Core Muscle Training

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Core Muscle Training

OldManRunner
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
Rochester, NY
Joined: 28 Nov 2004
Posts: 262

Core Muscle Training Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 7:57 am

Does anyone here do much in terms of core muscle training, and if so, do you feel it contributes much to your running success? I've read that strengthening your core muscle groups helps you to maintain pace and form as exhaustion is setting in during longer races, so I know that I should be doing more crunches and stuff, but I hate crunches so I'd prefer to have someone tell me it's really worth the effort before I subject myself to them! If you think they're a good idea, what other exercises do you do? Any recommended reading? I know Pfitzinger recommends "Stronger Abs and Back". Anyone read it, and is it any good?

Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

Re: Core Muscle Training Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 11:04 am

I used to do them, but stopped. I think you'll probably get many of the same core strength improvements just from running, but it will happen much faster if you do specific core muscle exercises. The decay of form as exhaustion sets in is very real, at least for me. Whenever I see photos of myself from late in a race, I'm always amazed at how hunched over and generally terrible I look.

sfird
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
Long Island, NY
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 80

Re: Core Muscle Training Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 10:48 am

I do crunches. Although I have nothing to compare it to I believe they work for me. While not a core muscle, at my last marathon my shoulders were by far my most tired body part towards the end of the race. I've now added some light upper body workouts to try and avoid this in the future. I think that the bottom line is that our legs get the greatest benefit from training and that we need to do some additional types of training to keep everything in balance.

onyourleft

Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 10

Re: Core Muscle Training Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 11:01 am

i'm no coach & can't give you a reason to do them - except that every coach i've had has included core strength exercises in the schedule. even after weight lifting is cut out during race season the core exercises remain. daily stretching is the other biggie.

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