General Strength

One thing newer runners may experience is that as they continue to run their lung capacity or aerobic capacity strengthens but the muscles or joints do not always follow along at the same progression. There is a remedy for this and Coach Jay Johnson has a nice after training exercise video:

Running Times: Part 1 from CoachJayJohnson on Vimeo.

I was doing these exercises this summer and they really helped with the adjustment from a muscular standpoint. In addition they are a great way to transition from the run to stretching.

But in my first two weeks in this training I had not been doing these exercises. A mistake on my part.

I changed that this morning and followed the Myrtl routine in the video. After three miles and 6 x 100 meter strides these were difficult to finish out. Within two or three weeks though they will just be another part of the routine but with some great benefits of strengthening core parts of the body that are vital to a healthy and strong runner.