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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
Long EMOM with a mixture of machines and body weight exercises.
GYMNASTICS
This Tuesday, we’re focusing on pull-up progressions! Strict, kipping, and butterfly will appear, followed by lat and core supersets.
On Thursday evening, we’ll focus on handstand hold progressions before having some fun with handstand walks and finishing off the session with core and strength work.
HYROX
This is the Last Simulation before race week. We will lower the volume but keep the intensity high to make sure you are ready for race day!
ENGINE: Long EMOM with a mixture of machines and body weight exercises
MOBILITY
This week, we have the topic: Why are your calves and hamstrings always tight? What can we do to remedy this? Get yourself booked in, and I will show you! This is a great session for everyone, but it is extra beneficial to those runners out there!
PURE STRENGTH
This week's pure strength, we have a chance to progress our 20 RM RDL, followed by some heavy press and strict press cluster sets.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting, we are focusing on the squat clean. With a fun complex followed by some pulls. Perfect technique session, working on the barbell timing and full depth in the clean
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 - Jebel Jais Ride
Today our weekly endurance ride is at Jebel Jais! If you're interested to join email us here.
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Monday
There is no in person session this week at LRC. Those who are Unlimited Members, your Training Peaks have been programmed still.
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 600m repeats. Which will start at 5km pace and progress to 3km pace, so that the pace increases within each rep.
Wednesday
There is no in person session this week at LRC. Those who are Unlimited Members, your Training Peaks have been programmed still.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be running a negative split session, meaning that the second half is faster than the first. After 30 mins of easy running, lock into a 20 mins block of effort from 7 - 9 RPE.
Saturday
Time: 5:15am
Location: Cape Town
Session: Two Oceans
Today the 56km runners will be taking on Two Oceans.
Sunday
Time: 6:00am
Location: Cape Town
Session: Two Oceans
Today the 21km runners will be taking on Two Oceans.
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Eid Mubarak, we hope you all have a great long weekend! Class times are different this week, so please check the schedule on Mindbody! We have a great week lined up, so see you all on the gym floor!
Monday:
We start the week with an epic partner workout. Grab a partner, and let's start the week with a bang!
Conditioning:
40 min amrap in pairs
50 Cal Row
6 wall walks
50 CB Clean and Jerk
6 Wall Walks
50 Box Jump Overs
6 Wall Walks
Tuesday:
On Tuesday, we have some push-and-pull work in our strength area, focused on overhead pressing, and then 2 12-minute AMRAPs for you to get stuck into.
Strength:
Every 90 sec x 8 Alt between
A: 8 Dual DB Z press
B: 20 Alt Gorilla Rows
Conditioning:
12 min amrap
30 Wall balls
30/25 cal ski
30 Double Unders
Rest 3 Mins
12 min amrap
30/25 Sal Ass bike
20 V Ups
20 Russian KB Swings
Wednesday:
Wednesday, we are hitting some paused back squats in the strength, and then we get after a real grind of a WOD with some burpee pull-ups, front squats, and running.
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 6 - 3/3/2/2/1/1 Tempo Back Squats @21X1
Conditioning:
10 rounds for time
5 Front Squats
Pool Run
5 burpee pull-ups
Thursday:
Thursday, snatch complex with some accessory, followed by the workout ACID BATH.
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 8 - 1 Snatch Pull + 1 hang Power Snatch +
1 Power snatch
rest 3 mins
Every 2 mins x 3 - 5 Snatch Grip Deadlift
Conditioning:
For time
500m ski
500m row
1000m c2 bike
Friday:
FUF - Finishing the week with some push-pull work in the strength, before an all-in barbell workout to end the week! What Better!
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 5 - 5 push press
rest 3 mins
Every 2 mins x 4 complete 6 DB bench Press @ 30x1 + 3-5 strict pull ups
Conditioning:
5 min amrap
9 Deadlift
6 Hang Power Clean
3 STOH
Rest 3 mins x 3
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 - Jebel Jais Ride
Today our weekly endurance ride is at Jebel Jais! If you're interested to join email us here.
