more preventative than reactive exercises.

My question is this. If I were to do something like yoga or pilates would that do the job? Or do I need to do stuff specifically for running?

Thanks in advance

Liz

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Lizcanrun profile image
Lizcanrun
Half Marathon
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20 Replies
RunWillie profile image
RunWillieMetric Marathon

Think both Yoga & Pilates are excellent for runners. I’ve got a Pilates for runners book by Harri Angell incase that’s helpful.

I have to confess though I’m not brillant at doing strength stuff. CBDB would be the best person to advise 😍

Lizcanrun profile image
LizcanrunHalf Marathon in reply to RunWillie

Thanks

Frenc profile image
FrencHalf Marathon

Hello! I’ve always done strength regardless, legs once or twice a week, which I think stood me in good stead when I took up running. There’s quite a good leg strength article in June’s Runner’s World that may give you some ideas. I do stretch religiously too, most evenings in front of the telly. I feel that yoga would be really beneficial as well, but it’s just finding the time really. I remind myself that whatever I do as an add-on will hopefully help my running which keeps me motivated (somewhat 🤣).

Lizcanrun profile image
LizcanrunHalf Marathon in reply to Frenc

Yes, I agree about the time. I want a quick fix - alas, I don't think there is one!

Cmoi profile image
CmoiMarathon

Why not take a look at the Strength and Flex forum Lizcanrun ? It's here: healthunlocked.com/strength...

I do pre-run dynamic stretches and post-run static stretches, but I'm a lazy cow who doesn't do any strength work. When I first started C25K I was also doing yoga, but gave up as it was triggering wrist, arm and shoulder problems. I tried a short session the other day and it was OK, so might give it another go.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66AdministratorHalf Marathon

I have started doing (or attempting at least) the strength circuit attached to roseabi ’s half marathon plan. I have surprised myself and managed to do some of them..omitting the leap in the burpees which would probably lead to A&E! 🥂

Lizcanrun profile image
LizcanrunHalf Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66

I'll take a look... No idea what a burpee is, do you have to say pardon after? 🤣

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66AdministratorHalf Marathon in reply to Lizcanrun

You won’t have enough breath 🙂

Lizcanrun profile image
LizcanrunHalf Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66

🤣🤣🤣

Woollyweaver profile image
WoollyweaverHalf Marathon

I have no patience for yoga and Pilates, but I've just done the James Dunne 30 day challenge over on Strength and Flex. It was hard work, but the running benefits are noticeable! I'm definitely going to be incorporating some of the exercises into my future strength/stretch routines. It's great to do the challenge with the support of the forum too - if you check out the posts you will find the links, and I think you may find that Beatlesforever and others are going to be starting the challenge again soon. Congrats on your HM, by the way, a fab achievement, especially having to contend with injuries 👏

Lizcanrun profile image
LizcanrunHalf Marathon in reply to Woollyweaver

Thanks Woolly weaver, I actually signed up for that challenge, but then didn't do anything as I was worried they might hinder my recovery. If they do it again, I may try it. It's just all so much time & effort!

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Miles in reply to Lizcanrun

I wonder if they are still there? I’ll go and have a look because I signed up for them but then ….. we’ll I didn’t even start

Beatlesforever profile image
Beatlesforever in reply to SueAppleRun

CBDB has compiled all the posts into one, which I think may be a pinned post. It should be on the S&F forum 🙂

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Miles in reply to Beatlesforever

I’ve just been and had a look, if I’m extending my runs I may need to do something other than slob knit and play the sax on days off Thank you Beatles

Beatlesforever profile image
Beatlesforever in reply to SueAppleRun

You play the sax? How cool is that! 😎🎷🎶 You're very welcome to join us when we re-start if you're feeling up to it 👏👏👏😊

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Miles in reply to Beatlesforever

My brass one is almost at the end of her playability so I bought her a girlfriend 😀due to the men with knives cutting into my mouth twice now I haven’t played most of this year and today I’ve been playing a load of simple tunes and scales, it’s like running though the muscles round my mouth know they’ve had a good work out. If you are starting again I’d love to join you but I’m great at starting and fizzling out

The knife man will be back but hopefully the next surgery will be the last because it does make eating playing and running difficult

Sax
Beatlesforever profile image
Beatlesforever in reply to SueAppleRun

They are beautiful 😍😍 I know what you mean about playing being like running. I used to play piano when I was younger. Nowadays I'm quite rusty so whenever I sit down to play, my fingers know they're getting a good workout! Even though they can't do what they'd like to do speed wise 😅 I hope this next surgery will be the last, you've had more than your fair share of pain, post-op recovery and the rest 🤗See how you feel when we get started on the plan. You can dip in and out, it's not like running. Each week is different so it's not like you need to have done week 1 to attempt week 2 if you know what I mean.

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Miles in reply to Beatlesforever

If I remember next Monday I will start and see how it goes, i will do the shortest run of week 2 so i have some energy left, oh I was laughing at myself playing scales I used to run up and down 2 octaves on one breath east but my fingers just don’t go fast enough but they will 😀

Beatlesforever profile image
Beatlesforever in reply to Lizcanrun

We were thinking on starting next Monday, after the bank holiday weekend. The plan is for marathon runners so it might be something worth checking out. It is a big commitment but you can also adapt it and do it at your own pace 👍

Comfortnotspeed profile image
ComfortnotspeedMarathon

I swear by yoga to help. Also, I’m a fan of a physio called Paul Hobrough. He had a YouTube video with excellent advice. Hope things improve with a rest.

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