Pilates a Secret Running Weapon

From 1:28 Half Marathons to 3:46 Fulls: Pilates as My Pace Booster

Step away from the computer, for just a moment!

Go for a walk, run, exercise the body. And whilst you're doing that you will find yourself thinking differently about your work.

Honestly, it does work. I used to have all my ideas whilst out running.

I started running about 23 years ago.

Initially a Sunday morning jog with the girls from the village. Before I knew it, these runs became a daily ritual. The route? A 6-mile "block" right outside my door, and then three more right turns - making a perfect rectangle through the local roads. I could do four right turns in the whole 6-mile run.

This daily commitment ended with me/us tackling half and full marathons, clocking in some decent times for someone whose training comprised running with the girls and daily runs.

“Yes, I clocked 1 hour 28 minutes for a half and 3 hours 46 minutes for a full marathon, in my mid-40s.”

But there was another piece to my training puzzle: Pilates. I never stretched enough after running - always rushing to work or do other things in life, so my Pilates poses weren't perfect, but the core workouts were a game changer. They helped me maintain my posture, especially during long runs.

The real takeaway for runners? A strong core is your best friend. It keeps you upright and running efficiently, long after others might start slouching from fatigue. You'll often notice tired runners leaning forward, trying to drag themselves along. That's a sign of a weak core.

Pilates taught me to lead with my core, not my shoulders. The girls in the village got bored of me saying we have to run up the hill driving through our hips and core, not our shoulders!!!

This small shift made a huge difference in my running. Leading from the core helped me get up those hills - and after I kept telling myself to push from the hips it started to feel easier and more natural to let my legs and hips do their job, propelling me forward without unnecessary strain.

So, if you're into running and looking to improve, consider adding Pilates to your routine. It's not just about building strength; it's about running smarter and with better form. Trust me, your body will thank you, and you might just find yourself hitting new personal bests without pushing your body to its breaking point.