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The Power of Cues
Unlocking Your Running Potential
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If you have never seen yourself run, I recommend that you have a look, it’s likely that you will be surprised. Ask a friend, coach, or simply set up your phone on selfie mode and film yourself running. In just a few seconds you will probably notice a few things that you didn’t realise you were doing whilst running.
Running is arguably one of the most natural movements, but we all do it differently. Everyone has their own running style, which is usually geared by their lifestyle and background. You might have broken your ankle when you were a teenager or you might sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, the list is endless for reasons as to why we all run differently.
Whilst there is not necessarily one “right way” to run, there are certainly ways that we can all make our own run form more efficient. And in turn, allow us to run stronger, faster, and more economically. But how?
If you have ever attended a coached running session, you have probably heard some running cues. These cues often allow athletes to bring their focus back to their run form, as opposed to daydreaming through a session. Whether you are daydreaming or running fatigued, both scenarios can create a break in run form, but cues from a coach or even just yourself can help you immensely.
Three top cues you might hear at a coached session that you can also cue yourself on when running are:
1. Run Tall
Essentially, we are looking for the foot to be landing underneath the hips, and not have the upper body break at the hips. Getting the foot placement correct, means that the rest of the running phase will become easier. If a runner lands with their foot out in front, the force applied on landing dissipates, meaning that more force has to be generated take off again. Instead, when landing with a flat foot (tripod landing) under the hip, it allows utilisation of the short stretch cycle (SSC) in the foot. This in turn creates free energy to spring back off the ground into the take-off position.
Furthermore, breaking at the hips automatically shortens the hip flexors, which hinders the knee drive, resulting in creating less air underneath the body to cycle the legs.
Something that you can easily use to remind yourself of this is to imagine that a string is running through your torso and head, pulling you up and slightly forward.
2. Use your Arms
Most runners forget to think about their arms whilst running. The arms actually set the scene for a runner's cadence; what our arms do, the legs follow. For most people it’s one of the biggest improvements that can be made to their run form. Think about keeping your shoulders relaxed, move arms dynamically to the rear by driving from the elbow, and keep your hands soft with thumb and index finger touching.
3. Relax your shoulders, hands, and mind
Whilst to run well, a runner needs tension in the ankles, hips, and core, it is often the case that unnecessary tension develops in other areas of the body, especially once fatigued. Just look at race photos from the beginning of a race versus the end of a race, and you will probably see where your tight spot is. For many runners, it’s held the shoulders and hands. Checking in with yourself during a run and reminding yourself to relax any unnecessary tension when the going gets tough can help both physically and mentally.
ENGINE
Double Mikko’s Triangle. We’re doubling the time and aiming to double the calories. Can you match your pace and hold on?
GYMNASTICS
Tuesday morning, we're diving into all things handstand push-ups with both strict and kipping variations, plus some fun progressions to challenge your upside-down game. Expect overhead strength work and spicy core finishers, too.
Toes-to-bar will take centre stage on Thursday evening with drills on the low bar and rig to sharpen your skills. Then we’ll move on to capacity work before wrapping it up with core and lat work to boost strength, control, and coordination.
HYROX
Build the Upper body strength you need for HYROX with a focus on sled pulls, farmers carries, push-ups (to power through your burpees), push presses (for stronger wall balls) and SkiErg conditioning.
MOBILITY
We have been quite dominant with mobility for the lower body; per request, we will stick with the flows, but make sure we hit the upper body harder this weekend. This session will be aimed towards the people that have shoulder niggles.
PURE STRENGTH
This week's pure strength session marks the start of the deadlift cycle, following high-volume RDLS. We also have some heavy box squats and volume reps to finish up on Monday. On Wednesday, we will start a paused bench press progression, incorporating some overhead presses and barbell rows as accessories.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting, we are focusing on developing the split jerk technique. Followed by a classic complex of clean + front squat + jerk.
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email Rob Foster
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 8 mins blocks. You will take a 3 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 3x.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 200s and 600s at 3km and 5km pace. We will help you identify the best pace group for your ability at the session.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running1km at effort, into 4 x 400s and then back to 1km of effort. Push hard on the 400s, these should be a 9/10 RPE.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be running
10X
1min @ 9/10; 1min @ 3/10
5mins easy jog
then,
4X
4mins @ 7/10; 1min @ 1/10 (easy jog/walking)
Coffee post session at Common Grounds at 7am.
