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Yoga Before a Race

Question:

I will be running in probably my 5th race on Saturday and have an opportunity to take a deep stretch yoga class the afternoon before. It’s an 8k, I’m incredibly slow, but love the thrill of actually running with a huge group of people and knowing that I can, yes I really can, run 5.1 miles! Do you think the yoga class would in any way be detrimental to my performance?

I just started a yoga class this fall.  It’s once a week on Monday night and my Tuesday morning run is usually the best of the week (not counting my long run on Sunday, boy I love that one.)  Make sure you don’t strain. AndreaD

Response:

Thanks for the great input. We had already decided that we wouldn’t hold any pose for a long time and that we just wanted to use the class to stretch ourselves out. I don’t do yoga regularly but am extremely flexible, and he does do it fairly frequently.  So… based on your replies, I think we will proceed with the class, with caution, and not push too hard or hold any pose for too long…. THanks! Heather

Response:

What do you mean by a deep stretch yoga class? As Ozzie and AndreaD mentioned, as long as you don’t strain, then you should be OK. Any class labeled a "deep stretch" yoga class may push the limits of your flexibility and leave you sore for a couple of days. Be careful. — Harold – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be running in probably my 5th race on Saturday and have an opportunity to take a deep stretch yoga class the afternoon before. It’s an 8k, I’m incredibly slow, but love the thrill of actually running with a huge group of people and knowing that I can, yes I really can, run 5.1 miles! Do you think the yoga class would in any way be detrimental to my performance?  Or more importantly, to my boyfriend’s since he really does average 8 minute miles and will be doing the yoga with me.  My 10  minute miles don’t get changed by anything I do….  We thought it might actually be a very good thing to do before the race – limber up, stretch out and relax.  Than carbo load!  Yum!  Thanks for any insight! Heather

Response:

I agree with Harold, especially if you have never done one of these classes before. The first time I did a Bikram yoga class, my legs were extremely wobbly the next day. My run was painful at best, heck walking hurt! Breathing too! Anyway- you would probably get more out of it after your race. Plus, I personally try not to do anything the day before a race, or a long run for that matter. Jenn- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What do you mean by a deep stretch yoga class? As Ozzie and AndreaD mentioned, as long as you don’t strain, then you should be OK. Any class labeled a "deep stretch" yoga class may push the limits of your flexibility and leave you sore for a couple of days. Be careful. — Harold

Response:

I will be running in probably my 5th race on Saturday and have an opportunity to take a deep stretch yoga class the afternoon before. It’s an 8k, I’m incredibly slow, but love the thrill of actually running with a huge group of people and knowing that I can, yes I really can, run 5.1 miles! Do you think the yoga class would in any way be detrimental to my performance?  Or more importantly, to my boyfriend’s since he really does average 8 minute miles and will be doing the yoga with me.  My 10  minute miles don’t get changed by anything I do….  We thought it might actually be a very good thing to do before the race – limber up, stretch out and relax.  Than carbo load!  Yum!  Thanks for any insight! Heather

Response:

Heather, Nice way to go into a race.  Enjoy your yoga warm up.  As long as you don’t strain, the yoga is a nice way to get ready for your run. Ozzie I will be running in probably my 5th race on Saturday and have an opportunity to take a deep stretch yoga class the afternoon before. It’s an 8k, I’m incredibly slow, but love the thrill of actually running with a huge group of people and knowing that I can, yes I really can, run 5.1 miles! Do you think the yoga class would in any way be detrimental to my performance?  Or more importantly, to my boyfriend’s since he really does average 8 minute miles and will be doing the yoga with me.  My 10  minute miles don’t get changed by anything I do….  We thought it might actually be a very good thing to do before the race – limber up, stretch out and relax.  Than carbo load!  Yum!  Thanks for any insight! Heather

– Ozzie Gontang

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