ConfidentAaliyah

10 for 10, 4th place overall, second fastest time ever.

I’m so proud of what Maddy accomplished over these last two years. These last two weeks were tough for her because she didn't run at all due to shin splints. Instead of running, we went back to the basics. I gave her a bike workout, she did core work, and the week before the conference, walking hurdle drills. She didn’t run over hurdles until the morning of the race. It was more important for her to rest her legs.

Nothing was going to be gained in two weeks but we could have caused further damage. This wasn’t a gamble. It was strategic planning.

Congratulations Maddie!

Doing classic mat Pilates has been giving me exactly what I need to help with my running.

The first is reconnecting with my deep core. With overactive neck muscles, I have been taking short breaths and breathing into my upper rib cage. Now I can get a full breath because I have more connections to my core overall.

The second is to increase the range of motion, and the third is to strengthen the small stabilizing muscles, such as the glute medius.