Fridays always seem to trick me – I think I have more time than other days and then I just don’t, I wind up rushing around and then realize it’s almost dinner time and I haven’t yet blogged or emptied the dishwasher. Oops on that, I hope I learn.
I have no exciting yoga selfies for you, I think the whole yoga selfie posing thing burnt me out and was even causing me to overstretch. Because the self timer has limits, I was trying to get into poses way too quickly and not “mindfully” or with care the way I naturally would, and then coming out of them too quickly as well.
I’ve been thinking quite a bit about stretching this week. I’ve always been an “over-stretcher” where stretching is concerned, I mean does that surprise you at all? When I was 12 I pulled my left hamstring pretty badly by going down into a split when I had no business doing that, and I made it worse by not stopping, either in that moment or in the weeks to come.
I wound up having to stop all activities for probably a month (it’s hard to remember) but that was only at the point where I was limping and couldn’t physically pull it together. Now that I actually write it down, it’s sounding really similar to my big running injury in 2013! I guess you could say I’m prone to ignoring pain.
I also pulled my lower back in gymnastics at age 13 doing a front handspring on the vault. It was in the middle of a class and I was too embarrassed to tell anyone that I was in EXCRUCIATING pain, so managed to again hold it together for a while. At least that time I remember refusing to backbend for a few weeks, but, seriously, what the heck is wrong with me?! My only defense is that my mom told me she did the same thing when she was a cheerleader – pulled a hamstring and told no one. As if that sort of behavior is woven into our DNA threads somewhere. Who knows. I’m realizing now that my my left hamstring and lower back are weak points in my body even now, leftover from those injuries that are 20 years old.
Anyway, what I’m saying I guess is that I don’t want to do anything stupid like hurting myself doing yoga, so I’ve been focusing on stretching more mindfully and not pushing the stretch too far. I’ve always wondered how other people approach stretching, where they consider the “limit” to be. I know I tend to want to push limits in all areas, I do not want that to happen with yoga, that is SO not the point!
Here’s what went down this week –
Monday – No running, 55 minutes Yoga for Core – Tim Senesi in the early morning. Not sure I’ll do this one again, I like his 45 minute Vinyasa Flow better. I would consider this class intermediate.
Tuesday – 7 miles, hilly route in the early morning.
At 10:30 am I tried out Ashtanga Yoga for Beginners on Do Yoga With Me. Not sure Ashtanga is for me, or that I’m even ready for it. Then again it might have been the instructor, I found her a tad irritating and I’m not sure why! While this is an intro to Ashtanga, the class was similar to a long intermediate. The video length takes into account 10 minutes of Savasana.
Wednesday – 6 miles, easy in the early morning.
At 11am I did Yoga for Surfers (because, of course.) I really picked it based on the length and out of curiosity, and I would consider it beginner-intermediate level, and there’s a lot of alignment instruction.
Thursday – 5 miles easy in the early morning.
At 11am I decided to try another beginner Ashtanga class, this Ashtanga Yoga One Hour Intro Class with Lesley Fightmaster. For some reason, maybe because I knew exactly what to expect after Tuesday, or maybe because of Lesley, I enjoyed this a lot more. Maybe it was my mood on that day, but I liked knowing exactly what’s going to happen. I’ll give it another try, for sure.
Friday – Mentally I was feeling tired of running since this was the 4th day in a row, but since I have to do my long run Sunday, I decided to get in a 5 mile easy run in the early morning.
At 11am, I did a very slow and gentle practice, Yoga for Strength and Focus. It definitely worked the legs a bit with holding lunges, but overall much more gentle than what I’ve been doing.
Saturday – No running, planning for an hour of yoga in the morning.
Sunday – Long run day, although I’m not sure if it will actually be “long.” I’m thinking 9 or 10 miles, and not a step more! On long run days I usually do a quick “yoga for runners” stretching routine and call it a day.
What’s coming up – Next Saturday I’m running a 10k! I have NOT been running fast or “training” for a 10k (or anything, besides life I suppose) so I don’t know what my time will look like, and I don’t care. It will be fun to get a short race in, and I’m just hoping for good weather!
How were your workouts this week?
Do you tend to over-stretch or under-stretch? How do you know your stretch-limit?
I tried a couple of your yoga recommendations! I forget which ones (they were the easy beginner ones) and I liked one of them enough to play around some more – thanks! As for stretching, I am so not flexible so I can’t really push it without breaking in half lol. I do think I am getting a bit more flexible though from all my Pure Barre which most people would still not consider flexible lol.
Very cool! I would think Barre would be challenging your flexibility a bit.
