Friday 14 September 2012

Year 2

Yesterday, I was complimented on my running style. Apparently it looks effortless or easy when I run. I can't honestly remember the wording on account of the fact that I was trying to get my heart rate back down & some oxygen into my blood before the next rep started.
This outwardly relaxed look I seem to have is a direct result of the running form I have cultivated; to stand tall, engage the core, front foot strike, shoulders away from ears and enjoy the sensation of running.

How I got to this stage is a mixture of the work of the coaches at the club (particularly Vikky & Tommy), my yoga practice and going to a minimal running shoe. So if you want to get better, and stop looking in pain all the time (like I'm sure I did a year ago), here are my key tips:

Talk to coaches. They will give you pointers & technique tips regardless, but if you have a discussion on it, you'll glean more, and the feedback you give them can be used to personalise the advice they'll give you more.
Listen to the coaches. Talking isn't enough. Listen, absorb, follow. There's a reason they're coaching.
Go to yoga. Seriously. It improves flexibility, can aid in recovery and improves your core strength, and core strength is vital for good form whether you are running, cycling or swimming.
Get the right footwear (or none if thats right for you). I moved onto minimal shoes as part of a shift to frontfoot striking to help issues with ITB pain, which has worked. But the shoes & running style make it easier for me to maintain my form.

But what does this all have to do with Year 2? Well, I've been flopping around with my training post Roth, with nothing to really focus towards and I find it much easier to head for something with a target in place. I've talked about my desire to go sub 40 minutes for a 10km run, but thats a bit vague, so I'm going to give myself a real target and aim to be able to run a sub 40min 10k by the Men's Health Forum 10k in June 2013.

I'll keep you posted on my progress

Vangelis - Chariots of Fire