Tag: running

Virtually

Virtually

Gio

The drop phrase for 2020 is ‘Virtual’. Yup, you read it right. I began to see this as a trending subject mid year 2019 while training for some races in the U.S. Virtual racing was not starting out, it was gaining speed.

Run to the Moon, run across the U.S., and all virtual. Solo, partnered, or Team. You choose how you want to do it as long as it gets done. Run, train, run, sign up, get a virtual and printable certificate of completion and some cool swag. Maybe even a really nice collectible medal to boot, or trophy if you raced in an Elite category.

I don’t know about you, but lacing up and pinning my bib on race day and walking into a starting line with other runners to gauge my competition – nothing like it in the world! It is however our reality. Would I race as I’ve raced before? Yes. I maybe alone on that starting line, but it is my choice how I live my life.

I love going for my runs, training in the park alone or with my fiance. I get weird looks now as I did before this ‘pandemic’ was here so I’m okay with it. I’m not okay with people being socially isolated, and not having a true outlet. Yes, I have made a choice to be active and to remain active regardless. Others have also made a choice to not be active. I get it. We are adults and as such we live with our choices, and also be it as it may die by them.

Being active provides me the opportunity to be healthy both mentally, and physically. How can we reach out to others to have what we have? Well, all it takes is honestly a wave when you’re running, or a funny remark while you’re suffering in the park while you workout to show that there is something that seems doable, or attainable to anyone because you made them feel like a human, made them smile or even laugh and now they’re intrigued about what you are doing.

There may be a possibility of them watching How To videos on exercise without equipment, or finding a running club or even ‘Virtual’ coaching. That’s where I come in, yes I do virtual / Remote coaching. Have been doing it for some time, and it is not going to go anywhere anytime soon. It’s actually going to pick up momentum as time goes by.

So, what are your thoughts on ‘Virtual’ coaching, racing? How will you motivate yourself, then others to help them become better versions of themselves in this environment we find ourselves in?

I’ll see you soon,

G

p.s. I’m actually contemplating signing up for some virtual races. What are you running/racing this summer?

Keep moving, mental health is your reward

Keep moving, mental health is your reward

Gio

The continuing order to endure enclosed spaces for most people means a lot of time spent being either complacent in their life’s choices, or deliberate on staying focused and active. Which are you?

Well, for starters I like being active. I love to workout, mostly outdoors with my ruck, kettlebell, sandbag, hilly area or just a trail. Either way, I can make it work also at home since exercise is not exclusive to either out of doors or indoors in the context of moving. Complexity is not useful, simplicity is the norm.

Using basic movement patterns of push/pull, press, extension, flexion, and rotation you can basically move in any pattern that your body can get into without much effort, but the magic in that pudding is the amount of times you perform it, and frequency with a good serving of either resistance, time or speed.

Look around your environment right now. Where are you seated? Let’s begin with a simple chair, either folding, fixed four legged model with or without padding. Pry it up against a wall and you can use it for squats if you’re learning to sit and stand again for rehab or prehab. Squats once more if you are trying box squats with a weight to a prescribed depth. How about upper body work by performing dips, on one chair while legs are elevated on the other, or push ups with feet atop of seat while hands are on floor?

Core work? Sure, lets try this: Sit ups with elevated feet on the seat portion of the chair, plank holds in same manner, or glute work like butt biters- where your butt raises from the floor while feet (heels) remain on seat portion of chair for multiple reps. Bridges (one legged) with heels in the same place (atop of seat) go for multiple reps/sets. You see that it’s just imagination that is the limiter.

Food items – no, not raw food like chicken or frozen fish. I’m talking about canned foods, and there are plenty of sizes and weights to use for exercises. Cans in a backpack/rucksack wrapped in a towel so it doesn’t jostle around in the pack while you exercise with it. You can run with the pack, squat it, swing it, plank with it and press it. Imagination once again is your limiter. Indoors/Outdoors are your playground.

Just because you’re asked to stay home does not mean you should be sedentary. You need to keep moving, because mental health is not a given. You’ll need to make the effort to sweat a little and get the benefits you so desire.

Happy Easter All!!

Butt biters, dips, hill bear crawls, ground to overhead, and team squats!

Planning and executing

Planning and executing

Gio

I’ve spent the past two weeks prepping, doodling, writing, and finalizing a 12 week running program. Of course it’s nothing too detailed since it’s going to be presented as an outline for the participants at the gym for those that want a goal race after the 12 wk program runs its course

The focus of the program is really how to teach/instruct clients on the basics of running technique. I teach clients to improve their hip strength, hamstring pull, and make less noise while running. This is not a Big deal for veteran runners unless they themselves have some chronic pain, or need to improve their running technique where I am asked to assess/evaluate then proceed to have them work on re-learning how to move with one skill at a time.

Getting outside and running is a great release for many involved, and stress relief if you’re not training for a coming race is something they look forward to. There are times when a direct correlation of following a plan reduces the stress involved as to what distance, or focus points one should cover is not something they have to worry about. They just follow the plan, execute the drill and are non to displeased to find themselves running better and finding that there is enjoyment to be had.

What do you look forward to when you train, whether it be in the gym, or outdoors? Is it the physical aspect of doing something, or a mental release that you actually look forward to when you participate in such endeavours?

Go out, find what makes you happy while being in the moment to find release in the physical realm, or a mental check. Emotionally, I believe both the psyche and physical exertion work on releasing such toxicity at times that I look forward to the iron game and really let out my anger, or sadness during and intess bout of lifting/CF.

While running, I entertain my past running career. Racing both in road/trail races and how they both are similar in a small way and differ greatly depending on distance and location of course. Who can beat a trail race with great scenery? While running along the Chicago lakefront really is a fantastic treat as long as you’re not being run down by the idiot bike riders!

Go out, train, have fun both in the box or outdoors.

My Prio shoes. Excellent zero drop shoes I've run with, and have even grabbed for my HIIT/CF WOD's

See you soon,

G