Running

2 Things Every Runner Needs For Success

Two things every runner needs for success:

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1️⃣ Cardiovascular Economy (VO2 Max)

This is the max amount of oxygen your body can take in, transport and use during running.

Gifted athletes have a high VO2 max that means they can sustain high work loads over a longer period of time, before getting fatigued.

The rest of us have to rely on consistent training over the years to improve. Ultimately you have a set limit that relates to your genes (and your age).

If you have a high VO2 max, but your tissues aren't ready to cope with the high loads of running, often that can lead to overload and injury (a common scenario among triathletes).

2️⃣ Biomechanical Efficiency

This is where we can have the most impact, preparing our bodies for running, through optimal:

✅ flexibility in the right places (ankles, hips, upper back),
✅ core and gluteal stability
✅ strength and capacity in the muscles, tendons and bones
✅ efficient running form
✅ a sensible load management plan

This is what we 💯 focus on in The Resilient Runner Workshop.

Building you up from the inside out so you have the capacity to unlock your potential as a runner.

One of the reasons I love running is because it a barometer of your physical foundation. You can learn so much from listening to what your body is telling you, getting stronger and healthier than ever before.

The next workshop is coming up Murray Bridge March 9th (limited places left). Also excited to be heading to Clare Crossfit 5451 in May, check out the website for all the details.

PRE-hab is the new rehab

When it comes to building your running capacity, putting together consistent training weeks / months is how you reach your potential.

Sounds simple in theory, but the most common set-back is niggling injuries that force you slow down or take time off all together.

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You can find yourself in the the land of 'boom-bust' where you reach a plateau of performance that can be frustrating, dis-heartening and confusing.

And it's easy to blame the running, saying that you're not meant to run.

The truth is, running is one of the most challenging, high level activities you can ask of your body.

Running efficiently and pain free comes on top of a foundation of adequate flexibility, core strength and movement efficiency.

After 20 years of studying human movement, I can say very few of us have the natural foundation to run efficiently.

In the modern age, due to pain, injury, stress and too much time sitting and driving, we are losing touch with our bodies and what it means to have a good physical foundation. Movement compensations and imbalances have become the norm.

The thing is, in the short term you can still get by with a less than ideal foundation.

You will be able to run because your amazing body works out a way to get the job done. The problem is, the compensations have a limited time span before they burn out and pack it in. Then you are really stuffed - you're in pain and you can't keep running anymore.

Now you have 2 choices:

(1) Accept that "running is not good for you" and avoid it the rest of your life; or

(2) Learn about how your body works and set a plan to achieve your goals.

The good news is that you can learn to fine tune your body to prepare it for running. You need to be smart and listen to your body - and have patience and dedication. You can overcome your weaknesses and actually turn them into strengths.

The idea behind The Resilient Runner Workshop is to teach you the strategies and skills you need to safely build your capacity, BEFORE injuries and niggles set your training back.

Full disclosure:

This process does take an investment in time and energy. You may not see improvement straight away. But with discipline and dedication, all a sudden you start seeing results that may surprise you.

The hardest part is getting to base-camp.

It can be a steep learning curve.

But once you've got there, you have a rock solid foundation, that nobody take away from you and will set you up for a lifetime of pain-free and enjoyable running.

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Are you interested in attending The Resilient Runner Workshop...

Currently we have 3 spots left in Fullarton (next Saturday 9th Feb) and 5 spots left for the Murray Bridge (March 9th).

Hope to see you there & if you have any questions please let me know :-)

Dan

Quick Tip To Ease Shin Pain

In a recent study, runners with a slower step rate (i.e. lower cadence) were found to be more likely to experience shin injuries than runners with a higher cadence.

The researchers studied 68 high school cross-country runners through the season, monitoring their cadence as well as their injury rates.

They found the runners with the lowest step rate (≤164 steps per minute) were more likely to experience a shin injury compared with runners with the highest step rate (≥174 steps per minute).

Running with a higher cadence may help reduce the peak load of force going through the leg.

Combined with a sensible training plan and good recovery strategies, making this small shift in your running style may well pay dividends and help keep shin pain away.

If you’ve been getting shin pain, next time you run, try increasing your cadence to 175-180 steps per minute and see how you respond during your run and the 24 hours following.

Most GPS watches track your cadence, but you may need to fiddle around with your settings so you can view it in real time.

Another option is to download a free metronome app on your phone and try and match your step to the beat.

Other quick tips for shin pain would be: buying a new and supportive pair of shoes, work on your glutes/core strength and having dry needling done to your calf and tibialis posterior muscles that re-set the tension.

If you would like some more personalised support for your shin pain and you wish to get relief right away, use our simple online booking system to make an appointment.  If you would prefer to speak to us directly,  call us 1300 657 813


Reference:

Influence of Step Rate on Shin Injury and Anterior Knee Pain in High School Runners.

