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Training Tips

Jul 31 2017
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benefits of track work

The benefits of hitting the track

By | General, Training Tips | No Comments

The benefits of track work when training for anything longer than 5k aren’t often discussed during a race build. Track workouts have their time and place for any race distance.  While crucial for typical track events of 5000m and under, they also provide many benefits for any distance up to the marathon.  Even ultra marathoners do track workouts sometimes!  It can feel intimidating heading to the perfectly marked 400m oval. The fear of the workout’s intensity, not knowing how to pace, or pressure to perform an a perfectly flat and manicured surface can steer runners away.  Try to ignore those barriers and remember the benefits a track workout will provide.

Learn to pace

On the track, the terrain is consistent and is perfectly flat.  These characteristics help runners learn how to properly pace themselves and understand what difference paces feel like. When running on the track, you must mentally push yourself to keep on pace. This helps build mental strength as well as physical strength, which is the opposite of treadmill running that forcefully keeps you moving at the same speed.  Understand that not every interval needs to be an all-out effort.  Being able to keep tabs on the pace by checking splits every half-lap (200m) or full lap (400m), will provide timely feedback so you know how and when to adjust your pace.

Improved running economy/efficiency

Running easy is exactly what it sounds like: easy.  It builds a tolerance to pavement pounding and slowly creates an aerobic base, but it also only teaches how to run at a leisurely pace.  Track workouts encourage a faster turnover. Therefore, it teaches your body how to run fast by adapting neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and respiratory systems.  Faster turnover helps recruit and stimulate fast-twitch muscle fibers.  The amount in which it helps to make you run faster is very individual, but it will certainly help you from getting slower!  By building an aerobic foundation, it enhances the amount of oxygen that is consumed at a given pace. Meaning you’re able to hold a higher intensity for an extended duration before running out of steam.

Mental toughness

The thought of running around in 400m ovals isn’t exactly appealing. The monotony of the unchanging terrain and elevation can make it hard to remain motivated throughout a workout.  However, that’s exactly what makes the track great.  It requires mental toughness to remain on task throughout the workout especially with the workout’s heightened intensity. Seemingly unnecessary to do 400m repeats when training for a half or full marathon, it’s actually incredibly helpful.  When busting out shorter and faster intervals, it forces your legs to get out of an easy run shuffle and into a more powerful stride. By pushing a pace that can only be held for a short period of time, it makes the speed of threshold/tempo runs feel much more manageable.

So when training for your next goal race, be sure to include some speedy track sessions into your build.  Ideally grab a group of friends to accompany you and push the pace.  Do a full warmup to fully prepare your muscles for the intensity of the workout and don’t forget to have fun!

Jul 24 2017
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Dressing for the heat

By | General, Training Tips | No Comments

In the middle of summer, the heat has set in and most runner’s have become slightly more acclimatized to the weather.  However, if you typically run in the early morning/evenings when the temperature is lower, and you’re faced with an afternoon run, it can still be a shock to the system.  Much like winter running, what you wear can help you survive the run no matter what the conditions are.  Keeping sun safety, hydration, and thermoregulation in mind, these are some of the best ways to beat the heat.

Wear technical fabrics
We’ve all heard that cotton is the enemy, and it certainly is when it comes to running in the heat.  Unlike moisture-wicking technical fabrics, cotton absorbs sweat which weighs the clothing down and puts you at risk of chafing.  Technical fabrics are breathable and pull moisture away from the body to keep you cool through evaporation of sweat.

Keep it loose and light
Looser fitting shirts help to keep you cool by offering more ventilation as the air can move through the clothing unlike tighter fitting clothing which can retain body heat.  Choose light colours as they reflect the sunlight, whereas black/dark colour absorb the sun’s heat.  This will put you at risk of overheating.

Protect your head
Your body releases a lot of it’s heat through your head, so it’s important to wear a technical fabric hat or visor.  The benefit of a cap is that it protects your scalp from getting burnt, and can be stuffed with ice or soaked with cold water to cool you down even further.  Visors help shield your face and eyes from harmful UV rays, but do leave your head exposed to the sun.

Keep your eyes relaxed
It’s easy to forget how much energy squinting takes out of you while on the run.  It causes unnecessary  energy expenditure and can cause headaches or migraines.  Grab a pair of UVA & UVB protected sunglasses to keep your eyes relaxed and protected from the sun’s harmful rays.

