Running Series No.1: Sloooooow down

Published: Sun, 10/06/19

Hi

***Sharing these again as we hit 'running season'**

Running saved my life.

It helped me lose 35kg of fat mass, gave me time to myself and focused my mind on getting healthy.

It is free, a great way to get outside with nature and anyone can do it....when ready.

However, our body must be strong and mobile enough for it.

We must earn the right to run!

When we land whilst running the force through our body from the ground is between 3 and 6 times your bodyweight.

This is really important to remember when building up to running. 

The body is a 'stack' of bones which is only as resilient as the tendons, muscles around them and very susceptible to the forces from gravity, ground reaction forces and the positions we sit or move through whilst walking, running etc.

Imagine a stack of Jenga blocks:


If we were to bash the top of them (without knocking completely over) then they will all fall out of alignment somewhat...like above^^^^^

Forces through ALL the body as we walk or run can have a similar effect when the repetitive forces of each step is not 'cushioned' and protected against by good posture, gait and strong muscles.

Now imagine an infrastructure around these 'Jenga blocks' of flexible yet strong elastic and steel that also have an intelligent shock absorbing system.

Bash our new 'Bionic' Jenga tower and if will absorb the blow and ping back to optimal position.

This is the equivalent of how strength training, adding muscle and mobility work will make you a better runner.....

NOT more running!

 Those little niggles, shin splints, foot, back or shoulder pain are a result of your body not correctly receiving and absorbing the torsion and force of each foot strike..ignore these at your peril.

Although I love running I'm also acutely aware of how putting a target on distance and speed can overshadow the focus we should be mindful of.

I've had to help many runners get over injuries, often caused by far too much running.

Good posture, gait, mobility and strength is FAR more important than the distance you run for or how fast you do it.

Good balance and movement is just as important as good form in the gym with EVERY step.

We should run at the speed that our body flows at gracefully, even if that means walking to start off.

In the next couple of emails I will cover a bit more detail in all this and what you can do.

In the meantime, if you are running, slow down a notch and work towards feeling your body with each step and how it responds.

Running is not about getting out of breath (more on this later too!) or grinding to an arbitrary distance a magazine says you should aim for.

Running IS about gliding along, pain free and enjoying the journey. If you are not smiling to yourself you are going too hard....

If anything hurts when running then stop, stretch and if it carries on after...WALK home and return another day

Many happy trails!

​To...be....continued....

J


James Chandler
Personal Trainer
07870 262741
www.eatwellandworkout.com

'To inspire, educate and support our clients on their journey to better health'