Monday
There is no in person session this week at LRC. Those who are Unlimited Members, your Training Peaks have been programmed still.
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 600m repeats. Which will start at 5km pace and progress to 3km pace, so that the pace increases within each rep.
Wednesday
There is no in person session this week at LRC. Those who are Unlimited Members, your Training Peaks have been programmed still.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be running a negative split session, meaning that the second half is faster than the first. After 30 mins of easy running, lock into a 20 mins block of effort from 7 - 9 RPE.
Saturday
Time: 5:15am
Location: Cape Town
Session: Two Oceans
Today the 56km runners will be taking on Two Oceans.
Sunday
Time: 6:00am
Location: Cape Town
Session: Two Oceans
Today the 21km runners will be taking on Two Oceans.
Eid Mubarak, we hope you all have a great long weekend! Class times are different this week, so please check the schedule on Mindbody! We have a great week lined up, so see you all on the gym floor!
Monday:
We start the week with an epic partner workout. Grab a partner, and let's start the week with a bang!
Conditioning:
40 min amrap in pairs
50 Cal Row
6 wall walks
50 CB Clean and Jerk
6 Wall Walks
50 Box Jump Overs
6 Wall Walks
Tuesday:
On Tuesday, we have some push-and-pull work in our strength area, focused on overhead pressing, and then 2 12-minute AMRAPs for you to get stuck into.
Strength:
Every 90 sec x 8 Alt between
A: 8 Dual DB Z press
B: 20 Alt Gorilla Rows
Conditioning:
12 min amrap
30 Wall balls
30/25 cal ski
30 Double Unders
Rest 3 Mins
12 min amrap
30/25 Sal Ass bike
20 V Ups
20 Russian KB Swings
Wednesday:
Wednesday, we are hitting some paused back squats in the strength, and then we get after a real grind of a WOD with some burpee pull-ups, front squats, and running.
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 6 - 3/3/2/2/1/1 Tempo Back Squats @21X1
Conditioning:
10 rounds for time
5 Front Squats
Pool Run
5 burpee pull-ups
Thursday:
Thursday, snatch complex with some accessory, followed by the workout ACID BATH.
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 8 - 1 Snatch Pull + 1 hang Power Snatch +
1 Power snatch
rest 3 mins
Every 2 mins x 3 - 5 Snatch Grip Deadlift
Conditioning:
For time
500m ski
500m row
1000m c2 bike
Friday:
FUF - Finishing the week with some push-pull work in the strength, before an all-in barbell workout to end the week! What Better!
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 5 - 5 push press
rest 3 mins
Every 2 mins x 4 complete 6 DB bench Press @ 30x1 + 3-5 strict pull ups
Conditioning:
5 min amrap
9 Deadlift
6 Hang Power Clean
3 STOH
Rest 3 mins x 3
ENGINE
Long EMOM with a mixture of machines and body weight exercises.
GYMNASTICS
This Tuesday, we’re focusing on pull-up progressions! Strict, kipping, and butterfly will appear, followed by lat and core supersets.
On Thursday evening, we’ll focus on handstand hold progressions before having some fun with handstand walks and finishing off the session with core and strength work.
HYROX
This is the Last Simulation before race week. We will lower the volume but keep the intensity high to make sure you are ready for race day!
ENGINE: Long EMOM with a mixture of machines and body weight exercises
MOBILITY
This week, we have the topic: Why are your calves and hamstrings always tight? What can we do to remedy this? Get yourself booked in, and I will show you! This is a great session for everyone, but it is extra beneficial to those runners out there!
PURE STRENGTH
This week's pure strength, we have a chance to progress our 20 RM RDL, followed by some heavy press and strict press cluster sets.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting, we are focusing on the squat clean. With a fun complex followed by some pulls. Perfect technique session, working on the barbell timing and full depth in the clean
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
There is no in person session this week at LRC. Those who are Unlimited Members, your Training Peaks have been programmed still.