Monday:
We start the week with some single-leg deadlifts into a power clean front squat complex, followed by a leg-focused workout that is sure to set the tone for the week.
Strength:
A) Every 2:30 x 5 6/6 Single Leg Deadlift
B) Every 90secs x 5 2 power clean + 2 front squat
Conditioning:
17min AMRAP
3 Power Clean (60/40)
6 Front Squat
9 Box Jump
Tuesday:
On Tuesday, it's all about push and pull in the strength work, with pull-ups, bench press, gorilla rows, and some static overhead strength.
Strength:
A) EMOM x 6 - 15-20 sec UB kipping pull-ups
B) Alt EMOM x 10 - 8 DB Bench Press / 12 Alt Gorilla Row
C) Alt EMOM x 9 -M1 - 30 Sec Dual KB OH / 30 sec hollow hold / 30 sec arch hold/rock
Conditioning:
4 rounds for time:
16 Alt KB STOH
1 Lap Car Park Farmers Carry
10 Burpees Over KB
30 Double Unders
Wednesday:
On Wednesday, we will start with some heavy squats, followed by work on both the GHD hip extension and the GHD sit-up, and then a tough interval workout.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 6 - 3 2 2 1 1 back squat + 1 set AMRAP @ 80% of top single
B) Alt EMOM x 12 - 5/10 GHD Sit Ups / 30 sec Pallof Press L&R / 10-15 Hip Extensions
Conditioning
In a 3-minute window:
15 TTB
30 wall balls
AMRAP cal row
Rest 2 mins x 3
Thursday:
On Thursday, we have some bodybuilding in the strength work, followed by a real test of grip and capacity in the workout with high-volume dumbbell snatches.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 5 6/6 DB Strict Press
B) Alt EMOM x 9 - 30 sec banded tricep extension / 15-20 DB Lateral Raise / 15-20 Barbell Bicep Curls
Conditioning:
For time:
120 DB Hang Snatch
Every 3 mins
15/12 Cal Assualt Bike
10 Hand Release Push Ups
Friday:
Finally, we conclude the week with an awesome partner workout that combines aerobic work with strongman exercises.
Strength:
EMOM x 5 6 Sandbag Over Bar
Conditioning:
In Pairs for Time:
800m run together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
100 Cal Ski
Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
80 Cal Ski
Half Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
60 Cal Ski
Car Park Run (Together)
20 Sandbag Over Bar
40 Cal Ski
If you have never seen yourself run, I recommend that you have a look, it’s likely that you will be surprised. Ask a friend, coach, or simply set up your phone on selfie mode and film yourself running. In just a few seconds you will probably notice a few things that you didn’t realise you were doing whilst running.
Running is arguably one of the most natural movements, but we all do it differently. Everyone has their own running style, which is usually geared by their lifestyle and background. You might have broken your ankle when you were a teenager or you might sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, the list is endless for reasons as to why we all run differently.
Whilst there is not necessarily one “right way” to run, there are certainly ways that we can all make our own run form more efficient. And in turn, allow us to run stronger, faster, and more economically. But how?
If you have ever attended a coached running session, you have probably heard some running cues. These cues often allow athletes to bring their focus back to their run form, as opposed to daydreaming through a session. Whether you are daydreaming or running fatigued, both scenarios can create a break in run form, but cues from a coach or even just yourself can help you immensely.
Three top cues you might hear at a coached session that you can also cue yourself on when running are:
1. Run Tall
Essentially, we are looking for the foot to be landing underneath the hips, and not have the upper body break at the hips. Getting the foot placement correct, means that the rest of the running phase will become easier. If a runner lands with their foot out in front, the force applied on landing dissipates, meaning that more force has to be generated take off again. Instead, when landing with a flat foot (tripod landing) under the hip, it allows utilisation of the short stretch cycle (SSC) in the foot. This in turn creates free energy to spring back off the ground into the take-off position.
Furthermore, breaking at the hips automatically shortens the hip flexors, which hinders the knee drive, resulting in creating less air underneath the body to cycle the legs.
