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Original poster

what could a personal trainer do for my running?

32 replies

Mitchy1nge · 24/10/2014 12:40

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)

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Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 05/11/2014 21:32

think I will have the strongest bum in the world, ever, am quite excited about that, apart from some snivelling that was fun

(and will have a left leg that is the strongest limb in the world ever)

my homework is not very exciting, it is mainly to try to use my heels more when I'm walking but later (after next two races) she will come out and run 5k with me and wants to work on heel striking - or at least use of heel as only my right one touches the ground and not every step Confused and this is v unhelpful for my calves and achilles

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actiongirl1978 · 28/10/2014 17:41

Ooh that is great Mitchy! So glad you got a positive outcome after the umming and ahhing. Its completely addictive. I have had 9 sessions with another 11 paid for and I am already slightly panicky about what I will do when they run out, presumably I will need to join the boring gym and self motivate!

I bet that by Xmas you will feel super strong!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 28/10/2014 17:21

I really liked the PT I saw today, she has a special interest in rehabilitative type training and got the measure of me and various of my old injuries very quickly. Am going to work with her once a week for three months which will take me beyond next hm and hopefully get all my weak areas nice and strong ready for Project Serious Mileage and maybe a marathon.

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Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 27/10/2014 13:19

I wish there was one closer to me, but am kind of tempted by a short course at Champneys (Tring) I bet it is £ouch but could be so worth it

nothing is more liberating than overcoming a phobia, which is lucky for me because I was born with thousands and I think water is one of the last to be fully tackled

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Suzannewithaplan · 26/10/2014 22:34

thanks will do!

pootlebug · 26/10/2014 13:20

Suzanne, it's worth keeping an eye on the website - I know he has run them this year all around the country, so might well do the same next year.

Suzannewithaplan · 26/10/2014 11:45

thanks for sharing that Pootle, I wish there was a shaw course near to me, I'd really like to get the bilateral breathing nailed!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 26/10/2014 11:40

pootle!

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Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 26/10/2014 11:40

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!)

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pootlebug · 26/10/2014 11:00

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.

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 25/10/2014 16:14

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 Blush but getting the hang of some weights, even once a week, will be cool

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actiongirl1978 · 25/10/2014 15:50

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!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 25/10/2014 09:44

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 Hmm '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

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standingonlego · 24/10/2014 23:26

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 ;)

Suzannewithaplan · 24/10/2014 23:23

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?

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 24/10/2014 21:20

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

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rhetorician · 24/10/2014 14:47

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

actiongirl1978 · 24/10/2014 14:39

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!

actiongirl1978 · 24/10/2014 14:37

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!

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 24/10/2014 14:30

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 Blush)

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Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 24/10/2014 14:28

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

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actiongirl1978 · 24/10/2014 14:26

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.

pootlebug · 24/10/2014 14:26

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.

Original poster
Mitchy1nge · 24/10/2014 14:22

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 Confused but I suppose any reasonably qualified one could help me with weights

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actiongirl1978 · 24/10/2014 14:19

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