Rodeo Yoga

Instead of the Rodeo Run this morning, I went to yoga class. It has been quite some time since I had been there. I have been so focused on running that I never could fit it in. One thing I noticed is my legs are stronger than ever. On the other hand, my hamstrings and calves are tighter plus my upper body is weaker than when I was doing yoga regularly.

I will have to try to establish a balanced cross training routine. Who knows, if I had been doing yoga regularly maybe I would not have strained my achilles. I believe strength training and stretching should supplement my running. Yoga is actually good at both.

In March, I will reach the two year anniversary of my reinvention. I guess I am not an aspiring rookie runner anymore. My reinvention as a runner has completed its first phase. Like an athlete I have pushed myself to the limit and tasted both success and injury.

Professional runners get injured all the time. Paula Radcliffe's book, Paula, My Story So Far, is full of stories of her battle with injuries. I was amazed how often she was hurt, including leading into the Athens Olympics where she took a DNF. Kate McIlroy, the world mountain running champion for New Zealand, had Achilles tendonitis in the second half of 2006 after her breakthrough running season and hopes to return strong in 2007. Dathan Ritzenheim suffered his third lifetime stress fracture at 21 just before the Athens Olympics 10,000 and took a DNF. Khalid Khannouchi has been struggled with chronic foot and knee injuries since 2003 and is hoping to be back in this years Olympic Trials.

Injury management and avoidance is as much a part of running as shoes. It is certainly as much mental as physical.