Something that you can easily use to remind yourself of this is to imagine that a string is running through your torso and head, pulling you up and slightly forward.
2. Use your Arms
Most runners forget to think about their arms whilst running. The arms actually set the scene for a runner's cadence; what our arms do, the legs follow. For most people it’s one of the biggest improvements that can be made to their run form. Think about keeping your shoulders relaxed, move arms dynamically to the rear by driving from the elbow, and keep your hands soft with thumb and index finger touching.
3. Relax your shoulders, hands, and mind
Whilst to run well, a runner needs tension in the ankles, hips, and core, it is often the case that unnecessary tension develops in other areas of the body, especially once fatigued. Just look at race photos from the beginning of a race versus the end of a race, and you will probably see where your tight spot is. For many runners, it’s held the shoulders and hands. Checking in with yourself during a run and reminding yourself to relax any unnecessary tension when the going gets tough can help both physically and mentally.
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email Rob Foster
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 8 mins blocks. You will take a 3 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 3x.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 200s and 600s at 3km and 5km pace. We will help you identify the best pace group for your ability at the session.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running1km at effort, into 4 x 400s and then back to 1km of effort. Push hard on the 400s, these should be a 9/10 RPE.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be running
10X
1min @ 9/10; 1min @ 3/10
5mins easy jog
then,
4X
4mins @ 7/10; 1min @ 1/10 (easy jog/walking)
Coffee post session at Common Grounds at 7am.
Monday:
We start the week with some single-leg deadlifts into a power clean front squat complex, followed by a leg-focused workout that is sure to set the tone for the week.
Strength:
A) Every 2:30 x 5 6/6 Single Leg Deadlift
B) Every 90secs x 5 2 power clean + 2 front squat
Conditioning:
17min AMRAP
3 Power Clean (60/40)
6 Front Squat
9 Box Jump
Tuesday:
On Tuesday, it's all about push and pull in the strength work, with pull-ups, bench press, gorilla rows, and some static overhead strength.
Strength:
A) EMOM x 6 - 15-20 sec UB kipping pull-ups
B) Alt EMOM x 10 - 8 DB Bench Press / 12 Alt Gorilla Row
C) Alt EMOM x 9 -M1 - 30 Sec Dual KB OH / 30 sec hollow hold / 30 sec arch hold/rock
Conditioning:
4 rounds for time:
16 Alt KB STOH
1 Lap Car Park Farmers Carry
10 Burpees Over KB
30 Double Unders
Wednesday:
On Wednesday, we will start with some heavy squats, followed by work on both the GHD hip extension and the GHD sit-up, and then a tough interval workout.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 6 - 3 2 2 1 1 back squat + 1 set AMRAP @ 80% of top single
B) Alt EMOM x 12 - 5/10 GHD Sit Ups / 30 sec Pallof Press L&R / 10-15 Hip Extensions
Conditioning
In a 3-minute window:
15 TTB
30 wall balls
AMRAP cal row
Rest 2 mins x 3
Thursday:
On Thursday, we have some bodybuilding in the strength work, followed by a real test of grip and capacity in the workout with high-volume dumbbell snatches.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 5 6/6 DB Strict Press
B) Alt EMOM x 9 - 30 sec banded tricep extension / 15-20 DB Lateral Raise / 15-20 Barbell Bicep Curls
Conditioning:
For time:
120 DB Hang Snatch
Every 3 mins
15/12 Cal Assualt Bike
10 Hand Release Push Ups
Friday:
Finally, we conclude the week with an awesome partner workout that combines aerobic work with strongman exercises.
Strength:
EMOM x 5 6 Sandbag Over Bar
Conditioning:
In Pairs for Time:
800m run together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
100 Cal Ski
Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
80 Cal Ski
Half Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
60 Cal Ski
Car Park Run (Together)
20 Sandbag Over Bar
40 Cal Ski
ENGINE
Double Mikko’s Triangle. We’re doubling the time and aiming to double the calories. Can you match your pace and hold on?
GYMNASTICS
Tuesday morning, we're diving into all things handstand push-ups with both strict and kipping variations, plus some fun progressions to challenge your upside-down game. Expect overhead strength work and spicy core finishers, too.
