I run in the morning so most of the time I get outta bed, sip iced coffee and check email while waking up for a few minutes. Then, I get out the door when my body is still pretty asleep and cold.
But I should warm it up a bit – especially as the weather is getting cooler. And I need to focus on doing more core to get my body ready for a tough racing season ahead. (I have a history of a sore core after long distance races.)
This short, sweet ab session will help warm me up a bit and hopefully be over before I fully wake up and realize what’s going on…
(Repeat 2x the first two weeks and then 3x two weeks. When it gets easy increase time to 45-60 seconds each.)
You can use this tabata timer and set it to 6 – 30 second intervals and do the plank 2x. Repeat.
Then, it’s time to get out the door for a run run run!
Question: How often do you do ab work?
I have really dropped the ball lately. I used to be super good about it in college and now I’m just letting it all go to shit. I want to get better so I’m going to try and incorporate it 3 times a week.
I’ve been trying to get back on the wagon. My goal is to circuit train twice a week with an ab video & then doing some free weights.
I see an advertisement for the Hot Chocolate Run here — are you running it?? 🙂
Ugh, core work is the bane of my existence. I just can’t get myself to do it! Even though I know it will help my running, my body totally rejects the idea – lol.
Everyday! After my workout or run.
I was doing ab work every other day but I feel off the bandwagon about a week ago…oops! got to get back to it!
I’ve been trying to do more ab work, lately. I use the Insanity Abs video. Very effective and no crunches!
I was doing a great job of getting in some sort of strength 2-3 times a week on top of running 6 days a week… but somehow I got out of the habit. This morning I woke up early before work to get it done!
I’ve been doing a yoga abs routine a few times a week. It’s been working well for me.
I do core work once or twice a week. I also run before dawn, but I’m usually very warmed up by the first mile.
I am a big planker! I love holding planks because I feel like it’s a good full body work out. I’m up to a static 6 minute hold…but I also LOVE doing abs mixed with cardio. So 10 minutes of: 1minute exercise (crunches, leg lifts, plank, etc), 30 second jumping jacks…until you reach 10 minutes. It definitely warms me up!
I always do ab work before my runs – in the gym or outside. It is a perfect way to warm up all over PLUS doing hard core ab/core work after my workouts – well, I am just stronger before I do anything. I even do some separate from my workouts at home while I watch the news. 🙂
I do some form of ab/core work 5 times a week.
I don’t do anywhere near enough!
This time last year, I was focused and doing strength work. Now, however, I’ve gotten lazy 🙁
I really should get back on it!
My core work has also gone down the drain, but I have really good intentions to do it after running. Pre-run abwork is a good idea!
I am actually pretty good about making time for core work. Even if its just a simple 8 minutes abs (hungry runner girl got me hooked on this vid) work out. My total slacker area is strength training. I am making time for that again though. goal is 2 x’s per week!
hungry runner girl got me hooked on this too! gotta love the neon spandex 🙂
I manage to get it in 3-4 times/week. I do a class one day/week, and then the other 2 or 3 days I most planks and crunch variations. It’s amazing how adding just a few minutes of ab work a few times per week really improves your running!
I get in the groove for a month or so and then totally fall off the bandwagon again for a few months. It’s a sick cycle. Thanks for the motivation.:)
I have been horrible at doing anything other than run. I recently signed up at a gym so I can go to classes and actually work on my muscles. Now I am doing total body work (which includes abs/core) 2-3 times per week. Bring on the muscles!
Great post! I actually posted about this today – I am doing ab work daily right now because I am injured and it is a great injury prevention! I hope to continue this even when I run again because there are so many benefits you can get from it!
I do the 1994 8 minute abs video that’s on youtube because let’s be honest nothing makes me want to work out more than wanting to fit into my leotard/leggings/belt workout outfit. That ensemble is not forgiving.
I love that!
In addition to running I do a full body workout (similar to crossfit) 4-5 times a week (1 hour each time). So, during training I am doing double-workout days most of the time. I definitely feel the difference – strong core and back!!!!
I used to be so good about it, planks every day. Then I stopped? Now slowly getting back. I really feel a difference in my running when I do core work consistently.
3x per week minimum for sure! Don’t neglect your core!! if you don’t have time before your run do those exercises in the evening while watching tv or something.. OR when you can’t peel your eyes off the blogosphere make yourself do core work before you allow more time on the internet haha 🙂
I seriously need to be working on core stuff, I get pretty sore after long runs too.
I go to a bootcamp/crossfit style class 2-3x/week that always incorporates some ab work. Otherwise it would never happen.
“I’ve just let it all go to shit” HAHA. I love your honesty. I do it quite a bit, now. I have it built into my new weight routine, which I do 4x a week. I even do a lot of my weight exercises, such as bicep curls, on one leg to make sure I’m always keeping my core tight.
I had always loved ab workouts, but recently I haven’t been incorporating them as much. I just started to as of last week and I love being sore from ab workouts! My reception dress for my wedding at the end of the month is custom made, so any bit of waist whittling will help that out!
Thanks for the post!
When I first started running I never did any ab work. Now I pretty consistently did it about 2 times a week. There is definitely a lot of room for improvement but at least it is a step in the right direction.
I’ll spend 10-15 minutes on ab work probably 3 days a week. I love ab exercises!
I do core work at least twice per week. Ideally, I’d be doing it 3 to 4 times per week (every other day). It’s a great idea to do this before a cold morning run!
I’m not very good about it lately either!
I used to do it 4-5/wk but have been totally off the wagon for the past two months. I don’t feel too bad, though, bathing suit season is basically over 😉
Exactly.
I do abs about 4 times a week…having a strong core is definitely important for runners! I should be better about warming up before runs though…maybe I’ll try doing core before too!
Also, where is that super cute jacket you’re wearing from??