Fit to Run: Easy Run + Strength Day #1

Hi, friends! I am excited to share my strength training for runners program with you as it unfolds. Each week on #workoutWednesday I will share a new component of the program. We are starting with phase one which will last four weeks. I wrote an introduction to the program last week that explains how I am putting it all together. The intention is to slow-drip the content to my blog readers as it is created and then eventually offer it as an ebook once it's complete. 

We already talked a little about goal setting, because it makes sense that before you start any new program you really think about what you want to get out of it. For best results think about your goals and what you what to accomplish over the duration of the program.

I am also including a nutrition component in the program because fueling your body properly for performance is important. You can check out this post about how to self-analyze your food journal as a starting point. More to come on sports and exercise nutrition. 

WEEK ONE DAY ONE

Day one is an easy run and the strength training "A" workout.

EASY RUN

An easy run should be 30 minutes or less at a conversational pace. This means the effort level is leisurely and you can hold a conversation without gasping for breath between sentences. You can learn more about Rate of Perceived Exertion or RPE and how to determine your effort level in this post. The purpose of this workout is to build and maintain and running base. 

STRENGTH TRAINING "A" WORKOUT

The strength training workout is about 20 minutes including rest periods. We are starting out with bodyweight exercises that can be progressed by adding weights as you get stronger. 

This workout uses a 20 second work/10 second rest protocol repeated for 4 minutes. You can search "Tabata timer" in the app store or on Google play to find a free timer or I like to use the (afffiliate link-->) GymBoss timer. 

For each round you will alternate between two exercises for the four minute duration.

Exercise one: 20 seconds
rest 10 seconds
Exercise two: 20 seconds
rest 10 seconds
repeat for four minutes
rest one minute between rounds

These particular exercises were selected to strengthen your core (which includes your hips). Runners often have muscle imbalances because as you run, your quads (front of your thigh) and your calves grow strong while your hips and hamstrings are under utilized. You run in only one plane of motion (forward). To improve strength, overall athleticism and avoid injuries, it is essential to build strength laterally. 

Fit to run strength training for runners - download a printable version of this workout. Save to your favorite fitness Pinterest board

ROUND ONE: SQUAT AND SIDE LUNGE

SQUAT:

Push your hips back and lower until your thighs are parallel to the floor (like you are sitting back in a chair) or as low as your flexibility allows. In the low position, engage your core, squeeze your glutes and push back up to standing. Return to center, push hips back again and repeat for 20 seconds. Take a deep breath in as your lower to the squat and breathe out as you return to standing. Rest for 10 seconds before moving on to the next exercise.

SIDE LUNGE: 

Face forward with toes pointing straight ahead, take a wide step out to your right side. Push your hips back, bend your right knee, while straightening your left leg. With your back straight, hinge at your hips to aim to touch the floor with both hands on either side of your foot. Do not round your back or allow your knee to move forward beyond your toe. Be sure to keep your torso and both feet facing forward. Alternate between the right and left side for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds before moving on to the next exercise.

Rest for up to one minute between rounds. 

ROUND TWO: LUNGE AND CURTSY SQUAT

LUNGE:

With your feet hip width apart and your toes pointed straight ahead, engage your core and keep your back straight. Take one large step with your right leg to lunge forward until your front knee is lined up over your ankle and your back knee is nearly touching the floor. Do not allow your knee to move forward over your toes. Resist the urge to lean forward or rest your arms on your thighs. Once you are in the lunge position push back up to starting position. Alternate legs for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds before moving on to the next exercise

CURTSY LUNGE

Stand with your feet hip apart. Cross your right leg behind the body and to the left. Bend left knee 90 degrees, or as low your flexibility will allow, toes pointing forward, then return to starting position. Alternate sides for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds before moving on to the next exercise.

Rest for up to one minute between rounds.

ROUND THREE: BRIDGE AND BICYCLE

BRIDGE:

Lie on your back with your knees bent and push your hips off the floor so your body is in a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. Squeeze your glutes and engage your abs for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds before moving on to the next exercise.

