Yin Yoga for Runners

When I was training for half-marathons last year, I experienced some major pain in my hips and hamstrings, and I eventually developed plantar fasciitis. It was not fun. 

Before I started training this year, I made a commitment to train with more intention to keep myself healthy and pain-free. My friend, Sarah, a yoga teacher and former long distance runner, suggested that I try yin yoga. 

Since I was already doing lots of flow yoga classes, I thought I would give it a try. Sarah gave me some poses to do at home, and I took her yin yoga class once a week. It has really helped prevent the tightness that I’ve had in the past during training!

So I asked Sarah to share some insight into why yin yoga is great for runners and the best yoga poses for runners….

Friday, April 1

Date night! The BF and I enjoyed dinner out together. We went to Market Grille and I had salmon over rice with grilled vegetables. It was delicious. Our schedules have been so opposite lately that we barely see each other. So this dinner was much needed!

Saturday, April 2

Breakfast was my usual oats with chia seeds, goji berries, cinnamon, pure vanilla extract, almond milk, honey and almond butter. 

We got ourselves together early and drove to Hastings. I went to a yoga class at Avani. The class was taught by Megan, and it was amazing! 

BIG NEWS!! I registered for yoga teacher training at Avani!! It starts in May. If you live in the area, this is an amazing opportunity! Most yoga teacher trainings are offered in Lincoln and Omaha and require tons of driving. It’s pretty awesome to have this opportunity in the middle of Nebraska. If you’ve ever been thinking about yoga teacher training, sign up now!

Then I met up with the girls (Meggan, Beth and Betsy) at Art Bar to plan our friend Russanne’s baby shower. Betsy had a matcha latte and I thought it was too pretty not to photograph. I had a boring iced coffee. 

It was fun to catch up with the ladies and do some party planning! 

The BF and I had some time to kill before visiting his grandma, so we grabbed lunch at the Bullseye. I had a grilled chicken breast, which I cut into pieces and added to a side salad. I also had sweet potato fries. I didn’t photograph it because it wasn’t very pretty. Then we walked around a park. 

I did random yoga poses. 

We visited with his grandma for awhile, then headed home. I had fun packages from Life’s Abundance and Stitch Fix waiting for me! I’ll share what was in my Stitch Fix later this week!

The weather was amazing, and I had a 3 mile run scheduled for my half-marathon training. So I asked my mom to join me on her bike for my run. It was great to catch up and have some company on my run. I recovered with my cherry Minerals and Antioxidants, which is absolutely delicious!

The BF met up with some friends from work, so I watched Real Housewives of Beverly Hills then made dinner – chicken thighs, roasted vegetables and quinoa. 

Sunday, April 3

I slept in because I didn’t sleep well and woke up feeling really tired, run down and headachy. But I made my pre-run breakfast anyway – scrambled eggs with turmeric and nutritional yeast, sautéed kale, brown rice and avocado. I also drank Vega Clean Energy.

I really really really didn’t feel like running. But I had 11 miles scheduled, so I got myself together and headed out. I felt terrible within the first mile, and wanted to walk. But I kept going.

I called the BF around mile 2 for a pep talk, but he didn’t answer. I started alternating between walking and running. I just felt like I didn’t have any fuel in my tank. My whole body felt tired and my head was pounding. 

By mile 3 I knew there was no way I could do 11 miles. I called the BF a few more times hoping he could come pick me up, but he didn’t answer (I later found out his phone was in another room and he never checked it). I turned around at 3.5 miles and ran/walked for another half mile. Then I just walked the 3 miles home. 

I don’t think I’ve ever felt that crappy during a run. It was probably a combination of 1) not eating enough and being pretty active the day before…and not eating enough carbs. 2) the weather being a bit warmer than it has been during my training so far. 3) not sleeping well. 4) negative mindset and negative thinking.

It took me an hour or two to get myself together after that run. I had a smoothie with almond milk, vegan vanilla protein powder, cocoa powder, coffee, banana and ice, and watched a bunch of episodes of Parks & Rec. 

I also had my Minerals and Antioxidant drink….along with some organic tortilla chips and avocado mixed with plain Greek yogurt and red pepper flakes. 

I finally got dressed and wore a maxi dress(!!!) for the first time this year. I love maxi dress weather! The BF and I picked up groceries. 

Then we went to Cottonmill to enjoy the warmer weather a bit more. 

I was still feeling kind of crappy, but I couldn’t pass up enjoying the sunshine a bit more. My “KALE” tank was custom made by 24 Hour Tees.

The BF went to a bar to watch a soccer game, and I watched a lot of episodes of Real Housewives before I made dinner – turkey burgers, roasted Brussels sprouts and asparagus and sprouted grain toast topped with avocado and red pepper flakes. 

I was finally feeling better by the end of the day. I feel like I need another day off to get to my to do list, but I’ll fit it into my week somehow!

How do you relax on the weekend?