Why less flexible runners are more economical
Studies have shown that less flexible runners have greater running economy. With so much focus on the importance of stretching you may be wondering how this makes sense. Why stretch if it decreases running economy and why is running economy improved if you are less flexible? Is stretching making us slower runners?
What Causes Running Injuries?
Running injuries are so common , more than 50% of runners suffer one every year. Why? Is it because they a) Increased their distance too quickly b) Increased their intensity too quickly c) Didn’t stretch before running d) Didn’t stretch after running e) Were wearing cushioned supportive running shoes f) […]
Speed Training for Ultrarunners – Essential Or A Waste Of Time?
If you are training for a 100k or 100 mile race is there any point including speed sessions in your training? When the winning time in most of these races is slower than 5 minutes per kilometer you may think not. If the fastest runners are running that slow then surely speed is the least […]
Dynamic Calf Stretching
Following on from an earlier post on Dynamic Stretching this weeks video blog explains how to stretch your calves in a dynamic manner specifically for running or walking.
Downhill Running
The downhill sections of marathons or ultra marathons are where you can either gain or lose a lot of time depending on your training. Whilst many runners incorporate uphill repeats as part of their training very few target downhill running. Running downhill is a skill that needs to be trained to improve. It also places […]
How to Dynamically Stretch your Glutes
Following on from an earlier post on Dynamic Stretching this weeks video blog explains how to stretch your glutes in a dynamic manner specifically for running . I have detailed a few ways to increase the stretch in the forwards sideways and rotational directions. Whichever option feels the tightest is the one you should do […]
Dynamic Stretching
I have discussed stretching in a number of blogs and in-particular the benefits of dynamic stretching. To most runners dynamic stretching consists of swinging your legs forward and back and side to side and kicking your bum with your heels. Whilst there is nothing wrong with this there are far more effective ways to go […]
Hop skip and jump your way to becoming a faster runner.
Most runners spend almost 100% of their training time actually running. This is based on the mistaken belief that if you want to become a better runner then you should simply run more. The reason this is misguided is that our running technique and efficiency is dependant on the strength and flexibility of the muscles, […]
Setting unrealistic goals
We all know that the goals we set ourselves should follow the S.M.A.R.T principle . Specific, measurable, achievable , realistic and have a timeframe. We think of anyone who sets unrealistic goals as having a few screws loose in their head. So imagine the response from an experienced Everest mountaineering guide when he was approached […]
Machine weights – to be avoided at all costs!
I was recently reading a well known running magazine when I came across an article regarding Machine weights vs Free weights for running. The article gave a balanced argument for both but recommended that maybe beginners would be better off starting with machines.I’d like to say that without doubt performing weights using a Machine should […]