After years and years of hitting the pavement, we've created this top 5 training tips!
1- Turns out weight training is important! We spent many years running only to only discover that as we age, we need more muscle, particularly to support our vulnerable knees! No need to go overboard here but incorporate 1-2 days of leg work into your routine. Find a routine that includes single leg movements to help ensure BOTH legs are getting stronger.
2- Flexibility matters too! Check out your local yoga studio (we particularly love hot yoga) or reformer pilates class. This doesn't have to be something you to do weekly but we try to make it happen at least 2x per month. Yoga and pilates also help with balance which is key for a runner (just think, most of your run your body is balanced on 1 leg)
3- Stay Healthy! Running is hard (and also amazing) on our bodies. Particularly when you are training for a race, be sure to boost your immunity with multi-vitamins, extra vitamin C, get good sleep, etc. Last thing you want is to wear yourself down and interrupt all the hard work you've been putting in.
4- Fuel your body & use science to your advantage! It's amazing how far sports nutrition has come since we started running (anyone remember Coke, Chocolate Milk and Pretzels!?!). Some of our favorites that we've incorporated into our training routines;
- Recovery Drinks - these really can help reduce soreness after a hard workout and allow you to work out back to back days.
- Collagen - helps support connective tissue which we are always stressing at runners
- Energy gels/ blocks/ etc. - we incorporate into our training (and races) for anything over 6 miles. So many options these day to choose from which is really great. Find one that works for you and most importantly, test it out before race day.