Good morning!
One of the most stunning facts I have seen as it relates to running is: “Eighty percent of running injuries is due to poor training.”
With the large amount of injuries related to running, the idea that poor training is the culprit is disturbing, though the alternative (effective training), gives us hope of fewer injuries. What is effective training and how does it differ from what is being offered through though the various outlets such as the internet, books and even running coaches?
Effective training does not:
These are just of the few “does not’s,” and now on the opposite side of the coin is what “Effective training does do:
These are just some of “does do,” and it could easily be a longer list.
Ever since I started coaching and eventually founded No Finish Line Running, I was determined to create a business model that was centered on the most effective training for each individual. In those early years my frustration was more about the wide range of runners participating in the training groups and how that range fragmented the group. Evolving from forcing a distance to understanding the value of time- based training, not only kept the group more as one, but also proved to be beneficial in many important ways.
To be completely honest, my initial reason for changing from distance based to time-based training was for greater group cohesion, however when I initially researched the concept, I opened Pandora’s Box.
Time based training was not only effective for group training, but physiologically it was found to have healthy training benefits. This new understanding took hold of me and not long thereafter, NFLR was born.
Initially I focused on learning about the science of efficient and healthy running through formal education and science-based information. Fact based studies and Kinesiology became the foundation of NFLR’s personal and group training. No more internet programs, generic plans or systems solely based on inputting numbers. While we believe in data and science, it is proven if to be effectively utilized, the individual’s uniqueness must be factored in. Effective training requires both components.
Not long after we developed our foundation of effective running, we realized how important running form was to both a runner’s health and running efficiency. This led to investing a professional state of the art gait analysis system. While other program aps became available, we invested in the Medical Motion gait analysis system that allows us to provide in depth analysis of a runner’s form from every angle. As with everything else, we sought out technical expertise and we received training from the Association OF Clinical Excellence (ACE) and were certified in gait analysis.
Lastly (no less important), understanding the role of stability & mobility as it matters to runners has become another focus of effective running. Having again sought out education and certification (American Council on Exercise), we learned the technical importance of functional strength required to run on a regular basis. Us runners tend to focus on running, however to effectively run and train, we must address stability & mobility on a regular basis. Unfortunately, most pursue strength training the wrong way and there running gains no benefit. Functional is critical to effective.
Despite a still lingering flu, I got a little long in the chat. My apologies :) My intent is to challenge your approach to running. Maybe you have not been injured or you have dealt with injuries, either way, we must consider how to best effectively train.
Have a great Sunday and an even better week! God Bless!
Mike
