Need a Running Break? Walking and Yoga are Your Friends

As some of you may know, I’ll be running the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 5K on May 23rd.  I wouldn’t quite say I’ve been training as I run 5K all the time, but I have been out running quite a bit over the past few weeks.

I’ll be running more and more outside as the mercury blissfully climbs past 0ºC, taking advantage of warm temperatures, sunny skies and fresh air.

With all of the training comes a little burnout, especially if you are training for long distance runs such as half-marathons and full marathons. What to do when this happens?  Take some scheduled breathers.

Small running breaks, usually defined as a break of less than two weeks, is pretty beneficial for runners. You gain strength and lessen injuries by taking some time off.  Breaks also allow you to  put your training program into perspective.  It gives you a chance to stop obsessing over pacing, intensity and mileage.  I know that when I run, I tend to worry about running too slowly. When I take a break and look over my training log app (Runkeeper is my favourite), I see that I’m usually running faster than I thought.

I’ve recently incorporated a little yoga into my running routine.  And by “a little” I mean two classes over the past month. Terrible, I know. There is a well-known yoga studio in my neighbourhood by the name of Mountain Goat Yoga.  They have recently renovated their studio and really wanted to see the overhauled space.  I popped in a did a Goodnight Yoga session.  It was lovely.  I felt like a new person afterwards!  The space was soflty lit with tea candles all over the studio and music played very softly as we meditated and completed gentle, soothing poses.  It was such a nice change from the treadmill!

I also have been ramping up my long walks. I try to get out every lunch hour to take an hour long walk along the lake near my workplace and along the Rideau Canal.  My lunch hour walking route is about 3K.  It is such a great way to clear the head while getting some exercise.  A couple of times a week, I will also walk 8K from my workplace to the Rideau Centre – a mall in downtown Ottawa.  Those walks are my absolute favourite.  I’ll take my time walking, listening to music, taking in the sites and I feel like a million bucks when I’m finished.  It’s also a great opportunity to peoplewatch as everyone comes out of hibernation in April to take advantage of the warmer weather.  There will be hordes of runners, walkers, rollerbladers and cyclists.

Here are some  pics I took of my lunch hour walk yesterday.  I feel more calm and centered just looking at them.

Enjoy!

How do you guys take a breather from running?  Long bike rides?  Doing nothing in front of the TV?  Shopping?  Haha! Please share in the comments!

xo,

Dominique