Maybe you shouldn’t change your stride (Part 2)
Last month I gave an introduction into gait analysis, and a general idea of when one should change their stride. The take home message was that generally speaking, there are times when extreme form flaw can be identified and should be corrected. However, it is also apparent that there is a wide range of what is acceptable, a […]
Maybe you shouldn’t change your stride (Part 1)
Something I get asked a lot about is how to improve running form to enhance performance. I figured the best way too approach this very complicated issue is to do a series of posts over the next 2-3 months. This first post will simply be an introduction into the concept of what exactly a “perfect […]
Running vs. videogames: Which makes us smarter?
Whenever I get back from a run, I typically feel as though I can think with more clarity and work more efficiently. Not only that, I have sometimes gotten the impression that if I go for a run, my retention of newly learned information skyrockets. That’s why during my days as a nerdy chiro student, […]
Does beetroot juice actually make you faster?
A large part of what I focus on in this column is how you can alter your training to enhance performance. Training-schmraining…wouldn’t it be nice if there were ways to enhance performance without putting in any extra effort? Unfortunately, most effortless strategies that make as faster are dangerous and against the rules (EPO, blood doping etc.). […]
How does your hill running technique compare to elites’?
Happy New Year readers! With 2016 finally upon us, it’s time to start laying down base training for a successful year of racing. During this early phase of your year, it’s a good time to think about and train things that you really don’t have time for during the race season. One of these components: […]
How nuclear bombs tell us to take time off
The off-season is officially upon us! YA. Time to dial back the volume and intensity, take care of low-grade injuries, get back to other aspects of training you’ve missed, and just generally take it easy and dream up performances to come in 2016. At our club, Health and Performance, I have seen a number of […]
The three keys to fueling your marathon
The fall marathon season is almost upon us! With only a few weeks to go for many of you, it’s time to taper, to let the body recover and to get ready for battle. At this point it’s difficult to make any significant fitness gains, so dial back on that running. It is, however, quite easy […]
How effective are altitude tents?
Every runner has heard of altitude training. The principal is simple: go somewhere high up where the air is thinner and force our bodies to adapt to the decreased oxygen concentration. These hypoxic conditions stimulate a release of the hormone EPO which causes a spike in the production of red blood cells, increasing the oxygen carrying capacity […]
Is pain slowing you down?
As you read this (as long as you are reading it in the first full week of May, 2015), a local runner named Charlotte Vasarhelyi is trying to conquer a 6-day running event. The premise of the event is simple: ignore your brain and its valiant efforts to slow you down and keep running. Do this for 144 […]
Why does strength training make us faster?
Last month, I wrote an article looking at the impact strength training can have on our running performance. In essence, the studies I presented showed that weight training, specifically high weight low rep, is great for boosting running economy. Why does strength training impact our running economy? There are a few mechanisms of action that […]