The world likes to convince you that running is bad for the knees and the reason you get injured.
People tell me different reasons why they are not running
– I’m not built to run
– My doctor told me to stop
– I’m too bulky
– I’m getting older
– I’m injured
The truth, running is one of the best sport to maintain a healthy body and structure.
Why ? Due to the force of gravity.
We need gravity to live. In space we age at an accelerate rate due to the lack of gravity.
We are built to live on earth, not Mars ????
Some physical benefits of running
– increases bone density
– stimulates recoil energy & tendon rigidity
– enhance muscular strength
– quick cardiovascular adaptation
– burns plenty of calories !
We simply don’t get the same benefits from swimming and even riding. We don’t attain similar cellular adaptation from low impact or buoyancy sports, even if they are excellent activity.
So why is there so many running injury and that running gets a bad wrap ?
Very simple,
Runners need to learn how to run ! Or should I say, runners need to work on form efficiency to improve the basic skills required to be economical and to reduce mechanical overload- and eliminate overuse injury. Run economy make us faster while saving precious energy.
Unfortunately we should learn this in school !
How do we achieve this ?
– by improving quality of strides with drills
– fine-tuning technique for all terrain
– optimizing elasticity, mobility and run cycle efficiency
– cadence consistency (pacing) and faster than slower leg turnover
– a running program balanced between speed and distance training
– just to name a few ????
Like any sport, to focus on technical skills is the way to progress. For some reason we don’t tell you that when it comes to running. Everyone can run, it’s easy !!!
Running is technical. We are constantly on one leg pushing off from the toes and landing on the opposite foot while the brain is trying to keep you stable, balanced and moving forward against the force of gravity.
Also almost everyone has musculoskeletal imbalances, poor mobility, weak, tight and-or inhibited muscles. The reason you may roll your ankle is probably not due to hypermobility but from weak lower leg and intrinsic foot musculature.
All this adds up, result = negative stress, mechanical overload against the ground force of gravity. Tightness, soreness, pain and injury are often to be followed.
A female runner that weighs 75kg with good running technique gets less ground impact force than a female runner who weighs 50kg with poor form. The ground force difference can be from 3x to 8x your body weight depending of technique.
That’s why so many runners get injured.
Does not mean the skinny runner is lighter on is feet !
I’m working for the space program and with astronauts at the ISS, each of them train a few hours a day, some use the treadmill with a suction belt technology to simulate gravity in an attempt to stay fit and reduce the physical aging process, the byproduct of living in space. An astronaut that spends 2 to 6 months in space can easily age a few decades. Bones become hollow, muscle atrophy and soft tissue degenerate, just to name a few of the side effects of living in space.
Treadmill running, even in space, reduces the effect of aging and overuse injuries !
Lesson learned
Running is good for us, it stimulates the brain, body and mind like no other movement. BUT as long as we commit and work towards having better form ; like waxing your skis and fine-tuning your bike.
Take care of your equipment so it can last a very long time :)))
Unfortunately many running & training trends on social media are false or generalized.
Even coaching advice can be poor when knowledge & experience is almost non-existent.
Fast food feeding info !
It’s wrong to say that a fore foot runner suffer less injury and it’s the way to run (there is more to it), and that’s only one example. Get your info from real expert and-or experienced and accredited professionals. The sheer amount of perspectives and competing sources of advice on running and performance can be overwhelming.
Feel free to email your questions at run@chamonixrunfest.com
Efficient biomechanics doesn’t come overnight, with cognitive training, focusing on sport specific skills & drills, is a step towards higher-performance.
Quiet and quick feet + dynamic stride and upper body = the start to a smooth & faster ride !
Be a stride forward and enjoy gravity,
Chloë
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