BICYCLE:

Lie flat on the floor with the lower back pressed into the ground. Place your hands on either side of your head, do not lock your fingers or pull on your head. Lift your head and shoulder off the floor and touch your right elbow to the left knee. At the same time, straighten your right leg, keeping it several inches off of the floor. Alternate sides to repeat the motion you'd make while pedaling a bicycle for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds before moving on the next exercise. 

Rest for up to one minute between rounds

ROUND FOUR: PUSHUP AND PLANK ROW

PUSH UP:

Start in a high plank position with your hands placed a little wider than your shoulders. Keep your body in a straight line, while engaging your core, bend your elbows slowly to lower your chest to the floor. Once in the low position, push back up to the starting position. If this is too challenging, drop to your knees or do incline pushups to reduce the weight. Repeat for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds before moving on to the next exercise.

PLANK ROW:

Start in a straight-arm high plank position with your wrists directly under your shoulders and your legs slightly wider than hip width for stability. Keep your body in a straight line from your shoulders to ankles while engaging your core. Do not allow your hips to hike up or sag down.

With your core tight and your glutes engaged lift your right elbow to row as you bend your elbow up toward the ceiling. Keep your elbows close to your side, do not allow them to flare out. You can do this exercise with or without weights. Alternate sides for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds before moving on to the next exercise. 

When you're finished, if you're a weirdo like me, you'll sing for joy. Or maybe not.

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Coach Lea

Rate of Perceived Exertion: How to Determine Running Pace and Effort + Interval Workout

I am working on a new strength training and running program. It will include running workouts as well as short runner-specific strength workouts that can be completed after your runs on easy effort days. I am writing the program for a wide audience (hopefully, cross your fingers and toes) so I have to be more general than I would be with my own clients. Since I don't know your running background, experience or injury background, I can't give you specifics on what paces or distances you should run.

For example, if I assign a 10 minute mile pace for three miles as an "easy" day run, this may not be so easy for a brand new runner. On the other hand, if I assign a 9 minute mile pace for five miles as a tempo run, it may not be challenging enough to achieve tempo for a more experienced runner. 

On my programs, I define runs as "easy runs" and "interval runs" and I leave it up to you to decide what those paces mean to you. If you try to hit someone else's arbitrary paces before your fitness level dictates it, you'll only end up frustrated and possibly injured.

We solve this issue by using the RPE (rate of perceived exertion) chart. It is very easy to follow. You base your pace on your perceived level of effort. By determining your own paces based on your current fitness level you will be able to grow with the program as you get faster and stronger. 

THE TALK TEST | RPE CHART

Your RPE can be determined by the talk test.

RPE:1 No effort. You are probably sitting.

RPE:2-3 Light effort. Breathing is extremely easy. You may be walking at a leisurely pace.

RPE: 4-6 Moderate effort. You are working a little harder, maybe a jog, but you can carry on a full conversation at this pace without gasping for air between words or sentences. 

RPE: 7-8 Hard effort. You can speak a sentence or two at a time before having to taking a gasp of breath.

RPE: 9 Extremely hard effort. You can get out a word or two but breathing is labored and talking is challenging.

RPE: 10 Maximum effort. You are completely out of breath and unable to talk. You would only be able to hold this pace for a very short time.

EASY RUN

When your plan has an easy run day, this would be a RPE level 2-6. You should always be able to talk through full sentences and conversations when at this pace. It is sometimes referred to as 'conversational pace.' For some this may be walking briskly, for others a jog. 

To get the most out of your training it is important to go easy on easy days and hard on hard days.

INTERVAL PACE

An interval is when you run at varying paces throughout the workout. It is an effective and time-saving way to get the most out of your run. In an interval run, I may ask you run one minute at a RPE of 7-8 followed by one minute at a recovery pace. Your speed for one speed minute interval should feel hard, but not an all out effort. It may take some experimenting to find out what that pace is for you.

