The Day I Acknowledged My Body Needs to Become Stronger

The day I discovered the immense joy and peace I felt within me while out pounding the pavement, running, was the also the day I realized how much balance this sport brought to my life. With the career I was in, I definitely needed balance.

Something’s missing

I enjoyed the road races, cross country and trail runs I participated in, always in competition with myself. Later on I questioned myself as to what I am missing. What should I be doing to gain more balance while running?

I had a tendency to be a bit off balance and I felt this when stepping off or back onto the pavement, even had a few falls as I was slow in regaining my balance at these times. Surely I need something extra, but what!

This Might Be The Answer!

Well, a group of my friends who was into trail running, encouraged me to join them. Trails, I was told would improve my balance and make me stronger for road running.

Off I went, trail running! A new experience and I grew to love the trails. Uneven, rocky and gravel pathways. Many steep inclines and then rollercoaster downs. I was and still am good on downhill running. This is fun I thought to myself, yet I was not improving my finishing times in a road races.

A few years I spent with the impression I just have to keep doing the trails, hoping for an improvement, then I said no more of this craziness. Change has to come.

Time For A Change

Research done, more guidance and advice given by a coach who I spoke to by chance.

Strength training is needed in my program, was the advice. Take at least two days in the week to rest and on these two days incorporate specific strength training. The thought of having to run less didn’t sit well with me. However I decided to do this and hope for the best results.

The New Training Program

The first week did not go so well. My legs, and just about all my muscles were in pain. I couldn’t run without feeling sore.

Needless to say, by the fourth week, I could feel the difference in my body. My breathing was good and due to this, my endurance over longer distance had improved. I could run faster for much longer. However I knew there was still a long way to go before my body was much stronger. I continued with the strength training.

The Lesson I Learnt: (Knowledge Gained)

Strength training improved my cardiovascular system. This built my endurance over the distance. Stronger muscles assisted in my balance, also my mental status had improved. I was also more confident. My body posture was also much better than before.

I realized sacrificing two days in my running program for strength training was in fact beneficial as I have improved on my road running finishing times.
I will therefore continue to incorporate strength training in my program.