Toes-to-bar will take centre stage on Thursday evening with drills on the low bar and rig to sharpen your skills. Then we’ll move on to capacity work before wrapping it up with core and lat work to boost strength, control, and coordination.
HYROX
Build the Upper body strength you need for HYROX with a focus on sled pulls, farmers carries, push-ups (to power through your burpees), push presses (for stronger wall balls) and SkiErg conditioning.
MOBILITY
We have been quite dominant with mobility for the lower body; per request, we will stick with the flows, but make sure we hit the upper body harder this weekend. This session will be aimed towards the people that have shoulder niggles.
PURE STRENGTH
This week's pure strength session marks the start of the deadlift cycle, following high-volume RDLS. We also have some heavy box squats and volume reps to finish up on Monday. On Wednesday, we will start a paused bench press progression, incorporating some overhead presses and barbell rows as accessories.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting, we are focusing on developing the split jerk technique. Followed by a classic complex of clean + front squat + jerk.
If you have never seen yourself run, I recommend that you have a look, it’s likely that you will be surprised. Ask a friend, coach, or simply set up your phone on selfie mode and film yourself running. In just a few seconds you will probably notice a few things that you didn’t realise you were doing whilst running.
Running is arguably one of the most natural movements, but we all do it differently. Everyone has their own running style, which is usually geared by their lifestyle and background. You might have broken your ankle when you were a teenager or you might sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, the list is endless for reasons as to why we all run differently.
Whilst there is not necessarily one “right way” to run, there are certainly ways that we can all make our own run form more efficient. And in turn, allow us to run stronger, faster, and more economically. But how?
If you have ever attended a coached running session, you have probably heard some running cues. These cues often allow athletes to bring their focus back to their run form, as opposed to daydreaming through a session. Whether you are daydreaming or running fatigued, both scenarios can create a break in run form, but cues from a coach or even just yourself can help you immensely.
Three top cues you might hear at a coached session that you can also cue yourself on when running are:
1. Run Tall
Essentially, we are looking for the foot to be landing underneath the hips, and not have the upper body break at the hips. Getting the foot placement correct, means that the rest of the running phase will become easier. If a runner lands with their foot out in front, the force applied on landing dissipates, meaning that more force has to be generated take off again. Instead, when landing with a flat foot (tripod landing) under the hip, it allows utilisation of the short stretch cycle (SSC) in the foot. This in turn creates free energy to spring back off the ground into the take-off position.
Furthermore, breaking at the hips automatically shortens the hip flexors, which hinders the knee drive, resulting in creating less air underneath the body to cycle the legs.
Something that you can easily use to remind yourself of this is to imagine that a string is running through your torso and head, pulling you up and slightly forward.
2. Use your Arms
Most runners forget to think about their arms whilst running. The arms actually set the scene for a runner's cadence; what our arms do, the legs follow. For most people it’s one of the biggest improvements that can be made to their run form. Think about keeping your shoulders relaxed, move arms dynamically to the rear by driving from the elbow, and keep your hands soft with thumb and index finger touching.
3. Relax your shoulders, hands, and mind
Whilst to run well, a runner needs tension in the ankles, hips, and core, it is often the case that unnecessary tension develops in other areas of the body, especially once fatigued. Just look at race photos from the beginning of a race versus the end of a race, and you will probably see where your tight spot is. For many runners, it’s held the shoulders and hands. Checking in with yourself during a run and reminding yourself to relax any unnecessary tension when the going gets tough can help both physically and mentally.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 8 mins blocks. You will take a 3 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 3x.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 200s and 600s at 3km and 5km pace. We will help you identify the best pace group for your ability at the session.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running1km at effort, into 4 x 400s and then back to 1km of effort. Push hard on the 400s, these should be a 9/10 RPE.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be running
10X
1min @ 9/10; 1min @ 3/10
5mins easy jog
then,
4X
4mins @ 7/10; 1min @ 1/10 (easy jog/walking)
Coffee post session at Common Grounds at 7am.
Monday:
We start the week with some single-leg deadlifts into a power clean front squat complex, followed by a leg-focused workout that is sure to set the tone for the week.