RECOVERY PACE

The recovery period during the interval workout will be a RPE 2-3. After a period of a hard effort, you will return to a much easier pace in order to recover before repeating the interval. 

TRACKING YOUR PROGRESS

If you have the means to do it with a GPS watch or a treadmill, I recommend tracking your current paces at each RPE level. You may find when you start, as an example, that a RPE 2-3 is a 15 minute mile, a RPE 4-6 is a 10 minute mile and a RPE 7-8 is 9 minute mile. Then over time, as you get faster and more efficient, your paces will go down for each level. You may find after regular training that now your RPE for 2-3 is a 12 minute mile, RPE 4-6 is a 9:30 minute mile and RPE 7-8 is an 8:30. It's a great way to track improvements. Make sense? Have questions? I'm happy to help. 

RUNNING SPEED INTERVAL WORKOUT

Here is a workout that you can try to get a feel for the different paces. This is a very short and efficient workout. I recommend warming up with dynamic stretches before the run, then begin with the 3 minute RPE 2-3 pace as shown below.

You'll notice that as we start with a 3 minute interval at a moderate pace then a 2 minute interval at a harder pace and finish with one minute at an extremely hard pace. See what feels right for you at each of these work intervals.

The pace you choose for the 3 minute interval will feel harder than a walk, but not so hard that you can't maintain it for three minutes.

The 2 minute interval will be a little harder than your 3 minute interval, but still not so hard that you can't maintain the pace for two minutes

The final 1 minute interval will be just under an all-out effort. Good thing you only have to hold that pace for one minute.

Either cool down with a three minute recover walk (beginners) or repeat the workout (advanced).

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Coach Lea

QUICK DYNAMIC WARM UP FOR RUNNERS

Welcome to the latest edition of Workout Wednesday! Today I am sharing a quick warm up to try before your runs. It's important to prep your body for the workout, so if you have just been just jogging, walking or worse, no warm up at all, then I suggest this dynamic warm up to prime your body for running. 

A dynamic stretch moves the joint through the full range of motion. This warm up increases blood flow, warms up muscles, improves hip mobility, core stability and balance. A quick dynamic warm up can improve performance and help prevent injuries. 

 

LEG SWINGS FORWARD/BACK

Standing on one leg with your knee (ever so) slightly bent, engage your core and squeeze your glutes (butt muscles). With a straight leg swing your leg out in front, then behind. Repeat 10 times on each leg. If you have to hold on to something or touch your foot down to maintain balance it is ok at first, but work on building balance over time. Have a strong core and balance will benefit your running form and efficiency over the long term. 

LEG SWINGS LATERAL

Standing one one leg with your knee (ever so) slightly bent, engage your core and squeeze your glutes. With a straight leg swing your leg out to the right then cross over the front leg to the left. Repeat 10 times on each leg. Work to build up balance over time.

HIP ROTATION

Standing on one leg, bend your knee to 90 degrees and lift your thigh up until it is parallel to the ground. Engage your core and glutes. Rotate your hip out to the side then return to starting position. Repeat 8 times on each side. 

WALKING HAMSTRING STRETCH

Standing on one leg, pull up the opposite leg and hug to your chest to stretch your hamstring muscles in the back of your leg. Hold the position for 2 seconds, lower your leg to step forward and repeat on other side. Walk forward bringing each leg to chest eight times. You could progress this exercise by performing high knees, quickly bringing your knees up alternating between right and left. 

WALKING QUAD STRETCH

Standing on one leg pull your heel back until it touches your butt to stretch the quad muscles in your thigh. Keep your knees together. Hold for 2 seconds, lower your leg and repeat on other side while walking forward in a fluid motion. You could progress this exercise by performing butt kicks, quickly bringing your heel to your butt alternating between right and left.

WALKING LOW LUNGES

Step one leg forward into a low lunge while keeping the back leg as straight as possible. You'll notice when you straighten the back leg, you'll feel the stretch in your hip flexors, hold for two seconds. Keep your core engaged, your back straight and step the back leg forward to meet the front leg. Step forward with opposite leg and repeat eight on each side.

