How are you running and still using Beachbody?
I’ve been getting this question A LOT lately, so I thought I’d share what’s working for me personally. Take it with a grain of salt and tweak to your body’s needs and goals.
I have been following a 20 week ramp up training regimen; the thought of doing a half was a mental battle so this allowed me to get in shape physically AND mentally. I mean – who actually sits down and goes “HEY! You know what would be a BLAST? To run for two hours straight without stopping?” IT’S JUST NOT NORMAL. So if you’re like ME, and that thought terrified you, I highly suggest a longer training window so you can gain confidence AND avoid injury.
The plan I personally followed is listed at the bottom of the blog gang!
(Side note, want to know how I got talked into this craziness? Of course you do.)
“We’ll get brunch and mimosas after!” – from my best friend Trisha.
WE COULD HAVE DONE THAT WITHOUT PAYING TO RUN 13.1 MILES. And yet, here I am like, SURE WHY NOT? WHERE’S THE LINK TO SIGN UP?
There better be a helluva lot of champagne post run. And maybe someone to carry me to my car. Is that an option when I pick up my bib?
ANYWAYS. I personally LOVE to lift, so giving up my heavy lift days wasn’t going to be an option. I’ve been working out consistently for quite some time so my body was already used to intense workouts and double days; whereas yours might not be. Listen to your body and make modifications to ensure your getting enough rest in between workouts and avoiding burnout.
On the shorter run days the first four weeks (2-4 miles) I still did a Body Beast or Hammer & Chisel lift FIRST, then followed with my run. You should aim to do your strength training first to ensure you have proper form and avoid injury. On the days off from my runs I’d lift and do a HIIT workout after (I utilized Turbo Fire HIIT 15) – this helped my endurance and stamina I found in my runs. I’d typically take one day off to rest or stretch.
As I got farther along into my training and my mileage increased I began to lift only 3 days a week and typically only on my off days. I upped my weights and made sure to stretch WELL after I lifted to keep my muscles loose and limber. I’ve kept my LONG runs for the weekends (10-12 miles) because I’ve found I’m just whooped afterwards and NEED to be able to relax after. I’m legit tired after, this past weekend I took a two hour nap after I ran. Oops.
Injury Prevention Tips –
Everything hurts and I’m dying. Yes. Yes, you are. It’s fine. It’s totally fine. Insert motivational Instagram quote here “Pain is weakness leaving the body” – Nope, it’s still here, the pain is still here. And you sickos want me to run six miles tomorrow.
I GOT YOU.
PIYO, Yoga and stretching are a MUST. I’ve been aiming to stretch well before and after each run, and adding in PIYO or Yoga twice a week. My hamstrings were KILLING me the one night and I tried PIYO and it was like life was breathed back into my legs. I’m like oh heyyyy, I can move again! Back to running we go!
Foam rolling will become your BFF too, I found mine on Amazon (aka, THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH) and use it daily. It’s like a mini massage for your muscles and helps to loosen up knots and tightness you’ll most likely experience. The one I use is listed below if you don’t want to waste time searching and adding useless things in your cart like I do. (Why do they give you that option at the bottom of the page “Hey you might also enjoy this ..” WHY YES I WOULD. ADD TO CART. And suddenly I own three pages worth of things I never knew I always needed.)
I’m in the home stretch of my training, eleven days until race day (Excuse me while I go die) and I’m focusing on listening to my body and taking it easy. Here’s to 13.1 miles, brunch and mimosas.
https://www.halfmarathons.net/20-week-half-marathon-training-schedule/
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