Strength:
A) Every 2:30 x 5 6/6 Single Leg Deadlift
B) Every 90secs x 5 2 power clean + 2 front squat
Conditioning:
17min AMRAP
3 Power Clean (60/40)
6 Front Squat
9 Box Jump
Tuesday:
On Tuesday, it's all about push and pull in the strength work, with pull-ups, bench press, gorilla rows, and some static overhead strength.
Strength:
A) EMOM x 6 - 15-20 sec UB kipping pull-ups
B) Alt EMOM x 10 - 8 DB Bench Press / 12 Alt Gorilla Row
C) Alt EMOM x 9 -M1 - 30 Sec Dual KB OH / 30 sec hollow hold / 30 sec arch hold/rock
Conditioning:
4 rounds for time:
16 Alt KB STOH
1 Lap Car Park Farmers Carry
10 Burpees Over KB
30 Double Unders
Wednesday:
On Wednesday, we will start with some heavy squats, followed by work on both the GHD hip extension and the GHD sit-up, and then a tough interval workout.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 6 - 3 2 2 1 1 back squat + 1 set AMRAP @ 80% of top single
B) Alt EMOM x 12 - 5/10 GHD Sit Ups / 30 sec Pallof Press L&R / 10-15 Hip Extensions
Conditioning
In a 3-minute window:
15 TTB
30 wall balls
AMRAP cal row
Rest 2 mins x 3
Thursday:
On Thursday, we have some bodybuilding in the strength work, followed by a real test of grip and capacity in the workout with high-volume dumbbell snatches.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 5 6/6 DB Strict Press
B) Alt EMOM x 9 - 30 sec banded tricep extension / 15-20 DB Lateral Raise / 15-20 Barbell Bicep Curls
Conditioning:
For time:
120 DB Hang Snatch
Every 3 mins
15/12 Cal Assualt Bike
10 Hand Release Push Ups
Friday:
Finally, we conclude the week with an awesome partner workout that combines aerobic work with strongman exercises.
Strength:
EMOM x 5 6 Sandbag Over Bar
Conditioning:
In Pairs for Time:
800m run together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
100 Cal Ski
Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
80 Cal Ski
Half Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
60 Cal Ski
Car Park Run (Together)
20 Sandbag Over Bar
40 Cal Ski
ENGINE
Double Mikko’s Triangle. We’re doubling the time and aiming to double the calories. Can you match your pace and hold on?
GYMNASTICS
Tuesday morning, we're diving into all things handstand push-ups with both strict and kipping variations, plus some fun progressions to challenge your upside-down game. Expect overhead strength work and spicy core finishers, too.
Toes-to-bar will take centre stage on Thursday evening with drills on the low bar and rig to sharpen your skills. Then we’ll move on to capacity work before wrapping it up with core and lat work to boost strength, control, and coordination.
HYROX
Build the Upper body strength you need for HYROX with a focus on sled pulls, farmers carries, push-ups (to power through your burpees), push presses (for stronger wall balls) and SkiErg conditioning.
MOBILITY
We have been quite dominant with mobility for the lower body; per request, we will stick with the flows, but make sure we hit the upper body harder this weekend. This session will be aimed towards the people that have shoulder niggles.
PURE STRENGTH
This week's pure strength session marks the start of the deadlift cycle, following high-volume RDLS. We also have some heavy box squats and volume reps to finish up on Monday. On Wednesday, we will start a paused bench press progression, incorporating some overhead presses and barbell rows as accessories.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting, we are focusing on developing the split jerk technique. Followed by a classic complex of clean + front squat + jerk.
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email Rob Foster
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
If you have never seen yourself run, I recommend that you have a look, it’s likely that you will be surprised. Ask a friend, coach, or simply set up your phone on selfie mode and film yourself running. In just a few seconds you will probably notice a few things that you didn’t realise you were doing whilst running.
Running is arguably one of the most natural movements, but we all do it differently. Everyone has their own running style, which is usually geared by their lifestyle and background. You might have broken your ankle when you were a teenager or you might sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, the list is endless for reasons as to why we all run differently.
Whilst there is not necessarily one “right way” to run, there are certainly ways that we can all make our own run form more efficient. And in turn, allow us to run stronger, faster, and more economically. But how?
If you have ever attended a coached running session, you have probably heard some running cues. These cues often allow athletes to bring their focus back to their run form, as opposed to daydreaming through a session. Whether you are daydreaming or running fatigued, both scenarios can create a break in run form, but cues from a coach or even just yourself can help you immensely.
