running

Possible Final Challenge

Okay, so last week I had no idea what I was going to do for my final challenge and now the possibilities seem endless. A friend of mine is doing an indoor triathlon and while I didn’t have any interest in swimming or biking this is a very “easy triathlon” in that you can swim the breast stroke and the bike is stationary. It is the only type of triathlon I think I’ll ever do. It will be a challenge for me in that I’ll be doing some activities that aren’t up my alley. Then there is the American Lung Association Climb for Air Charity Event in Hartford. You climb 21 flights of stairs. Although technically this is March 31^st (after my birthday so it wouldn’t be part of my 30^th year). And there is still the chance it might snow and I could do something that involved cross country skiing.

Which do you think would be the biggest challenge?

Possible Final ChallengeMaggie Downie2014-08-04T18:02:35-04:00

Better Run, Better Run: Food for A Better Run

I am not a dietician, but I’m interested in food and nutrition and how food affects our ability to move and feel good. So my first half marathon this year, as is suggested by many people, I laid off salty, greasy, cheesy food and had carbs and protein for lunch the day before and a light dinner the night before. I ate half a bagel with peanut better the morning of the race because I knew I wouldn’t be able to wait until 9:30 to eat breakfast. By mile ten my gut was pretty unhappy with me.

A couple weeks later I met some runners for a 12-mile practice run. The day before I’d eaten almost everything the Big-E has to offer including a bacon-cheese-burger on a donut. I thought I was in it for it, but I felt fine.

The night before my most recent half marathon, I’d planned to eat a light dinner, but I didn’t get home from work until 8pm I was starving and had called home to ask Matt to have pizza waiting […]

Better Run, Better Run: Food for A Better RunMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:41-04:00

Race Day

There is nothing you can do now. You’ve done all the preparing and you’ve eaten what you’re going to eat. Try to relax and take a few deep breaths before you take off. In Pilates we are always trying to control movement, but you simply can’t always control the body.

You have given it all the preparation you can and you have to trust in that. How running feels today, how dinner reacts, and whether or not you need to make a pit stop is somewhat out of your hands. Run and have fun. Good luck Hartford Half and Full Marathoners. Have a great run!

For information on Personal Euphoria & Evolution Pilates upcoming runner’s workshop click here.

Race DayMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:41-04:00

Run Your Butt Off

When you run, you should run your butt off—literally. It is the largest muscle in your body: USE IT. That muscle should give you the burst on each step. It should be what springboards you into your stride, especially going up a hill.

For information on Personal Euphoria & Evolution Pilates upcoming runner’s workshop click here.

Run Your Butt OffMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:41-04:00

Five Standing Exercises for Runners

Today we are posting two videos for runners. The first is a how-to of five different exercises and the second is less than five minutes long and I do the same exercises without explaining them so that you can do them with me as a routine.

These are five standing exercises, so they are great for right after a run. You can even keep your shoes on. Once you get the hang of it, you can do these exercises anywhere—while pumping gas, waiting for the microwave, or waiting in a line at the supermarket (and some of them are so subtle you may not even get any funny looks). The exercises challenge your balance while working your hip stabilizers, abs, and glutes.

For info on our upcoming runner’s workshop click here.

Personal Euphoria

Five Standing Exercises for RunnersMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:41-04:00