Slather on the sunscreen
Skin is the body’s largest organ, so it’s important to protect it.  Make sure to apply sunscreen wherever there may be skin exposure; if you plan on delayering throughout the run, don’t forget those areas too!  Opt for at least SPF 30 and waterproof so that it stays on as you sweat on the run.

Accessorize with hydration
Running in the heat causes your body to sweat more and lose water and electrolytes at an alarming rate.  If not replaced in a timely manner, it puts you at heat of dehydration and susceptible to heat-related illnesses.  Use either a hand-held bottle, a fuel belt, or a hydration pack for easy access to fluids.  If you aren’t a fan of carrying something while you run, plan a route that passes by water fountains or convenience stores where you can pop in to grab a sports drink if necessary.

Jul 19 2017
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Running cool in hot weather

By | Training Tips | No Comments

When summer hits, it’s important to take the heat into consideration when you’re planning your weekly runs/workouts.  Fortunately the days are long so there are lots of options for putting the work in without suffering from the hot summer sun.  Here are a few things to consider before heading out for your run:

Be timely:

The coolest temperatures are in the morning and evening when the sun isn’t high in the sky.  The UV ray intensity is lower, and if you go in the morning there’s usually less people to dodge and it’ll boost your energy for the day!  Depending on whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, find a time that works best for you.

Keep hydrated:

No matter what time of day you run at, be sure to hydrate before, during and after your run.  Warmer temperatures require you to up your overall fluid intakes to keep your perspiration systems and temperature regulation in top form.  Depending on your individual sweat rate, and how salty your sweat is will change what your replenishing needs are.  Water may not be enough, so consider a sports drink or electrolyte supplement too.  If you’re heading out for a long run, plan your route so there are water fountains or convenience stores where you quench your thirst throughout the run.

Protect your skin:

Harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause skin damage, and can potentially lead to skin cancer especially in prolonged sun exposure.  Slather on the sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher with both UVA and UBV protection to prevent sun burns, protect your skin, and keep your skin/body temperature lower.  Your skin will thank you now and in the future!

Run cool:

Everyone has a go-to running route depending on their preference of terrain and scenery.  If possible, when the weather heats up choose a loop that either runs past water, or through the forest.  Bodies of water such as rivers, lakes and oceans tend to have breezier conditions that provide a slightly cooler environment.  Sticking to the trails will not only provide extra shade from the tree cover, but the softer surface won’t retain or radiate heat as much as asphalt does.

Dress appropriately:

Running is a perfect time to break out the bright and light colours that most people’s everyday neutral wardrobes don’t have.  Wearing dark colours or cottons is a sure-fire way to put yourself at risk of overheating; the dark colour absorb/attract the heat and cotton doesn’t have the best breathability.  Instead, opt for light-coloured and loose fitting attire that reflects the sun’s rays away and allows the breeze to get through.  Most athletic wear is now made of moisture-wicking synthetic fabric which helps to cool the body down, rather than the original cotton-tees that soak moisture up instead of wicking it away.

Always accessorize:

When fighting the heat don’t forget the value of a hat and sunglasses.  Choose a hat with breathable mesh so that the heat loss from your head isn’t trapped in the cap, and protects your scalp from the sun’s rays.  When grabbing sunglasses, don’t choose a trendy pair that don’t have proper UV protection.  Make sure that the lens have both UVA and UVB protection to shield your eyes from harmful light.

Adjust expectations:

Before you acclimatize to the heat, adjust your training and paces to accommodate for the increased energy expenditure that running in the heat brings.  It takes time to adjust to hot weather, so give yourself a couple of weeks to let you body adapt to the heat, especially if it hasn’t been given the gradual seasonal progression.  Begin by doing easy runs a few times a week, then slowly build in workouts and remember to slow the pace down and run by feel.  If you’re consistently running a minute slower per mile than normal but the effort is still there, understand that as long as the effort is there, the results will come!

Jul 12 2017
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The do’s and don’ts of training while injured

By | Training Tips, Uncategorised | No Comments

Runner’s are notorious for training through injury.  No matter how much this may be revered, doing this can do more damage than good.  The “no pain, no gain” mentality is a mindset many athlete’s have, but is a detrimental one.  There are times that training through discomfort is okay, like dealing with delayed onset muscle soreness from a previous workout. However, when the discomfort is actually painful, it’s worth second guessing your decision to train.  Many injuries start with a little niggle that gets pushed aside and trained through.  By not giving it a chance to heal, that niggle can escalate into pain, and then into a full-blown injury.

