fbpx

๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿฝโ€โ™€๏ธ How to start running (again) and not get injured . . .

Hey! – Rob here ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿผ

ย 

Your Daily Health Fix today is about …ย 

Running for beginners

If you think about it logically, a human animal that can’t run, is likely a human animal that won’t survive.ย 

ย 

In today’s environment we don’t need to be agile to catch our next meal, and we’re rarely threatened in a way that requires a sprint to safety. Needless to say, it’s still true that even if you don’t need to run, or don’t enjoy running for fun, optimising for being better at runningย will still pay off with your overall health and longevity.

ย 

Despite running being one of our primary and primal movements, many of us have lost the ability to run well, and often experience pains and injuries when trying to get into a running habit – or we just avoid running altogether to avoid the inevitable discomfort.

ย 

Here’s 3 top tips that will help you, the beginner (or you, the perpetually injured) get into running in a pain free and sustainable way.

ย 

ย 

Go Backwards

Yes, sounds crazy right?

ย 

Don’t even think about including regular (forward) running in your routineย until you can comfortably run backwards for 5-10 minutes.

ย 

Why? – Well, as well as improving your landing mechanics, and allowing time for bone density adaptation in your lower legs, you’ll also strengthen the various muscles around the knees and back of your legs without putting any forwards shearing force on your patella tendon or the minisci (cartilage).ย 

ย 

And this is before mentioning that running backwards is hard! At the same time as protecting your legs, you’llย develop significant gains in your cardio-aerobic capacity.

ย 

When you do eventually start running forwards you’ll be primed for a pain free start with good foundations for gentle landings and solid physical resilience.

ย 

ย 

Go Barefoot

Do it when you start going backwards and continue when you transition to normal forwards running.ย 

ย 

Find a grassy field, or take off your shoes on the treadmill. We have become so isolated to sensations fromย the use of bad shoesย that the muscles in our feet and ankles have become weak. As soon as youย start spending more (active) time barefoot, your feet will start to repair themselves.ย 

ย 

When barefoot, it’s almost impossible to over-stride, to land with disproportional impact, or to push off without engaging the right muscles in your legs. Rather than spending hours analysing running technique, or trying to compensate with gimmicks like the newest shoes or insoles, just set yourself free of those kicksย and let nature do what it does best.

ย 

Added bonus – you’ll be getting inย your grounding time tooย for all the physiological and psychological benefits it brings.

ย 

ย 

Go on one leg

Spend as much time doing single leg exercises as you can – and especially in reverse.

ย 

From building strength in your hips and lower back, to improving balance and control over your ankles and arch, movements such as as standing on one leg, the single leg deadlift or hip-hinge, or simply slowly stepping down off a high box in reverse, will build and maintain the foundations you need to tackle the forces put on your legs as you increase your running volume and speed. Don’t forgetย the value in using the stairsย too.

. . . That’s it for this dose,

ย 

Until the next time – Stay Motivated!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ

ย 

Rob

ย 

P.S. If you’re enjoying these updates and they are helping you, please support me and The Health Fix by buying me a coffee โ˜•๏ธ

P.S.S. ย Want to share this Daily Health Fixย doseย via text, social media, or email? Just copy and paste this link:

P.S.S.S (๐Ÿคท๐Ÿฝโ€โ™‚๏ธ!).ย  When you’re ready –ย If you need a helping hand getting off on the right path towards improved health & fitness, book a free call to discuss 1 on 1 coaching and mentoring.

The โ€˜Your Daily Health Fixโ€™ post or email does not constitute individual medical or health advice or guidance. Always do your own research and consult directly with a professional.ย 

ย 

These post are intended to be informative, educational and entertaining. Often bold claims may be made or strong opinions offered. These statements may be contrary to popular convention or commonly disseminated narratives. It is our intention to keep these publications brief, so sometimes references or links may be excluded. We will not make any claim or give generalised conclusions or guidance that cannot be substantiated with scientific research or other forms of evidence.

ย 

Read our terms of service here

SEND ME MY HEALTH FIX!

We’ll keep you updated with all the best tips, guidance, science, knowledge and techniques – helping you to maximise your fitness and optimize your health.

The Health Fix Logo

LET'S GET STARTED!

Welcome to The Health Fix!

ย 

To start your journey towards optimal health and fitness choose one of the options below . . .

If you have a general enquiry or are unsure which package is right for you,ย send us a messageย and weโ€™ll be in touch to answer all your questions.

The Health Fix Logo

SCHEDULE A COACHING CALL . . .

Use the booking widget below to select the date and time that is most convenient for you.

If you have an issue with the booking widget or are unsure which scheduling option might be best, contact us here and we’ll be glad to assist.

The Health Fix Logo

SCHEDULE A COACHING CALL . . .

Use the booking widget below to select the date and time that is most convenient for you.

If you have an issue with the booking widget or are unsure which scheduling option might be best, contact us here and we’ll be glad to assist.

ARE YOU IN?

Subscribe to The Health Fix to receive the best of our nutritional guidance, fitness techniques, research reviews, news & updates – direct to your inbox for FREE!!

All you need to help you achieve and maintain optimal health!!

The Health Fix Logo

CHOOSE YOUR TRAINING PACKAGE

Select the mentoring package that best suits you – upon completion of your purchaseย weโ€™ll be in touch very soon to schedule your first meeting and get you set up with all that you need!

If you have a general enquiry or are unsure which package is right for you,ย send us a messageย and weโ€™ll be in touch to answer all your questions.