Category: Blog

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Running Technique – Elements Of Effortless Running – Lower Body

elements of effortless running-blog

Any books you read on running technique which has the potential to reduce the risk of injuries have a few common elements. Each technique or style of running (i.e. Chi Running, Pose Method, Natural Running) has its own particular elements that sets it aside from the others, however they all state that to run with less effort and fewer injuries a runner should:

 

1. Land with the foot underneath the body 

That means DO NOT land ahead of your body because you overstride, break your momentum and increase impact. When you overstride you also have to power up by re-engaging the back muscle chains to start a new stride. More effort, more muscle tension, more impact, higher risk of running injuries.

If you can see your feet when you run (by looking down with your eyes and head, not by bending your whole body) it’s a sign you are probably overstriding, landing heavily in front of your body.

Bouncing up and down too much can be another sign. Usually, if you land under your General Centre of Mass you won’t bounce, you will move smoothly, almost like gliding.

This will also help reduce the rotational forces in the joints which lead to overuse injuries in the ankles, knees, hips, spine.

 

2. Lean the body from the ankles

This is an up-right, slightly forward leaning from the ankles, correctly aligned posture. Let gravity do the work instead of using your muscle strength.

 

3. Strike the ground with a midfoot strike

Another common element is the midfoot strike. If you land under your general centre of mass and use gravity to move forward there is no way you will do a heel strike. You will automatically go into a midfoot-forefoot strike.

That being said make sure you don’t run on your toes. You land on the balls of your feet and then allow the heels to touch the ground slightly. That’s it.

If, when you run, you listen closely you can tell whether you land with the ball of the foot. You will hear a “tap” and then you will feel the heel touching the ground. If you hear a “punding” that’s heavy landing and probably heel striking.

If you think about it pretty much all sports require a midfoot or forefoot body weight distribution: dancing, skiing, martial arts free sparring, even tennis. Look at the footwork in this tennis match, just the first 10 seconds.

 

4. Pick up the feet

Your feet are like pendulums. A long pendulum will move slower, a shorter one will move faster. So stop shuffling your legs, dragging them behind you, instead pick them up and bend your knee. 

5. Aim for optimum cadence 

Running cadence is measured by the number of strides per minute that each leg takes. The optimum running cadence is considered to be 85 to 90 strides per minute. 

If you do all of the above then you can maintain the optimum cadence.

However you have to build up gradually to this cadence if it’s not your normal. Then you keep that cadence all the time and use the lean and picking up your feet to move faster. In Chi Running you also increase the strides to increase speed. But you move faster because you lean more and relax your legs more not because you are using muscle power. You should not put effort to increase your strides, it will happen as you lean more. But first master the lean.

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Running Performance And Acupuncture With Jani White

Running-Performance-And-Acupuncture-With-Jani White

The world is changing and one needs to be informed, to know the available options and to even try them out. Some may work for you while other may not, but exploring different therapies gives you the greatest chances to find the best that works for you, the one that will enhance your performance and enable you to reach your goals and beyond.

When we talk about a runner’s health we think of nutrition, strength and injury prevention. While all these are important, and I should know since I work with runners and injuries, there is a part of our bodies we seldom think about: the internal body, with its organs and hormones. This is part of a runner’s health as well and a very important one. This is one of the reasons I am talking to Jani today.

Jani is a highly experienced acupuncturist, she lectures internationally and nationally on her subjects.

We first talk about my personal experience with Jani’s treatment, when we worked on releasing tension and stress, feeling more grounded and calm.

She introduces us to acupuncture and then we talk about how it relates to runners and running performance. How it helps drive oxygenated blood to muscles for enhanced performance and faster recovery.

“Acupuncture affects what is happening within your body at a neurobiological level. The majority of our neurobiological function is autonomic” (autonomic: cannot consciously control).

“Acupuncture enhances and keys the autonomic system into its peak performance, streamlining your system into its peak ability, generating ultimate homeostasis” (homeostasis: the tendency towards a relatively stable equilibrium between all the systems).