Three top cues you might hear at a coached session that you can also cue yourself on when running are:
1. Run Tall
Essentially, we are looking for the foot to be landing underneath the hips, and not have the upper body break at the hips. Getting the foot placement correct, means that the rest of the running phase will become easier. If a runner lands with their foot out in front, the force applied on landing dissipates, meaning that more force has to be generated take off again. Instead, when landing with a flat foot (tripod landing) under the hip, it allows utilisation of the short stretch cycle (SSC) in the foot. This in turn creates free energy to spring back off the ground into the take-off position.
Furthermore, breaking at the hips automatically shortens the hip flexors, which hinders the knee drive, resulting in creating less air underneath the body to cycle the legs.
Something that you can easily use to remind yourself of this is to imagine that a string is running through your torso and head, pulling you up and slightly forward.
2. Use your Arms
Most runners forget to think about their arms whilst running. The arms actually set the scene for a runner's cadence; what our arms do, the legs follow. For most people it’s one of the biggest improvements that can be made to their run form. Think about keeping your shoulders relaxed, move arms dynamically to the rear by driving from the elbow, and keep your hands soft with thumb and index finger touching.
3. Relax your shoulders, hands, and mind
Whilst to run well, a runner needs tension in the ankles, hips, and core, it is often the case that unnecessary tension develops in other areas of the body, especially once fatigued. Just look at race photos from the beginning of a race versus the end of a race, and you will probably see where your tight spot is. For many runners, it’s held the shoulders and hands. Checking in with yourself during a run and reminding yourself to relax any unnecessary tension when the going gets tough can help both physically and mentally.
If you have never seen yourself run, I recommend that you have a look, it’s likely that you will be surprised. Ask a friend, coach, or simply set up your phone on selfie mode and film yourself running. In just a few seconds you will probably notice a few things that you didn’t realise you were doing whilst running.
Running is arguably one of the most natural movements, but we all do it differently. Everyone has their own running style, which is usually geared by their lifestyle and background. You might have broken your ankle when you were a teenager or you might sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, the list is endless for reasons as to why we all run differently.
Whilst there is not necessarily one “right way” to run, there are certainly ways that we can all make our own run form more efficient. And in turn, allow us to run stronger, faster, and more economically. But how?
If you have ever attended a coached running session, you have probably heard some running cues. These cues often allow athletes to bring their focus back to their run form, as opposed to daydreaming through a session. Whether you are daydreaming or running fatigued, both scenarios can create a break in run form, but cues from a coach or even just yourself can help you immensely.
Three top cues you might hear at a coached session that you can also cue yourself on when running are:
1. Run Tall
Essentially, we are looking for the foot to be landing underneath the hips, and not have the upper body break at the hips. Getting the foot placement correct, means that the rest of the running phase will become easier. If a runner lands with their foot out in front, the force applied on landing dissipates, meaning that more force has to be generated take off again. Instead, when landing with a flat foot (tripod landing) under the hip, it allows utilisation of the short stretch cycle (SSC) in the foot. This in turn creates free energy to spring back off the ground into the take-off position.
Furthermore, breaking at the hips automatically shortens the hip flexors, which hinders the knee drive, resulting in creating less air underneath the body to cycle the legs.
Something that you can easily use to remind yourself of this is to imagine that a string is running through your torso and head, pulling you up and slightly forward.
2. Use your Arms
Most runners forget to think about their arms whilst running. The arms actually set the scene for a runner's cadence; what our arms do, the legs follow. For most people it’s one of the biggest improvements that can be made to their run form. Think about keeping your shoulders relaxed, move arms dynamically to the rear by driving from the elbow, and keep your hands soft with thumb and index finger touching.
3. Relax your shoulders, hands, and mind
Whilst to run well, a runner needs tension in the ankles, hips, and core, it is often the case that unnecessary tension develops in other areas of the body, especially once fatigued. Just look at race photos from the beginning of a race versus the end of a race, and you will probably see where your tight spot is. For many runners, it’s held the shoulders and hands. Checking in with yourself during a run and reminding yourself to relax any unnecessary tension when the going gets tough can help both physically and mentally.
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