This is where listening to your body, and seeking professional helps comes in.  Getting injured doesn’t mean you’re sidelined from everything as there are many other cross-training activities that can help to maintain fitness.  Learning to train around an injury will not only help you to recover faster, it’ll keep your mind at ease.

See a doctor or sport-related practitioner to diagnose the problem, and use your own common sense and grit to keep training sensibly.  These are some of the most common mistakes of training with an injury, and how to avoid it from happening to you:

MISTAKE: “No pain, no gain.”
FIX: Listen to your body.

Our bodies are incredibly resilient and are able to downplay a lot of things.  We have nerve endings in our body that sense pain called nociceptors.  Depending on the area of the body that’s affected, pain that may feel intense in one area, may feel minimal somewhere else.  However, when any kind of pain is felt, it usually hurts for a reason and is a good indication that something is wrong.  The “no pain, no gain” mentality is a recipe for disaster.  When people push through these signals and continue doing the activity that causes pain, it’s not surprising that damage occurs.
So instead of trying to act like a hero, take time off from the painful activity.  This will allow any damage to remain minimal and heal more efficiently.  If the pain is significant or doesn’t improve after a few days of rest, consult a doctor or physiotherapist to assess the injury and determine the root cause.

MISTAKE: Consulting Dr. Google.
FIX: Consult a human professional.

Having the world’s knowledge at our fingertips can be a dangerous resource when trying to diagnose an injury.  What may be the signs and symptoms of a minor muscle strain, could look like the tell-tale signs of some rare incurable disease.  Unless you personally have a background in human anatomy and sports injuries, it’s best to leave the diagnosing up to the professionals.

Seek out a doctor, physiotherapist, chiropractor, or RMT who has experience with athletes and will understand your desire to get back to training as soon as possible.  Not only will they help to identify the problem, they’ll give a reasonable timeline, and be more understanding in their return to health plan.  Incorporating cross-training alternatives and maintenance exercises to prevent the injury from happening again, sport-specific practitioners will have you back in the game in a timely fashion.

MISTAKE: Thinking absolute rest is the answer.
FIX: Cross-train.

It’s normal to think that resting an injury is going to help it heal faster.  The issue is when people rest completely, and cease any and all activity.  Unless you’ve been told by a practitioner to do nothing, there will be other activities that won’t cause any pain or do further damage. Exercise, in any shape or form, helps your body recover.  People’s cardiovascular health, metabolism and immune system are all influenced by exercise in a positive way.
So instead of becoming a couch potato when you’re injured, try different cross-training activities and use your extra time to do tedious physio exercises that will stave off any other injuries.  Modify workouts but adjusting the intensity, only working non-injured muscles, and avoid anything that causes pain.  You’ll be able to maintain fitness, gain overall strength, and keep sane during a time where you’re unable to run.

MISTAKE: Starting where you left off.
FIX: Ease back into it.

Being injured is bad enough, but it’s even harder when you’re allowed to run again but have restrictions on what you can do.  Trying to jump right back into training at the level you were at pre-injury, can set you back again.  While that fitness level might be the most fresh in your mind, it doesn’t mean your body is ready to do it.  Start back slowly and conservatively.  Avoid speedwork and hills for the first stage of recovery; don’t run on back-to-back days until you can run and have no pain before, during, or after; and increase your mileage by 10% per week.  Keeping these guidelines in mind will lessen the chance of reinjury.

Don’t give up! An injury is annoying and frustrating to deal with, but it doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to run again.  Seek out help, be patient, and rekindle your love for other activities; it’ll make the recovery time go by much faster!

Jul 05 2017
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#UAeastside10k Training Program

By | Eastside 10k, Training Tips | No Comments

With the Under Armour Eastside 10k fast approaching, our friends at MapMyRun have put together a well-structured training program to set you up for success. There are four parts to the program: Strength; Movement and Mobility; Running and Endurance; and Recovery. Here’s how it works:

Strength
The Strength program is designed to meet the demands of a runner looking for a more competitive edge. It isn’t designed to build muscle, but rather enhance your stability and mobility to runstronger.

Movement & Mobility
This routine will prepare your body for running by increasing mobility at the ankles, hips and T-spine. It will also activate your body for the twice weekly Strength sessions.

