Barre Focus Fitness Archives - Run The Long Road Coaching

As per usual during race week, my productivity is at an all time low – except for Lysol wiping, hand sanitizing, and weather checking. I fully attribute my (heightened) germ neuroses for keeping me healthy. Matt is also feeling better too, so that helps.

As for weather, it’s looking rather unseasonable. Thankfully the race starts at 7AM and it doesn’t seem like the wind will be too bad. I’ll take it.

tank top and shorts weather!

Race goals? To run a sub-3:40. Same goal as I had for hotter-than-hell Boston this year. Simple and uncomplicated. Whatever the day brings I will try my best to go with it.

See ya on the other side folks!

PS – I need to pass along a message from my friends at Barre Focus Fitness. The grand opening celebration of their University City studio was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. Join them tomorrow night for 2 free classes! Details below…

WHAT: Barre Focus Fitness University City Grand Opening Celebration

Join the owners of BFF-UC for an official “Grand Opening” celebration! Complimentary classes offered at 6:30 & 7:45, accompanied by a champagne toast, yummy snacks provided by Pure Fare, and giveaways from local businesses

WHEN: Thursday, December 6^th, with FREE classes at 6:30 & 7:45

WHERE: Barre Focus Fitness University City
4145 Chestnut Street-2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA

Register at www.barreuniversitycity.com.

UPDATE: Due to Hurricane Sandy, the Grand Opening class for Barre Focus Fitness University City has been moved to Thursday, November 1 at 6:00PM.

Before January of this year, I hardly ever strength trained. I just wanted to run and not be bothered with anything else. But as I started to build my mileage up and run more marathons, I knew strength training was important but still couldn’t bring myself to consistently do it.

The more miles we run, the more we need to strengthen our bodies to support the added mileage. You can only avoid strength training for so long. Sooner or later, those twinges can turn into injuries.

Fearful that my many years of back-to-back training cycles and added mileage would sideline me, strength training was a must. My #1 criteria? It MUST accompany marathon training and not take anything away from it. I didn’t want my marathon training to suffer because of strength training. Running will always come first.

This immediately took CrossFit off the list. I’m highly skeptical that anyone can consistently do CrossFit and effectively train for a marathon. CrossFit is too intense and marathon training is too intense. You’re asking for burnout and injury.

I tried barre because it seemed to be a perfect fit. Highly effective yet low impact. No squatting, lunging, or weights (except for 2-3 lb hand weights). I was sore enough the next day to know it was effective but not too sore to get a training run in.

I equate barre to a ridiculously hard yoga class. It doesn’t send your heart rate through the roof but your muscles are definitely working. There are many times in class I need to rest for a few seconds so my legs can stop shaking.

I was lucky enough to find a great studio – Barre Focus Fitness – with amazing instructors. I only plug the things I’m truly passionate about on my blog and Barre Focus Fitness is one of them.

While I frequent their Haverford location, I’m excited that Barre Focus Fitness is branching out into Philly! If you live in the Philly area and want to try barre or are looking for something new join them for a free grand opening class on Halloween!

Do you strength train? Like barre? How about CrossFit (am I opening a can of worms with this one…I’m personally sick of hearing about it)?!

2 days

for the love of barre