CARIOCA

No, I didn't mean karaoke. I'm not going to make you sing or worse, listen to me sing. This is a fun drill to open up your hips before your run. I recommend doing it once slow and then again as quickly as possible.

Start with your feet about hip width apart, step your left leg behind, then bring your right leg in front so you return to hip width stance, then bring your left leg in front and right leg behind to return to hip width stance. Take 10 steps in one direction, then 10 steps in the other direction.

HIGH SKIPS

Finish off your warm up with high skips to get your heart rate up a bit. Drive your right knee and right arm up while skipping, focusing on moving vertically. Switch leg and arm moving dynamically through the motion eight times per side.

Ready to run? Do you warm up before you run? If not, will you start? Pinky swear? 

Who's a good boy?

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Coach Lea

Outdoor Boot Camp

Welcome to the latest edition of workout Wednesday! This week I thought I'd give you a taste of our outdoor boot camp workouts in case you you don't live in Fort Worth and are unable to join us. 

In Texas there is a very short period of time that I like to call "free weather." We don't need our heaters and we don't yet need our air conditioners. It is the perfect weather to get outside to workout in the fresh air. 

This is a full body strength and cardio workout that can be done in about 20 minutes. 

CIRCUIT ONE

Set a timer for 5 minutes

8 plank rows (each side)
8 plank jacks
8 squats
repeat until time expires

Perform 8 walking lunges (each leg) to the next station.
30 second to one minute rest before beginning the next circuit

CIRCUIT TWO

Set a timer for 5 minutes

8 sumo squats
8 high knees
8 curtsy squats (each side)
repeat until time expires

Perform 8 walking lunges (each leg) to the next station
30 second to one minute rest before beginning the next circuit

CIRCUIT THREE

Set a timer for 5 minutes

8 pushups
8 mountain climbers
8 supermans
repeat until time expires

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Coach Lea

The 30-20-10 Interval Running Workout

Welcome to the latest edition of workout Wednesday! This week I have a great interval running workout for you to try. This workout was developed by Dr. Jens Bangsbo at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark to increase speed in recreational runners. If you are looking for an easy way to incorporate interval or speed training into your running workouts this is a great place to start. You could do it on the street or the track with a timer (affiliate --> I use a gymboss interval timer) or on the treadmill.

This is a by-feel paced workout. That means you don't need a GPS watch to make sure you hit certain paces. All you need is a timer and a pair of running shoes (OK, clothes would probably be a good idea too). 

Warm up by walking or jogging 10 minutes or one mile.

30 seconds

Start at a slow pace for 30 seconds. This should feel very easy, breathing is easy. For a beginner this may even be a brisk walk. It's called conversation pace. You could hold a conversation while maintaining this pace. 

20 seconds

Accelerate to a moderate pace for 20 seconds. This should be your race pace. A little faster than your easy pace but not an all-out-sprint. It should feel comfortably hard. You could probably get out a sentence or a few words between breaths, but you are working too hard to hold a conversation.

10 seconds

Then sprint as hard as you can for 10 seconds. Go for it. Give it all you have for 10 seconds. You can't talk at all while holding this pace. 

Repeat four more times in a row without rest for a total of 5 minutes of these intervals.

2 Minutes

Rest until your breath is fully recovered (about 2 minutes).

Repeat

Repeat these 30-20-10 sessions and rest periods until fatigued (no more than 30 minutes) for a quick and effective speed workout for runners of all levels

Cool down by jogging or walking 10 minutes or one mile.

Doesn't Ollie demonstrate the 10 second sprint pace picture perfectly? Good dog. 

Add this workout to your schedule 1-2 times per week with rest days and easy-paced run days in between hard workouts.

A general rule for intense training: A little is better than none and a lot is too much. Remember that our bodies adapt (grow stronger and faster) during rest, not during the workout. Allow your body adequate time to recover between hard workouts for the best results.

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Coach Lea