The Running & Endurance program is built for beginner- and intermediate-level runners. You will be introduced to tempo running, fast hill repeats and long slow runs, and you’ll develop the discipline for recovery runs.

Recovery
This routine is based on Under Armour’s belief that today’s recovery is tomorrow’s training. It is essential to attempt to restore movement quality after a run and the program is designed to hit the areas of the body that need the most attention.

All you need is eight weeks, a foam roller, and a firm commitment to get fast, strong and ready for race day. Are you ready? Read on for more details and download the official Under Armour 10k training plan here!

Get fast, strong and ready to toe the line come Race Day!

Whether you’re running your first 10K or your 100th, having a well-structured prepared training plan is your best bet to set you up for a successful race day. From mobility and endurance to strength and recovery, this plan provides everything you need to have your best race yet—and maybe even snag yourself a PR along the way.

Are you ready?

 

THIS EIGHT-WEEK PROGRAM WILL HELP YOU BECOME A BETTER RUNNER WITH MOBILITY, ENDURANCE STRENGTH, AND RECOVERY TRAINING.

 

Recovery Routine

Recovery Grid

Jun 22 2017
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Adjusting your race goals when things get hot

By | Racing Strategy, Training Tips | No Comments

Racing in the heat can be tough: you sweat more; your body temperature is higher; and your perceived exertion goes up for paces that are usually manageable.  The heat throw a wrench into your plans, both mentally and physically, especially if all of your training has done in cooler weather.  Most runners have race day plans for their pacing, various race strategies, and nutrition, but it’s rare that people plan for significant weather changes.  While you won’t be able to change the weather, there are ways to adjust to prepare yourself in a short amount of time:

If you’re travelling to run in a hot race, try to arrive to your destination as soon as you can.  Taking a few days to acclimate will make a big difference come race day.  The body needs time to adjust to the heat, especially if you’re coming from a cooler climate.

When temperatures go above 20C , the negative effects of heat start to amplify, so the least amount of exposure to the heat and sun possible one race day is ideal.  Cut your warmup short and do just enough to get your muscles moving and ready to ease into race pace. If you there’s an opportunity to keep cool in the shade, take it.  Also, think about bringing a towel to soak in cool water or ice, to place on your neck/hands in an effort to keep your core temperature down.  You’ll feel more comfortable at a cooler temperature and ready to run fast as a result.

Once the gun goes off, try to start at a slower pace and adjust your goals.  The heat can negatively affect the race, but it won’t necessarily sabotage it entirely. If you’re sensible in your approach, a fast time is possible, it just might not be a personal best.  By going out a little bit slower than initially intended will keep you in check, and increase the likelihood of finishing the race strong.

Throughout the race understand that your fueling strategies may have to change.  Your body will be working hard to regulate your temperature, so the fuel that you’re used to may not sit well in your gut.  However, drinking a fuelling is key so do your best to consume early and often.  Taking in nutrition while you’re feeling good in the first half of the race, will help you in the latter part of the run if things start to go sideways.  Taking even just a sip or two or water/sports drink at every station will help to get you to the finish line.

Adjusting your race plans and goals when the heat sets in can be enough to salvage a race.  Throughout training be sure to plan for any and every kind of mishap, it can make a difference when it really matters!

Jun 12 2017
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Perfecting the taper

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half, Training Tips | No Comments

Tapering can be the hardest part of a training block, but also the most important.  It’s a time where runners start to go a little stir crazy.  After months of training and maintaining a routine of running most days of the week, it’s always strange to cut mileage back.  Feelings of unpreparedness, sluggishness, and worry grip even the most confident runners.

Easing off of running volume, but not necessarily intensity, allows the body to fully recover from the training build.  With rested muscles that are fully loaded with energy, race pace will feel more manageable than ever.  Here are some tips to nail your taper without going too crazy from the lack of running!

Taper duration:

Taper phases can last anywhere from seven to 14 days depending on the race distance and the runner’s experience.  Make sure to stick to your taper plan even if you become restless.  It’s common for beginners to take two weeks to taper, while more experienced distance runners tend to opt for a one-week taper.

