Yoga: An Added Spice to Running?

About six weeks ago I signed up for my first yoga class. I've only tried Pilates and in the privacy of my own home, so I was a little intimidated about starting an actual yoga class. I was not very flexible and didn't know much about the benefits. I knew Yoga could help you relax, and who doesn't need help with that? So, one of my friends at work encouraged me to join and sign up with her.

I'm not going to lie, the first class was a little intimidating. The other students all came very prepared and looked like they had been doing the "downward dog" for years! But I showed up, no yoga mat, and in running shoes. So, I took off my socks and shoes, grabbed a mat from the rec closet and joined in. I really enjoyed it. And I felt taller afterwards, it was easier to breathe, and I felt relaxed. My friend who was with me said she felt the same thing.

In the September issue of Runner's World, (page 78) Uta Pippig, (who is also on the cover of the September issue of Runner's World) winner of the Boston, Berlin and New York City marathons, found herself stuck in a rut and in need of an energy boost. She added Yoga to her running workout regime "to regain energy, improve (my) breathing, and (to) find inner peace and satisfaction." I also read that Yoga can help make you stronger and prevent injury with intense stretches, poses, and breathing techniques.

You should check out this other article found on the Runner's World website, it also discusses the running benefits of Yoga; plus features poses and instructions.

Uta Pippig also recommends that beginners take a Yoga class for initial instruction from a professional. I have to say I agree. Don't try any poses without the proper guidance. You don't want to injure yourself while trying to prevent injury!

What is good enough for Uta Pippig, is good enough for me. I'll see you in Yoga class next Tuesday.

--Cassie

Running Makes You Smart

Another cool post from http://www.runningnetwork.com/. They featured an article from the New York Times on how exercise increases brain activity. The study explained "an expanding body of research shows that exercise can improve the performance of the brain by boosting memory and cognitive processing speed. Exercise can, in fact, create a stronger, faster brain."

The main study discussed in the article focuses on the behavior of mice. However, another study focuses on the behavior of humans, and how change of diet and exercise increased blood flow to key areas of the brain.

So, for anyone out there who tells you running is crazy, you can cheerily come back with "no, running is smart!" And it is.

--Cassie

5 Facts About Your New Balance Blogger

There are a handful of running blogs I read regularly, and lately some of these authors have completed a "running" list of interesting facts about themselves; some facts are running related and others are not. This gave me the inspiration to post some facts about yours truly.

Here are five facts about your New Balance blogger:

• I run because heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes run in my family. For me running has been a way to keep everything in check.
  
• In my high school yearbook I said I wanted to be an Aerobics Instructor or an Actress when I graduated from college...now I am a Copywriter...who knew?
• I cannot run on weekday mornings, I HAVE to run in the evenings during the week.
• I own 5 pairs of New Balance running shoes. I highly recommend the 767's.
• Recently, I just got my first MP3 player, a whole new world of running with music has just opened up!

Have five fun facts about you and/or your running quirks? Post 'em here. There is inspiration everywhere!

--Cassie

Pool Running?

As the weekend approaches and the heat still raging in most of the United States, I decided to look at some other options for training. If it's still too hot to run and you just don't want to take on a treadmill workout, try pool running. It may sound a little weird, but after reading this article on the Runner's World website today, I might give it a shot. The writer of the article, Marc Bloom, talks about ways to make pool running one of your alternatives to other "typical" cross training workouts. And if you are nursing an injury, pool running might be another way to stay in shape as you heal. He suggests getting a group together to pool run with you, playing a few games or even simulating a favorite running workout in the water (pacing, speed, etc.) to make it more fun.

--Cassie

The LaSalle Bank Chicago Distance Classic

This past weekend was the 30th Anniversary LaSalle Bank Chicago Distance Classic. Over 8,700 runners participated in this 13.1 mile race event. Read mile-by-mile race coverage, race results, and interviews with participants in this article by the Chicago Athlete posted on the Complete Running Network.

Top finishers in this event were Greg Costello with a time of 1:09:54, and Claudia Becque with a time of 1:21:20. Not bad times for a 6:30 AM start and for a race in the middle of a Chicago heat wave!

Anyone race in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Distance Classic over the weekend? Post your racing experience with us!

--Cassie