what could a personal trainer do for my running?

[Mitchy1nge]

for most things I'm pretty self-motivated already but have always wanted to add some actual weights and get into at least some sort of upper body/back routine, not knowing how to correct my own form or even where to start (I HATE THE MACHINES) puts me off so far

at most I have at most about an hour a week to spend on this imaginary venture, or I give up/cut back on my great love yoga (life is cruel)

[rhetorician]

probably not that much - in my experience PTs usually know shag-all about running, unless you're using it as high intensity work. There are some great apps that can teach you (with pictures) how to use free weights if you hate the machines. Free weights are better anyway. Try Human Kinetics

[Mitchy1nge]

thanks, will look that up (how's your toe?)

might try a freebie session but am scared of whatever mad gimmicky thing they will be obsessed with at the time

[rhetorician]

toe much better thanks! amazing that you remembered. I chipped a bone in it, the bit floated about, caused an infection. But did a very easy 3 miles this morning that seemed fine. Will wait to see if it blows up to twice its size again

[Mitchy1nge]

Yay good news!

I have quite a good memory for weirdness especially medical flavoured, just bumped into a dr friend in town and was asking them if they'd ever heard of post-void ejaculation, they hadn't but were incredibly interested, despite being a paediatrician. (it's where jizz like stuff comes out after a wee, there is also a similar thing that can happen during a poo where it massages the prostate gland on the way down and triggers the release of some prostatic fluid - sounds fun!)

[Mitchy1nge]

(not to be confused with retrograde ejaculation)

[actiongirl1978]

Loads! I have a great PT in Hampshire who is also a runner (I chose him pretty much based on this). He has done three or four running sessions with me, looking at my technique, but he has also strengthened my legs - I assumed because I ran my legs were strong, but some muscles were great, others super weak.

My PT is not obsessed with any mad gimmicky things, well he did have me rolling around on top of a golf ball in a pub carpark after one of our countryside runs, but that was to release some muscle pain in my thighs!

He is encouraging and supportive and I can ask him loads of daft questions without looking like a loon. He is really good at his job, and best of all, he managed to find my core which I lost somewhere in 2007.

I just booked a second lot of 10 sessions and honestly need to win the lottery so he can exercise me 3 times a week and I don't need to worry about the cost.

I googled loads of them first, some were like iron man types, some clearly very pleased with their own image, the one I chose has been overweight, now a PT and also teaches pilates so lots of the exercises are pilates based. He also isn't obsessed with his image!

[actiongirl1978]

Oh I also hate the gym, it bores me rigid and I stick to the 4 things I was shown on my first gym induction 15 yrs ago. My PT has shown me how to do new stuff, including using a ball and a band which I can then do at home. Also on Friday I suggested we go outside as it was warm and we did a great circuits session on a sports pitch using ankle weights and medicine ball with me getting completely covered in mud and I was DEAD on Sunday morning, the best fun I had in ages and it works!

[actiongirl1978]

And my running has got faster and more efficient and I feel much more confident (which is why you asked the question I suppose!)

[Mitchy1nge]

it's partly your fault that I'm thinking (yet again) about a PT actiongirl, you were so enthusiastic on the winter exercise thread!

indoor stuff would be BLISS for me, I am outdoors all the time (which I start to hate the colder it gets but is my own fault for having horses etc) so yoga and gym are my only respite from the elements

I bet I won't find an inhouse PT that knows much about running but I suppose any reasonably qualified one could help me with weights

[pootlebug]

Are you a member of a running club? It might be a place where people could provide some advice on what to do to improve, as well as have people who could recommend a personal trainer if you still think you need one.

[actiongirl1978]

Mine is an indoor trainer as a rule, but is happy to go outside. Look for one who is training for the London Marathon like mine is!

I am in Hampshire if you want his name.


Also the Pilates training that he has helps a lot. He talks to me about pronation and strengthening quads etc which helps with the running. So if you can find someone who also teaches pilates that may be a starting point.

I should say I am not well off, (my personal trainer DAHLING etc) but we sold our house and moved and both had a bit of cash to splurge so I decided this might be a worthwhile way of doing it. As a guide I paid £270 for ten sessions.

