Cross training and all those other exercises....

I am a one trick pony. I can run. Last year when I started training for the 10K, I attempted to work in strength training and cross training and did so successfully... for about a month.

Then I began running even more and those other exercises.... well they fell by the wayside.

But I was running fine so I didn't care that those other exercises went away. Then I started attempting some yoga this spring and realized just how tight my quad muscles were. I went to a bootcamp thing and figured out just how 1 sided I was. I could go out and run 7 miles, but couldn't do a crabwalk and barely could throw a tire..... So maybe that illusion of being in shape is just that ... an illusion.

As I look towards a half marathon distance, I'm accepting that merely running will not be enough. 13.1 miles. 2-2.5 hours of torture will be precisely that if I don't get my act together. Also bringing to light the importance of those other exercises: both of my running buddies have suffered some serious setbacks in the injury department. We're all realizing we need to do more than just lay on the couch and decided to get up and run a few miles....

Long story short, I'm back on the cross training bandwagon and working on the strength training one. Tonight, I biked over to a park and met a friend for some rollerblading and sandwiches. Then I biked home. It felt so good to work some different muscles and trying new exercises breaks up some of the monotony that happens when you're just focusing on one exercise...

Here's to trying new things! Tomorrow its the Go Commando 5K adventure race. 3.1 miles with 13 obstacles. This could be interesting.....