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 600m repeats. Which will start at 5km pace and progress to 3km pace, so that the pace increases within each rep.
Wednesday
There is no in person session this week at LRC. Those who are Unlimited Members, your Training Peaks have been programmed still.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be running a negative split session, meaning that the second half is faster than the first. After 30 mins of easy running, lock into a 20 mins block of effort from 7 - 9 RPE.
Saturday
Time: 5:15am
Location: Cape Town
Session: Two Oceans
Today the 56km runners will be taking on Two Oceans.
Sunday
Time: 6:00am
Location: Cape Town
Session: Two Oceans
Today the 21km runners will be taking on Two Oceans.
Eid Mubarak, we hope you all have a great long weekend! Class times are different this week, so please check the schedule on Mindbody! We have a great week lined up, so see you all on the gym floor!
Monday:
We start the week with an epic partner workout. Grab a partner, and let's start the week with a bang!
Conditioning:
40 min amrap in pairs
50 Cal Row
6 wall walks
50 CB Clean and Jerk
6 Wall Walks
50 Box Jump Overs
6 Wall Walks
Tuesday:
On Tuesday, we have some push-and-pull work in our strength area, focused on overhead pressing, and then 2 12-minute AMRAPs for you to get stuck into.
Strength:
Every 90 sec x 8 Alt between
A: 8 Dual DB Z press
B: 20 Alt Gorilla Rows
Conditioning:
12 min amrap
30 Wall balls
30/25 cal ski
30 Double Unders
Rest 3 Mins
12 min amrap
30/25 Sal Ass bike
20 V Ups
20 Russian KB Swings
Wednesday:
Wednesday, we are hitting some paused back squats in the strength, and then we get after a real grind of a WOD with some burpee pull-ups, front squats, and running.
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 6 - 3/3/2/2/1/1 Tempo Back Squats @21X1
Conditioning:
10 rounds for time
5 Front Squats
Pool Run
5 burpee pull-ups
Thursday:
Thursday, snatch complex with some accessory, followed by the workout ACID BATH.
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 8 - 1 Snatch Pull + 1 hang Power Snatch +
1 Power snatch
rest 3 mins
Every 2 mins x 3 - 5 Snatch Grip Deadlift
Conditioning:
For time
500m ski
500m row
1000m c2 bike
Friday:
FUF - Finishing the week with some push-pull work in the strength, before an all-in barbell workout to end the week! What Better!
Strength:
Every 2 mins x 5 - 5 push press
rest 3 mins
Every 2 mins x 4 complete 6 DB bench Press @ 30x1 + 3-5 strict pull ups
Conditioning:
5 min amrap
9 Deadlift
6 Hang Power Clean
3 STOH
Rest 3 mins x 3
ENGINE
Long EMOM with a mixture of machines and body weight exercises.
GYMNASTICS
This Tuesday, we’re focusing on pull-up progressions! Strict, kipping, and butterfly will appear, followed by lat and core supersets.
On Thursday evening, we’ll focus on handstand hold progressions before having some fun with handstand walks and finishing off the session with core and strength work.
HYROX
This is the Last Simulation before race week. We will lower the volume but keep the intensity high to make sure you are ready for race day!
ENGINE: Long EMOM with a mixture of machines and body weight exercises
MOBILITY
This week, we have the topic: Why are your calves and hamstrings always tight? What can we do to remedy this? Get yourself booked in, and I will show you! This is a great session for everyone, but it is extra beneficial to those runners out there!
PURE STRENGTH
This week's pure strength, we have a chance to progress our 20 RM RDL, followed by some heavy press and strict press cluster sets.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting, we are focusing on the squat clean. With a fun complex followed by some pulls. Perfect technique session, working on the barbell timing and full depth in the clean
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 - Jebel Jais Ride
Today our weekly endurance ride is at Jebel Jais! If you're interested to join email us here.
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.
One-Hour Workout: Revving Your Swim Engine
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