As you may know, I’m going to try run a sub 3:20 marathon with 90 days training. This won’t be easy. I have run sub 3:30 before but I’m trying to find my mojo again and setting such a target may seem unattainable, but I love challenges which seem impossible.
Running alone won’t get me there. Sure, I have to train nearly every day, eat well and make sure I recover correctly, but the body needs more than just that. As all runners know, your core is a vital part of your body when you’re pushing yourself during a race. I’m hoping to research as much as I can, try out different work outs and share the good ones on Run Republic for you to try out.
Today, I’m trying out core training by doing planks and side planks. Oh yes, that joyous feeling of laying down your matt, setting a stop watch and wondering just how could 45 seconds be so long!! I have also stopped using the gym recently so I’m going to try base all my work outs off body weight exercises and how to possibly make them harder as time goes on.
So how do you do a plank? It’s pretty straight forward
-
- Start by getting into a press up position like in the image above.
- Bend your elbows and rest your weight on to your forearms and not on your hands.
- Your body should form a straight line from shoulders to ankle
- Engage your core by sucking your belly button into your spine
- Hold this position for the prescribed 30 seconds to a minute.
As you get better you increase the time. Let me know how you get on or if you have other core exercises you use
