Jennifer - Cross training and the difference it has made for me

Thought is cause: experience is effect. If you don't like the effects in your life, you have to change the nature of your thinking.~ Marianne Williamson

I have always thought of myself as a fairly slow runner.  It was always more important to me to run long distances; even if it meant slowing down considerably to do so.  It wasn’t until last year that I decided I needed to increase my speed.

When I began training with my running group, speed with distance became somewhat of a necessity.  I was running an 11-12 minute mile while the rest of the group was running a roughly 8-10 minute mile.  Now, if you’ve ever spent any time with me, you know that finding my way from point A to point B is not my strong point.  Thankfully my running group is composed of some of the most compassionate, understanding people on the planet because I have received numerous calls from them during a run that all begin the same way “Jennifer, WHERE are you?”  To which I would reply “I have no idea!”  Somehow, someway my sense of direction managed to take me in a wrong direction and I end up in a completely different place.  They would get in their cars or run to me.  They are the best.  So, needless to say, I began to get very determined to increase my speed. 

At that point, my only exercise was running.  I never felt the need to lift weights or to do any other type of cardio.  I felt that cross training was only for hard-core athletes.  So when I decided I wanted to increase speed, I just worked on running. Each time I would attempt to go faster my legs would not cooperate and my joints would be in pain.  Speed work left me exhausted and winded with minimal speed increases.  I began doing some research and talking to other runners.

I found out that my core muscles needed to be strengthened.  I began with reverse lunges before every run along with my stretching routine.  It took about a month to notice a difference but I slowly began creeping up on the group.  Then I added other exercises such as plank pose and noticed I was getting stronger every day.  It was when I began to add a formal cross training routine to my days off from running that I really saw a significant improvement in my speed.  I lift weights and do cardio exercises for 30 minutes on Mondays and Wednesdays along with running Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  It’s not an easy workout regimine but it has been well worth it.  The best part about increasing speed was that it was almost an effortless transition from slow to fast.  The muscles were stronger and therefore picking up my legs became a lot easier.  I barely noticed I was moving faster.  I transitioned from an 11-12 minute mile to 8-9 minute mile in about 6 months.  I owe this progress to cross training and, of course, my running group who pushed me and didn’t even realize it.

I’ve also noticed other benefits I’ve received from my cross training routine.  I’m not as prone to injury as I used to be, I have more energy and, overall, I’m stronger.  It’s not always easy to add yet another thing to my week but the benefits have outweighed any sleep deprivation I may incur.