17
ForEliteAtheletes to FunRunners
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HEALTH : POSTURE
I’m not suggesting everybody leaps out of bed and
springs into action immediately but just consider
how your posture is. Habits are hard to break, not
impossible.
Does it take until after your first caffeine hit to realign
yourself from the night being horizontal? We all, at
some point don’t hold ourselves they way we should,
even when we sit down. I bet you’ve just sat a little
more upright and pulled your shoulders back a little
(well if you didn’t, you have now) but how do we
recognise the signs and break the habit?
It’s a bit like your pelvic floor. As soon as someone
mentions it, you suck it right up. The trick is to form
a new habit. A good one. Try to create new habits
such as you wake up, shuffle downstairs and while
the kettle is boiling, you use those few moments to
gather your thoughts, tuck your pelvis under, roll
your shoulders back and have a really good stretch
of your pectorals. I bet you feel better already?
And it’s starting habits like this that have a really
beneficial effect on the rest of your day.
So, my tip is:
If you’re in the gym doing static moves,
position yourself in front of the mirror and watch. If
not, a good tip is to ask a friend to video you, or set it
up yourself and then criticise your own performance.
If there is nothing you would change, well done you,
you’re clearly practically perfect in every way. A real
modern day Mary Poppins.
Now look at your running. Have you ever analysed
your running style? It’s wise to perfect this technique
before you cause any long term damage. Again, you
can ask a friend to video you or do it yourself and
evaluate what you see.
You should spare a moment to consider your
flexibility and strength as it is this that helps you
stride more efficiently? Your gluteus generates the
force and if they’re not firing efficiently your other
muscles will kick in and compensate.
The hips align the top half to the bottom half
but it’s not all about running upright and straight,
what’s your pelvis doing? Are you sticking your
butt out like a duck bottom ready to shake your tail
feather?
Lastly, your arms, they have just as much
involvement in running as the legs (well maybe
not AS much) although we tend to overlook them
and focus on the legs. You should take all these
into account and assess yourself honestly and
positively. Even if you see lots of negatives, take
that away and turn it around. Instead of thinking
what you’re doing wrong, now think “how am I
going to do it right?” We make mistakes, we learn,
we get better.
As with all training, a good warm up and cool down
is essential and your muscles would definitely
appreciate a little aftercare. In my house it comes
in the form of a foam roller but if I could have my
own masseuse, I would and my body would love me
for it.
Look after the body you’re in,
they’re not so easy to fix.
Take care y’all.
If you’re in the
gym doing static
moves, position
yourself in front
of the mirror
and watch
correct
posture