Luedke LE, Heiderscheit BC, Williams DS, Rauh MJ.



5 Tips To Fast Track Your Heel Pain Recovery

Heel pain can be highly debilitating, not to mention extremely frustrating.

One of the main issues is that heel pain has many contributing factors.

Sometimes people only address one or two at a time and start to feel better, but the problem never really goes away completely.

To get your heel pain better you need to follow as many of the recovery guidelines (shown below) as possible for at least a month.

This may mean some changes to your lifestyle and you may need to make some room in your life to allow proper healing to take place.

5 Tips To Fast Track Your Heel Pain Recovery:

1. Update your footwear, including your running/exercise shoes and your work shoes immediately. Find the most comfortable and supportive shoe that suits your feet.

100% AVOID thongs, high heels and bare feet for a minimum of 3 months.

2. Stretch your calf muscles daily. Hold a gentle stretch for 1 min x 3 per day (dropping your heel over a step is a good option).

3. Reduce inflammation by using ice on your heel for 15 mins x 2 per day.

Either an ice pack with a velcro compression sleeve or you could also roll a frozen water bottle under your foot.

4. Tape your foot.

Use a simple rigid tape to pull from the outside of your foot, under the arch and up to the inside of the foot. Try a few pieces so at least half your foot is supported.

5. Gradually increase the walking you are doing each day.

Start with 10 mins and gradually build up to 30 mins everyday.

Monitor your time, distance and pain levels (during and the day after) by keeping a journal.

Maintaining a healthy weight is a key to getting better.

Bonus Tip:

Keep in mind the only evidenced based treatment to get both plantar fascia and achilles tendonitis issues better is a graded strengthening program. Start with these two:

- Strengthen the foot by doing daily foot 'scrunches'. Imagine you are picking up a towel with your foot - hold the position for 30 secs and repeat x 5. Aim to do this x 3 per day. A small amount of pain < 3/10 is OK.

- Strengthen your calves. After your daily walk, do 3 x 15 heel raises, lifting your body up onto your toes.

If you would like some more personalised advice on how to overcome your heel pain, we'd love to help you. It is a condition we see in the clinic everyday...and you don't have to put up with it!

After a thorough assessment, if you are a viable candidate for our program, we will map out a personalised plan to get you feeling (and staying!) better as soon as possible.

If you have any other questions…please contact us.

10 Tips For the NYC Marathon

10 tips for the NYC Marathon

I’ve been fortunate to run the NYC marathon on a couple of occasions.

Marathon weekend has such a special energy in the city, it’s hard to believe how amazing the support and atmosphere is.

I thought I’d share my top tips for running the NYC marathon below.

Have a great run and please let me know if you have any questions in the comments.

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  1. Ride the ferry to Staten Island and enjoy the views of downtown Manhattan. But get there half an hour earlier than your scheduled time. It is REALLY busy and you're better off getting over a little earlier than stressing over missing your start time. Once you get to Staten Island, be prepared for a bit of a wait for the bus. 

  2. Run with a pacing group if possible. If you know your average pace and a time you're going for, it makes sense to run with a pacing group. These are led by experienced runners and leave you mentally more free to enjoy the experience. 

  3. If you're traveling from overseas, ideally arrive into New York on Thursday evening. That gives you Friday to explore the expo and Saturday to freshen your legs in preparation for Sunday's run. Arriving any earlier will mean standing and walking around more in NYC, which subtlety drains the energy out of your legs, leaving you ill-prepared for race day.

  4. If you've trained with music and headphones, take them with you on race day. 42.2km is a long way. The crowd and atmosphere will definitely inspire you like nothing else. But there are some quieter sections (e.g. Queensborough bride) where a shot of your favorite cheesy motivational music helps you stay focused and get the job done. 

  5. Do lots of hill training. While the course is mostly flat, the bridges can sap your energy and strength. Ideally, get in one session per week of hills to build the strength and capacity in your legs.  If you can manage this, race day will be a breeze.


  6. Don't worry about which level of the bridge you start on. Still the same views. And no you don't need to worry about waterfalls of  urine if you're in the lower level. 

  7. Prepare a mantra for when the going gets tough.

    My favourites are: “1000% positive”, “Pain is temporary, glory is forever” and “Wounded But Not Conquered”

  8. Do some training runs that mimic the later start time. Try and get your body used to running late morning through to mid afternoon. And do some runs where it is crowded and you have to learn to dodge around people. With 50,000 runners from all around the world, this is a skill you need to practice! 

  9. Write your name on your shirt. When you need an extra shot of energy, move over close to the crowd and the New Yorkers will inspire you with their energy and enthusiasm.

  10. The day after the marathon, stumble to Tavern On The Green to collect your copy of the New York Times. Find your name and get your medal engraved with your time. 

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