Training:

In the final weeks of a build, it’s unlikely you’ll gain a lot of extra fitness.  Instead of continuing to push your body right up to race day, ease off and allow it to bask in the efforts you’ve put forth in the months leading up to the race.  Cutting back your mileage is crucial to a successful taper, but it doesn’t mean that the intensity needs to decrease.  Many runners will reduce their total mileage by at least 50%, but still include a couple quality workouts to keep the legs feeling peppy and their mind at ease.  Reducing both running quantity and quality results in an overactive mind that convinces us that all our training has vanished and we’re unprepared.  So, keep the mileage low but maintain a small amount of intensity to keep the body sharp.

Distraction:

Less training, means more spare time.  Instead of going stir crazy, use this time to catch up on neglected tasks, or turn your training focus to recovery.  Go for a massage; stretch and roll out any kinks; go for short walks to get some fresh air; or take the time to visit with the friends and family that have supported you along the way.  Create race day plans, organize your race kit, collect your bib, set goals and visualize your race day success. This extra time should be filled with activities that celebrate YOU and get you into the best physical and mental state possible.

Nutrition:

Eating right and fuelling your resting muscles before a race is key.  Lower mileage doesn’t mean you have to slash your calories significantly.  With that, you don’t need to consume quite as much as you would during high training weeks. The taper is a time to replenish your stores and start storing glycogen for race day.  Fill your body with some extra complex carbohydrates in the couple of weeks before the race.  A gradual increase in carbohydrate is far more effective than wolfing down plates of pasta the night before the race which can result in feeling heavy or bloated come race morning.  As long as you’re sensible in your food intake and still eating healthy fats, protein and complex carbs, weight gain is unlikely.  Instead your body will thank you for the fuel and will be burned off come race day!

Sleep:

Pent up energy is common during a taper. This can sometimes make it difficult to get a good nights sleep.  Try to maintain a consistent schedule and hit the hay around the same time each night.  Catch up on your favourite TV shows, or grab a good book to rest your body and indulge in some frivolous entertainment.  Keep in mind that two nights before the race is the most important night for a restful sleep.  Most races occur on a Sunday, so Friday night is the important one.  It’s normal to have a short sleep the night before a race.  Many high level athletes you talk to will admit to barely sleeping the night before big events.  There’s too much excitement and anticipation the night before to truly rest.

Trust the taper!

It’s easy to feel “phantom pains” or have doubts sneak into your mind in the days before the race.  Try to ignore these thoughts and feelings, and stick to your plan.  Keep to your usual schedule, don’t try anything new leading up to the race, and believe that you’ve prepared yourself as best as you can.  Then, go out and have a killer race day!  That’s the fun part.

Jun 08 2017
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Connected Fitness

5 ways Connected Fitness apps and products can elevate your training.

By | Eastside 10k, Training Tips | No Comments

Today’s running competition is fierce and becoming your best takes more than just training. In the past, knowing when to train and how hard to train was simply based on how you felt. Now, through connected fitness apps and products, technology can test your body and tell you when and how to train, how to set goals and track against them. You no longer have to write down how you felt after a long run, or time yourself or even track your distance – connected fitness products do this for you allowing you to focus on one thing, your run. Below are five ways that connected fitness can elevate your training:

  1. Set Goals and Smash Them

Connected fitness apps such as MapMyRun make it easy for you to set goals, track them, beat them, and set new ones. You can track time, cadence, duration, distance and splits, making it super easy for you to see how you are tracking against your goals.

  1. Know when you’re ready to push the limits

The new Under Armour Record-Equipped shoes will tell you whether or not today is the day to push your limits. Each Record-Equipped shoe has a chip that not only tracks your run, but analyzes the explosive power in your jump to tell you whether or not your body is ready to train. To perform the jump test, simply jump around before your run. After setting a baseline, your jump score will measure muscle fatigue and recovery rate to suggest how intensely to run. To learn more about the shoes and the jump test, click here.

  1. Track your route

No more Google maps, no more getting lost. Apps like MapMyRun, make it easy for you to track your route and your time. If you have smart running shoes, simply go out for a run and the GPS tracker in the shoes will track your route, time, stride length, and more. Even if you’ve left your phone at home, Under Armour Record-Equipped shoes will track and store your run data for up to five runs before needing to be synced.

  1. Stay connected with some friendly competition

There’s no better way to push yourself than a little healthy competition. If you can’t get out and run with your friends or crew don’t worry, connected fitness allows you to have an online community where you can share your routes and results.