[Mitchy1nge]

yeah, I do love my club but there are scheduling clashes in terms of most of their training nights and social runs although I try to stay involved at least virtually (is mainly helpful for reduced entry to stuff and discounts on physio and in some shops) but I could ask on their FB page, thanks pootle, good idea

[Mitchy1nge]

bit far away in Suffolk

but I have on my shortlist someone I met at the yoga studio, ex army trainer and huge yoga and pilates fan

am going to line up a free session with one of the gym ones and if that doesn't click I will explore my options (I'm actually really poor but can always find money for whatever my latest obsession is )

[actiongirl1978]

Mitchy, I am currently ebaying like mad to fund my new trainers that I NEED as I am convinced I twanged my arch last night. So I know what you mean, and frankly as obsessions go, keeping fit and healthy is one of the better ones!

[actiongirl1978]

And that army guy sounds perfect. I think Pilates has so much to offer runners. I generally feel stronger and if your posture is better then your running technique will be too. Must go and do something useful as the children are off today and I can't spend all afternoon on here, keep us posted on the trainer, we can have a PT thread comparing their skills and tips!

[rhetorician]

yes, I didn't mean to suggest that a PT has nothing to offer - on the contrary - I did something similar a year or so back and it was brilliant and really improved my running. But I did get a bit frustrated that they just didn't seem to "get" the importance say of long slow runs, or that for me, running 4 or 5 times a week WAS the goal. But I got very toned, and my running times did improve. You just need someone who gets that you run

[Mitchy1nge]

the only thing I know of that is guaranteed to help my running is:

To run
Consistently
Not too much

but I am preoccupied with the gap in my regime that is weights and I need to get some value from the gym now I've stupidly crawled back to the £££y one

[Suzannewithaplan]

Mitchy good luck with the gym PT session, there are a fair few on here who use weights so between us we may be able to help if there are things from the free session that you're not quite clear on?

[standingonlego]

I managed to find a great PT at my local chain gym who is a runner rather than a gym bunny. Really helped my core and general leg strength which has def pushed my running up. We never do just running on treadmill but sometimes do speed work and intervals. However, it is the free weights, kettle bells, tyre flipping, circuit / HIT type stuff that I would never attempt on my own that I really enjoy. I also have to report in on Parkrun ;)

[Mitchy1nge]

I'm going off the idea a bit after a chat with a member of staff about bringing in an external trainer - they were very 'nah mate, you have to use one of our own, but look there is a lovely selection to choose from' have set up an appointment with one sometime next week anyway

is like the ski-erg thing, I just have to ride out the wild urges to get one and remind myself that my longings will subside, my life will be ok without one and I won't be impoverishing myself unnecessarily

[actiongirl1978]

Hmm, I think that actually someone who can show you some good solid routines with free weights, kettle bells etc which you would then have the confidence to do on your own would be of value.

Like Standingonlego says, it is the circuit/core/leg strength work which is valuable to improve the running technique.

Also, if your gym based PTs are the same price as external, have an external session or two, they usually have all the same equipment like kettlebells etc and will be able to do a running session with you.

Though I applaud your 'calm down, wait and see' approach!

[Mitchy1nge]

my ideal personal trainer could help me swim too but I suspect that is a separate revenue stream for them which is fiercely protected!

I'm sure I could swim adequately if I could just get over my fear of drowning, even in a 1.2m deep pool but getting the hang of some weights, even once a week, will be cool

[pootlebug]

Mitchy - can you put your face in the water and glide forwards? (still within your depth so you could put your feet down if you wanted to)

If so, you could do the one-day front crawl course in Shaw Method swimming that I did a year ago www.artofswimming.com . i did it with Steven Shaw teaching it, he is an amazing teacher and I don't think I'm exaggerating to say it changed my life. I couldn't swim even one length of crawl and could count the number of times I've been swimming in the last 10 years on one hand, other than taking the kids. And I hadn't done any exercise in nearly 5 years.

By the end of the day I could swim front crawl, with pretty decent technique. By the end of the week I could swim 1000m+ at a time. And then because I could swim (and because my youngest child finally started sort-of sleeping) I figured I could try a triathlon. 1 year later and I've done 2 sprint triathlons, 2 olympic, and a half marathon. Every time I'm in the pool I LOVE how easy it feels to be able to swim and to glide in the water.

They also do lessons for water-phobic people if you can't manage to put your face in the water btw.

Sorry I am going on. They don't pay me, I promise. It just made such a difference to me! It isn't a cheap day but it's 9-5 of intensive tuition and the results make it work it.

[Mitchy1nge]

thanks Poitiers it sounds perfect, no unfortunately still a bit too phobic to put my face into water but I will get there (only taken 40+ yrs to get into public pools!)

[Mitchy1nge]

pootle!