July 30th, 2010
So those hip exercises I linked to in the last post are da Bomb! I honestly didn’t think they’d do much for me, they seemed too easy and I’ve never lacked in the hip-action department (let’s just say I’m a really good dancer 
).
I did a sampling of them on Tuesday along with a few of these cool dynamic stretches, then I did the hip exercises before my interval session on Wednesday and by that evening, I was aching in places I didn’t know I had. I actually woke up in the middle of the night with my hips screaming at me. This a wonderful sign! It means I really do need them. The more I think about how it all connects to the core and posture and lengthening of the stride, the more excited I am to work on it.
Revealing my Ugly
Consider this a public service announcement. In some weird, twisted, masochistic way.
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flo,
i have followed your blogs and forum comments for a long time and enjoy your writing. i’ve never posted a comment before, but this one made my day and i had to respond. i could have made this video!!! i am forever looking to lose those “last 10″, mostly around the hips and thighs, but the wings are what drive me nuts. fear of waving at anyone is my middle age (46) phobia. so glad, in a sick sort of way, that i’m not alone! is there a club for us???
mollie
Always pictured you as more of an Elaine-from-Seinfeld dancer.
This routine looks similar to the MYRTL routine I should be doing to strengthen my hips.
http://www.runnerspace.com/video.php?do=view&video_id=8103
Mollie, too funny…a fellow Bingo Arm Syndrome Survivor.
I’m sure there’s a huge contingent of flappy ladies out there. Thanks for reading and commenting finally!
Todd, I’ll forgive you for that. One of these days, anyway. ;-)
Jenn, good video! Thanks.
that cracked me up, thanks!
haha this was exactly what i needed to laugh today
but i really love how honest you are in your posts and videos. you don’t b.s. us. and thanks for those core exercises. i’ve been WAY slacking in that department lately (ever since my trip) and hopefully i can use them to jump start my routine
Hilary, my pleasure! Well, maybe not exactly. :-)
Karyn, thanks sweetie, very nice sentiment there. My theory is that for all of our differences, we’re all really the same. So if I have these feelings about a body part, I know a zillion other people do, too. A “yeah, me too!” goes a long way.
I think that if you are doing some non-running exercises these are pretty good too.
http://www.runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=16625
(the first one is the MYTRL) the rest are strength
Hey Flo -
Midfoot strike and hip extension are the main two aspects of my new gait mechanics.
I too have notice a lot of new muscles involved in hip extension running – an easy run can feel like a strength workout when your muscles are new to the task. It does seem like a source of power waiting to be developed, so I’m psyched and optimistic it will pay dividends once it becomes strong and natural.
I am amazed at the millions of subtle tweaks one can to to their mechanics.
As for the weight/flab discussion – I must confess that I “look like a tendon” already!
- rovatti
Flo, purleaseeeee! Not while I’m eating my dinner! Actually, I’ve seen uglier fat than that — last time I was walking down the pier in Santa Monica
Seriously though, I’m thinking some targeted arm exercises (as well as losing the lbs) will fix that. Maybe dips or pull-ups? Thanks for the hip stuff too – I like those leg swings. Pretty sure my poor hip extension is holding me back (besides being generally out of shape).
Matt, nice exercises, thanks.
Rovatti, sounds like an excellent plan, really glad to hear the hip work is playing such a large role. I really had no idea how important it was!
Ewen, I was just waiting for someone to say that about exercises. I’ve been doing pushups and chinups for over a year and a half – that’s why they look good, aside from the waddle. If it hasn’t fixed it by now, it ain’t gonna! Good luck on hip stuff helping!
Actually, dips are what you need for the triceps (backs of the arms). See this video. If there’s an exercise track near home there might be a ‘dips station’ (uses bars for your hands to grip), which is more comfortable.
A coffee table or the edge of a couch works, too. If you’ve lived with these arms as long as I have, you know all the standard triceps exercises (dips, kickbacks, extensions, skull crushers, etc) own 4 sets of dumbbells and a couple arm specific exercise DVDs, too. Pushups work several muscles at once (including triceps) so I prefer it, even if it isn’t as targeted. Between core, hips, pushups and chinups, and now some upper back exercises, I’m at my limit of stuff I hate to do. And if it won’t help me run faster, fuggedaboutit! :-)
It won’t help you run faster, but you’ll look like some bad-ass triathlete on the start line
That a sincerely video and i like your open mind!.
If you can live whit it, it is nu problem and i think you can swim fast whit your arms ;-)(lol)….
Nice to see your video.
Rinus.
Ewen, true on dat! Might have to rethink the dips after all. Triatheles body’s rock!
Rinus…LOL!! You have a great point there.
I was so nervous watching the begining. I mean God only knew what you were going to show on that video. Whew! it was just your arms! I thought you were gonna show, well just thank God it was just your arms.