  1. When to get new shoes

Running in a pair of worn down sneakers is a recipe for an injury, and knowing when your favourite pair has run its course and are ready to retire is tricky. Under Armour Record-Equipped shoes keep track of how far you have run and send you a notification once your shoes have reached the 650 km mark – that’s approximately 15 marathons. After 650 km, it’s time to ditch the shoes and buy a new pair.

UA Record Equipped

May 29 2017
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Running in the Heat

Tips For Running In The Heat

By | Toronto Waterfront 10K, Training Tips | No Comments

The weather is the most unpredictable part of race day.  You have no control over the conditions, and they can change overnight depending on what Mother Nature wants to throw at us.  Not only does the weather on race day matter, but the weather in which you’ve done your training will determine how much you’re affected by race day conditions.  If it’s been a cold winter and spring, and your target race ends up being in scorching heat, the body is in for a shock!  Here are a few things that you can do to help make your race day as ideal as possible:

Layer up

As acclimation doesn’t happen instantly when the temperature warms up, you can use your final weeks before the race for mock heat training.  This doesn’t mean trying to wrestle a treadmill into a sauna and running for hours. Full acclimatization takes about 10-14 days so an easy way to get ready for the heat is to wear an extra layer on your runs. You can wear tights over shorts and a long sleeve over a singlet to get your body slightly more adapted to hotter conditions.  Don’t forget to increase your fluid intake before/during/after to ensure you don’t risk dehydration from higher sweat loss rates.

Arrive early

If your target race is out of town, try to arrive to the destination a few days in advance.  Just one or two days of acclimation can make a big difference come race day.  Doing a shakeout run and being in the heat for a few days will not only give you an idea of what to expect on race day, it’ll help prepare your body to better withstand the heat.

Focus on hydration/nutrition

Running in the heat increases your sweat production in order to dissipate heat and regulate your core temperature. When your sweat rate increases, it decreases your blood volume. This is due to a reduction in the body’s total fluid volume if you’re not adequately replenishing.  Maintaining a normal blood volume is essential as your muscles need blood flow and oxygen delivery in order to work effectively.  However, try not to just drink water.  Consume electrolytes and carbohydrates to help to keep your internal electrolyte balance stable.  Use the classic pee test to monitor your hydration.  Aim for a light yellow urine colour which indicates you’re hydrated but not diluted.

In terms of nutrition, the fuels you ingested in cooler climates may not sit as well in your gut when the weather heats up. Practice taking in fluid and fuel as much as you can in hotter conditions to know exactly what you’ll be able to take in on race day.  On the big day, equip yourself with the fuel you need, and be sure to drink early and often while on course.

Protect your body

Apply sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on any visible skin, including scalp, ears, and back of the neck, to protect it from the sun’s harmful UV rays.  But don’t just rely on sunscreen to protect you.  Wear a hat or visor, sunglasses, light-coloured and loose-fitting clothing.  The light colour will reflect the heat, and a loose fit will help to let the air circulate and cool your body down.

Start cool

If there’s a chance that you’re able to reduce your core temperature before the race starts, do it. Whether it’s consuming icy drinks, placing an ice bandana around the back of your neck, or wearing a fancy ice vest, use a method that’s accessible to you.  Being comfortably cool at the start of the race means you’ll take longer to get up to a level of overheating.  Ice on the back of the neck is a great option because when the ice melts, the cool water will trickle down your back and continue to keep you cool.

Set appropriate expectations

When coming into a hot race, understand that the temperature is going to affect the pace you’re able to hold for the duration of the race.  If you were shooting for a PB, think about setting that goal to the side if race day is going to be a scorcher.  Don’t underestimate the power of perceived exertion. Listen to your body over the splits that are displayed on your watch.

If your body is rebelling against the heat, reset and focus on the race as an experience and enjoy it.  If a personal best, or your A-goal isn’t attainable, weigh the pros/cons of finishing the race or deferring the effort to a subsequent race.  If stepping off the course is going to reduce your risk of injury and allow you to try again at a different race, it could be worth it.  Here is a chart that’s worth noting when trying to decide what to do:

DEW POINT (°F) RUNNER’S PERCEPTION HOW TO HANDLE
50–54 Very comfortable PR conditions
55–59 Comfortable Hard efforts likely not affected
60–64 Uncomfortable for some people Expect race times to be slower than in optimal conditions
65–69 Uncomfortable for most people Easy training runs might feel OK but difficult to race well or do hard efforts
70–74 Very humid and uncomfortable Expect pace to suffer greatly
75 or greater Extremely oppressive Skip it or dramatically alter goal

 

May 26 2017
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A Behind-The-Scenes Look at 3DRun Analysis

By | Training Tips | No Comments

The Fortius Lab, located within Fortius Sport & Health in Burnaby, is a state-of-the-art human performance lab that is accessible to all levels of athletes. In collaboration with their integrated team of sport medicine and science practitioners, the focus of the lab is to provide a series of tests and analyses that support in injury management, injury prevention, and optimize performance for athletes and active individuals.