I used to be so flexible and stretch all the time. I spent ages 3-18 dancing so my motto was the more flexible the better. Now things are much different and I don’t really feel like stretching does anything. I have good range on motion but certain areas just always feel tights I feel like foam rolling helps more than stretching, so I focus on that more these days.
I agree about the foam roller, there are spots like hamstrings and hips for me that only seem to feel better after rolling.
I’m actually a really bad at stretching. I get super bored and antsy. It’s definitely something I need to work on. Luckily I haven’t gotten injured!
No injuries means you’re doing something right though 🙂
I feel like you and I are on the same wave length these days Michele. My trainer said this exact thing to me the other day. I have an intense personality and always trying to push myself harder and harder. She had a stern talk with me about being gentle with my strength and stretching exercises. Since I’ve pulled back in my intensity, I’ve noticed a big difference. Sometimes taking a step back leaps you forward! As for Fridays, I have the same problem. I’m in slow motion being tired from the week. I blame it on that.
Pulling back is definitely counterintuitive for us! Definitely helpful though, at least we know we have this tendency and it’s not necessarily a good thing all the time.
I learned from yoga that you must build your way to muscle stretching by pacing, breathe-connecting and structuring your pose sequence: one soft stretch leads to a longer and stronger one, without sidestepping the progress.
On the contrary, most post run stretching routines just show some poses that look unconnected, unpurposeful and too strong to perform on an unprepared tendon or ligament.
I rarely do stretches post run and I feel fine with my morning Ashtanga routine: I still get surprised by how easy a stretch that seems impossible at the start of a practice becomes at the end of my sequence.
I was very glad to hear of my beloved Lesley Fightmaster: she’s my very favourite and I love everything about her: her voice, her perfect timing of poses, her quiet layout, her adorable giggles every now and then…
She’s the perfect personification of yoga frame of mind for me.
Happy running, Michelle!
I will definitely be doing more from Lesley! I agree her voice is so soothing. I feel like I’m learning a lot about stretching, strength, connection to breath through yoga, but I have so much more to discover. That’s one of the fun things about starting something new 🙂 I do feel like post run I NEED to stretch, even if it’s just a forward fold and deep squat in the shower! My hamstrings, hips, and lower back get pretty tight.
I tend to not stretch at all! The thought is there but I never really follow through. I am really excited to try to do yoga once a week. Loved your post on the different links for different levels of yoga.
I find stretching sort of addicting and notice the tight spots after running more so when I’m stretching regularly. That’s a great goal of once per week!
I did 13.1 on Tuesday. Felt awesome. A hilly 4 on Thursday and 6 today. Feeling good! Planning to do 15 on Tuesday the furthest I’ve run in awhile. Enjoy reading!
Oh and I never stretch. Probably bad I’m sure but in the past I’ve felt like when I do it makes my legs feel tight on my next run.
Interesting! I think when I was out of the stretching habit I didn’t even notice or feel like I needed to, but when I’m stretching regularly I notice tightness a lot more.
Feeling awesome on a long run is one of the best feelings ever I think! Good luck with the 15 🙂
this is such a great post – but 1st of all have a great 10K next weekend! that’s exciting and sounds fun. i really hope you feel amazing and love every moment 🙂
stretching has always been a question mark for me – i used to stretch so much every day and night, but as i got older and busier and pressed for time, i stretched less. i have not been able to determine if stretching has helped me or hindered me but i do believe in dynamic warmups and cool downs and certain exercises. i think i need to be warmed up to stretch and be careful not to overdo because i am actually quite flexible in my hips, but this is just a red flag that i have pay attention to.
i’m currently using my TheraBand right now for all of my hip exercises and have been stretching just a little. so far so good!
I really don’t know how good stretching is for my running, but I do like the feeling of stretching and flexibility in general, so, I will continue! I agree that being warmed up is important though, and makes a big difference for me! I love stretching/yoga after a run!
im an understretcher. mostly due to lack of time (see your post from today – LOL!). its actually a new years resolution of mine that i have been doing so so on. i try to right before i go to bed stretch for 10 mins which sometimes i do well at and others i basically sit in half pigeon play candy crush : )
i do yoga at least 1x per week but need to add in some home practices i think. when i can find TIME ! im not going to be cognizant of how much i saw this after your post !!!! thanks for that : )
Too funny! And I have no time for a 2 minute daily plank, I think I actually told myself that once 😉 I’m wondering if this post actually wound up leading to my thoughts over the weekend – sounds like it might have 🙂
I’ve been trying to focus more on Yoga these last few months and am so careful to not injure myself! Since running takes priority, I’d have to pull a hammy during yoga and not be able to run! Overall though, stretching has helped me become a stronger, injury free runner!
MB
I can relate – I would NOT be happy if I got injured doing yoga. That would just be ridiculous! Glad to hear you feel it’s helped you 🙂