Break out!

This Saturday (July 16) and the next will feature "breakout" speakers from 7:15-7:45 a.m., so consider coming early to the track. Pink Lady Pat Huston, a physical therapist at Martha Jeff, will discuss Kegel exercises (strengthening your pelvic region) and how you will benefit from them if you continue running.

Next Saturday is Nicole Yarbrough, a Pink Lady and ACAC pilates instructor, who will discuss strengthening your "core," i.e. the muscles at the center of your body. As Fearless Leader Joan has pointed out during stretches, our legs get beautiful from running but not the abdomen -- unless we focus on it. That's why a lot of runners also do yoga or pilates.

UPDATE: Here's a full description of Pat's talk.

"Getting to the Bottom of Kegels"
7/16 7:15 pre program talk

As a physical therapist, I have worked with dysfunctions of pelvic muscles for over 18 years, including incontinence, urge and frequency symptoms, prolapse (drooping) organs, sexual discomfort, and even constipation. In the past several years, I have become more interested in the prevention of problems that occur in our athletic activities. Too many women quit exercising if they develop symptoms.

Pelvic floor muscles are part of our "core strength" team of the trunk -- including the cross-fiber abdominals, certain back muscles, and the diaphragm. When they are weak, our core stabilization can be compromised. Unfortunately, the pelvic floor muscles don't automatically strengthen when we do general conditioniong exercises.

I plan to teach how to visualize and exercise the special "pelvic floor" support muscles -- exercises all women should truly be doing. I encourage teaming the Kegels with certain abdominal exercises to give better pelvic organ support. This can be useful to protect the region during higher levels of activity, such as running or other work-outs. I coach and have clients test out strategies to pace their efforts to maintain pelvic muscle control when it is needed.

There are PT treatments available for evaluation and direct muscle training -- but many women successfully improve their muscles by getting motivated and keeping with some routine -- it is worth a try!

We will have some anatomy diagrams for those who want them. I will have a "special guest" -- a runner who is a young mom who has worked at improving problems and is very enthusiastic about the changes she has experienced.

I hope you will come and join us at the bleachers closest to the track entrance!

Pat Huston, MSPT
Martha Jefferson Hospital