Earlier this month, we were given the opportunity to offer two free Fortius Lab analyses to a participant of our races. Preston, a runner of only three years, undertook the challenge of going through the tests so he could share his experience with our readers. First up was a 3DRun Analysis.

WHAT IS A 3DRUN ANALYSIS?

The 3DRun Analysis looks at a runner’s form in three different planes: the sagittal plane (side view); frontal plane (front and back); and the transverse plane (birds eye view). Having three perspectives on the movement of the body while running allows the practitioner to see the forces produced when the foot hits the ground, and any restricted or excessive movement that may lead to injury over time.

All of these angles are filmed with state-of-the-art 3D video technology during a one-hour session on a force treadmill. The data collected is analyzed by a biomechanist and a report is shared during a follow-up appointment where the practitioner shows the runner the pros and cons of their running form. A practical review is provided with suggestions to determine if their movement patterns may be associated with a past or current injury, could be altered to prevent future injury, or could lead to greater efficiency in movement and overall improved performance.

Now, we’ll turn it over to Preston to hear his experience firsthand.

PRESTON’S STORY

Over the past 3 years my fitness goals have shifted dramatically. My journey started about 3 years ago with a desire to lose weight and improve my health after a break-up. As I began to see results I started getting curious about my potential. After losing approximately 98 lbs and vastly improving my cardio I met an experienced runner who invited me on my first 10K run and I was hooked.

My first goal was to complete a 10K in under an hour which I did (barely) in the spring of 2015. I ran my first half-marathon 2 months later with a goal time of 2 hours and missed it by a few minutes, but I knew I enjoyed the training and I was able to break the 2-hour mark at another race later in 2015. By the end of 2015 my times plateaued without the experience or knowledge of how to train for speed. I knew I enjoyed hitting the pavement and I ran frequently throughout the week but most of my half marathon times over the next 8 months were consistent at around 2 hours.

I met my coach from Mile2Marathon in the summer of 2016 and while I didn’t know what I was in for at first (or how much more there was to training than just running consistently through the week) the changes to my workout routine began to pay dividends quickly. Over the last year I’ve knocked approximately 20 minutes off of my half-marathon time and reduced my recovery period after long runs significantly.

PRESTON’S 3DRUN ANALYSIS

As someone who’s never seen himself run before this experience, I didn’t know what to expect. Seeing so many cameras pointing at the treadmill when I arrived was a bit intimidating at first, however the staff were amazing at putting me at ease and explaining what they were looking for each step of the way.

I’ve always liked data and was interested in the science behind the testing so I appreciated the time they took explaining the different measurements and tests that were being performed. Once the treadmill started it was easy to forget about the cameras and sensors and just run (which was one of my favourite parts of the test). I had just finished my second marathon 9 days before the testing and this was my first hard workout since the race so it felt great to get my legs going at half-marathon rather than marathon pace. After a warm-up, we accelerated to my half-marathon pace and before I knew it the treadmill was slowing down and we had the data that we needed.

The experience reminded me of animation work that friends have done using similar motion capture technology but I never considered myself a serious enough runner to explore it on my own; I always thought this level of testing was reserved for elite athletes but it was surprisingly accessible.

MY RESULTS

I was impressed by the number of practical recommendations that came up when we reviewed my results a few days after testing, but most importantly I was glad that no critical issues were identified that could lead to injury. I’ve been fortunate through my first 2 years as a runner to have avoided major injuries so my main goal coming out of this testing was to identify areas to focus on for injury prevention.

Runners I talk to always focus on their shoes and while they are an important part of your running gear it was exciting that the recommendations coming from the testing were not footwear focused. From specific muscle groups I could target, to cues and drills that I could try to improve my form, the tangible takeaways that were identified were impressive. I’m excited to see the impact they have as I implement them into my workout this summer as I train for my next half-marathon.

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