She also briefly explains what meridian channels are and how each channel relates to an organ. We all know that, as runners and not only, it’s not enough to look after our quads and core, we need to take care of our organs as well. If the internal systems don’t function properly nothing else will.

We also talk about how your surrounding environment depletes your reserves and what you can do home, right now to protect your body.

Jani’s morning alkalizing drink:

  • tsp raw honey
  • tsp cold press cranberry juice
  • tsp apple cider vinaigre
  • 6 drops of bee propolis

 

Links mentioned in the video:

Jani’s Website: www.acuhouse.co.uk
Greenopedie: www.greenopedia.com

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Nutrition For Runners With Stephanie Moore

Today I’m speaking with Stephanie Moore from “Health In Hand” UK. Stephanie began her career in the integrated health world back in 1991 (26 yrs). During this time her studies ranged from personal training, massage therapy and anatomy, stress management, psychology, having Masters degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy. But she is here to talk to us about nutrition where she also holds a degree, in Nutritional Medicine.

As she has worked with marathon runners and is a runner herself, Stephanie agreed to share with us some of her knowledge and experience on the topic.

Check out Stephanie’s website www.health-in-hand.co.uk

Link to get Stephanie’s Book: http://health-in-hand.co.uk/book/why-eating-less-exercising-more-makes-you-fat/

 

Other sources mentioned:

– Jeff Volek Assoc Prof of Kinesiology Uni of Connecticut. “The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Performance” http://www.artandscienceoflowcarb.com/blog/

– Tim Noakes – The Real Meal Revolution. South African scientist, and an emeritus professor in the Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine at the University of Cape Town

– Mark Sissons ex-triathlete / ironman who trains fat-adapted ultra runners: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/

 

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Harmonee Wristband – Blocking electromagnetic frequencies

This is our little experiment with the Harmonee Wristband using applied Kinesiology muscle testing (I am not a Kinesiology practitioner).

I cannot guarantee the product and its benefits, however according to Harmonee Health, the wristband blocks out incoming frequency interference which are harmful for the body, thus promoting better sleep, helping the immune system and is working with your body’s natural frequencies.

Check out their website.

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Running After Knee Injury – Testimonial Client Experience

Mariepaule had a really bad knee injury. She did the therapies recommended and got the OK. Then she came to work with Alexandra.

Through consistent running technique and natural movement practice, coaching and practicing by herself, Mariepaule recovered nicely and managed a 2 day walk, 2nd day combined with running.

 

This is what we look at on the Running Technique Workshop. Of course, changing the way you move and use your body takes time, but on the workshop you will leave with a few concepts that, if used, can make a huge difference.

While same results cannot be guaranteed, with practice, natural running technique will help you run faster, further, with less effort and fewer injuries.

Book your spot for the next workshop in East London, Canada Water.

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Running With Lower Back Pain – Testimonial Client Experience

Running With Lower Back Pain - Testimonial Client Experience

Richard experienced sore back after running. We knew it was a non-specific lower back pain (i.e. not caused my disc problems, accidents etc) so we could work together.

Over the 12 months we’ve worked once a week to develop strength, flexibility and mobility through natural movement. We also corrected his running form to make it less destructive on his joints and body as a whole.

There were many many changes in his running form over the past 12 months which lead to NO MORE BACK PAIN!! during or after running.

But it’s not over. Next steps: fine tune technique, optimise performance and address other subtle imbalances, tension and restrictions in the body.

Well done Richard!

This is what we look at on the Running Technique Workshop. Of course, changing the way you move and use your body takes time, but on the workshop you will leave with a few concepts that, if used, can make a huge difference.

While same results cannot be guaranteed, with practice, natural running technique will help you run faster, further, with less effort and fewer injuries.

Book your spot for the next workshop in East London, Canada Water.

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How Your Arms Make Your Running Heavy And Breathing Difficult

How-Your-Arms-Make-Your-Running-Heavy-And-Breathing Difficult

If you want to run lighter, breathe easier when you run and reduce the risk of injuries think about your arms. What you do with your arms, where they’re going, how they’re moving and everything in between.

