Dear all:

I have just started training for my first full marathon in November in San Antonio, Texas. I have a few questions, which I hope you guys will be of help. These are:

1. Is Yoga advisable for runners? I want to do this as my crosstraing activity.

2. Does anyone know of a website that shows the appropriate weight training and nutrition programs for runners?

I would apprecite your inputs.

Regards.

Paul

Hi and good luck in training. Yoga is the best way to avoid injuries and strengthen your core. A strong back and midsection will help on those really long runs. Proper stretching in yoga will prevent some common injuries. I highly encourage it. runningguide.com has some useful information, but don't overdo weight training. When you are putting in 25 to 40 miles a week, that's about all your body can handle. Putting too much stress or strain will increase your chances of injury. Upper body work is fine to a point, but stay away from lower body workouts. It's too much. There is nothing worse than making the committment to do this, and then get hurt because you have overtrained yourself.

Good luck!

i have to say ... i've been doing yoga (hot yoga specifically) 3-4 times a week for almost a year now. it has been the perfect compliment to my training. not only does it offer an opportunity to loosen up and stretch all those muscles that are worked so hard in the long runs, but the focus and concentration on breathing in the practice truly enhances your mental capacity during a run - i've learned how to regulate my breathing and focus my breath enough to run through cramps and challenging uphill climbs. additionally, yoga fosters a body awareness that helps you pay more attention to aches and pains and helps you begin to distinguish what is simply challenging and what is actual pain - i.e., it helps you understand what your body can and cannot handle, which is definitely essential for injury prevention.

and, as a personal testimonial - i completely attribute the successful completion of my last two marathons to yoga. in fact, i just finished the ING Georgia marathon - where as of the day before i had only planned on running the half - but, thanks to an amazingly strong yoga class right before the race expo, i was feeling super and decided to switch the full marathon ... and ended up achieving a boston qualifying time. so, yes - i definitely recommend yoga as cross training activity for runner.