"Don't slam on the brakes!"

My hip is all better!!!! (just in case you were consumed with worry and concern). I was a disciplined runner and did the right amount of icing, stretching, foam rolling, and yoga between yesterday and today. Even though I started feeling better from yesterday evening I try not to take any of my aches and pains for granted. I really think the foam rolling and yoga made a big difference last night, so I did another yoga session this morning and I'm going to do another one before bed (probably with more foam rolling as well).

I tend to deviate from the yoga videos a bit, especially when the yogi requests too much "quiet time". I don't always get all of the "find yourself and be centered" benefits out of yoga...

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...but I do get most of the "gently stretch your muscles and engage your core" benefits.

I found this little "cheat sheet" with yoga poses that I've been using to help remind me of the moves I need to do with each session...

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I can't do all of these yet and some of them seem downright dangerous (second row, 2nd figure: the headstand...why aren't her arms helping to support her body???). But eventually I will be able to do all most of them. 

In keeping with my renewed focus on form I got some timely running tips from @fitnessrunningtips on Instagram...

All of my running friends have better form that I do, so really I just shared this for myself on IG (and now I'm sharing it with all of you... but you probably knew this tip already). So the lesson here is "don't slam on the brakes" when I run. I know I'm already a pro at taking shorts steps because my stride length isn't very long, but I still have a very heavy foot fall, I still heel strike, and I don't lean forward that much when I run. 

However, there is a silver lining since I have my Chi Running class starting next week. Hopefully I will get more great tips there. And even if I don't have the world's greatest running form after the class (stop laughing, it could happen!) I hope to at least be able to minimize the impact on my knees and hips over the miles I plan on running this year (and every year). 

In addition to the Chi Running course, I also want to go to a free seminar on running injuries at Runner's Depot (local running store) this Wednesday. The experts speaking at the seminar will be covering topics such as: Hamstring Injuries and Shinsplints (both of which I'm afflicted with). I hope this will be a really good session... 

I'm taking this whole injury-prevention thing seriously.

My work schedule is changing a bit this week so I'm scheduled to run tomorrow morning, but at the very latest tomorrow evening. And sadly, training for the rest of the week (except Sunday's long run) is less structured at the moment because the demands on my time early in the morning will be increasing and my work days are likely to be long and run late. Luckily, I should still be able to get some cross training done even if I won't be able to run (something is better than nothing right?).

How often do you do yoga for cross training?

What are some of the best injury prevention tips you've heard over the years?