I explain in the video and also show how your arm direction affects your running, making it heavy and it also affects your breathing.

When your arms cross your body midline the following happens:

  • your shoulder start to curl inwards
  • that leads to the chest closing up
  • which compresses the chest and rib cage
  • that leads to difficult breathing
  • your alignment is also off as the shoulders drop forward
  • your hips fall back
  • your general centre of mass in behind you
  • your lower back takes a lot of pressure
  • your lower back is sore

To avoid this chain reaction you arms should move forward, and your elbows lightly brushing your body.

Check out the March 2017 Running Technique Workshop in East London.

If you live in Surrey we have weekly classes dedicated to runners. Get in touch for more information

Dracula’s Retreat link as promised in the video click here.

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Running Effortlessly Using Gravity

runinng-effortlessly-using-gravity-running-technique-style-alexandra-meri

When it comes to running lighter and with less effort one of the most important lessons I’ve learnt from my coach is to use gravity – free energy. And that’s one of the lessons Pose Method of running teaches as well.

In this video I explain and also show you how to use gravity, but to have it in writing the idea is that:

To avoid pushing off, which created pressure on the body and joints, you want to learn forward from the ANKLES

Avoid bending from the hips; body has to learn as a whole, as a plank, from the ankles; it’s a FREE FALL feeling (i.e. falling on your face)

Keep the feet under the body; if your foot goes ahead of the body you will stop your free fall and will experience a lot of pressure on the joints, especially knees

This article and video links to the previous article and video on How runners damage their knees.

If you wish to know more about our dedicated Running Technique Workshops and Classes in London and Surrey email support@themtechnique.com or fill in the form below the video and we will reply within 2 working days.

 

If you wish to know more about our dedicated Running Technique Workshops and Classes in London and Surrey email support@themtechnique.com or fill in the form below the video and we will reply within 2 working days.

[powr-contact-form id=eb5e21e8_1487080650452]

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How Runners Damage Their Knees

how-runners-damage-their-knees.

Are you a runner? Do you suffer from knee pain but there is no structural damage that you are aware of (i.e. meniscus, ligament damage etc)? Not yet at least!

Then you should consider looking at HOW you run, your running form, more than for how long and how fast you run.

In this video I explain the main mistake runners make from a technical point of view. That main mistake runners make that lead to damaged knees is OVER STRIDING. Yep. Shorten your stride and you will be using your body in a less destructive way, because when you over stride you:

1. Lock your knee

The moment you lock out your knee it cannot absorb the impact as is would when it is slightly bent. When it is slightly bent you are using the knees and muscles aroudn the knees, the stabilizor msucles as suspension to take on the pressure. When you lovk your knees all you do is put all that pressure and impact on the joint itself.

 

2. Break your fall

In the POSE Method of running Dr Romanov talks about using gravity to move the body forwards, leaning the whole body from the ankles (not bending from the hips). However, when you over stride all you do is break your fall. Add a locked knee to the equation and you have the recipe for knee injuries.

 

3. Push off 

When you over stride the only way to move on is to push off with the back leg. When you push off you stretch out the leg and you also get a reaction from the ground (for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction). The harder you push off the harder the reaction from the ground.

There are a few other reasons when you don’t want to over stride which I haven’t covered in this video but will in future videos.

Watch the video below and if you wish to enquire about our Running Workshop please fill in the form under the video and we will get in touch within 2 business days.

Enquire about Running Technique Workshops:

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Run Lighter And Reduce Running Injuries – Running Workshops

Do you want to run lighter and reduce the risk of running related injuries?

Whether you are into parkruns, marathons, short distance running, trail running, road running, obstacle course races the way you run will impact your body instantly.

Shin splints, knee pain, lower back pain, shoulder and upper body pain they are all related to your running form, to how you use your body.

Thus join our running technique workshops in London and train like an athlete.

Watch the video to understand what you will do and learn on the day.

Also please share around. Looking to pass down this knowledge to as many runners as possible.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS are available for the January and February workshops.