May 4, 2011

Can A Runner Learn From A Boxer?

Today I was on my elliptical machine churning out a few miles before going to work and I happened upon an article on Manny Pacquiao in the Wall Street Journal.  What caught my attention was the article’s focus – which is on Pacquiao’s conditioning methods.  Pacuiao’s has won world titles in eight weight classes – from 112 to 154 lbs.  This is incredible to say the least.  His record going into this weekend’s fight is 52-3-2 with 38 knockouts.  He is favored to win against Sugar Shane Mosley who is 46-6-1 with 39 knockouts.  Of course anything can happen.


So what is so special about Pacquiao’s conditioning methods?  His abdominal work.  The guy is grinding out 2000 reps daily of core work that is, well, inspiring.  My routine of 100 reps daily has just been ratcheted up.  He’s also incorporating a lot of running including hill, interval and obstacle work.  With an ability to take his heart rate north of 200 bpm and hold it there for a “long period”, I can see how he simply wears down his competition.

Any lessons here for us ultra runners?  If you want to maintain good running form for the long run while minimizing injuries in multiple areas, core work is critical.  How many sit ups or crunches have you done today?



Image: xedos4 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
     

7 comments:

it's all about pace said...

zero today... but this year has brought a focus on core/non running fitness... over 200... sustained HR... wow! just wow

Emz said...

well you found what I'll be doing to recover Saturday....yep, PPV'd this baby.

now can you just make sure he doesn't sing?!

Will Cooper said...

its going to be a great fight. looking forward to hearing if his abs hold up.

Subversive Runner said...

I reckon Pacquiao will have a relatively easy fight against Mosley. Sugar can still bang but his best days are well and truly behind him now. Pacman's movement and angles will be too much for Sugar, IMHO.

As for Pac's core fitness, he is a machine; just as he is with his training and fighting. Without wholly signing up for Mayweather's claims about Pacquiao's methods of packing weight on, I have to admit it concerns me somewhat.

Will Cooper said...

I can't say I know much about the weight gain issue, although it's sounds like a barry bonds topic. I would say it would be a lot easier to gain 20 or 30 lbs than 50 or more. he also may have been cutting weight when fighting at the lower weights.

Will Cooper said...

Congrats to Pacman for another victory Saturday, albeit against an older opponent (39). It might be time for the real contest with Mayweather!

EricG said...

I promise to increase my core work! Perhaps that will help alleviate my sciatic pain.