November 17, 2010 - Running, Naturally

Yo run Gang,

The focus of my midweek mail usually targets motivation but today I'm writing during my midday break at The Running Event in Austin, Texas, a conference for the specialty running store. We get together at as an industry and share what we are doing to bring back to you the best in products, training information and anything that might add to your running experience. Yes, we are here working hard for you but it's a labor of love ... not to mention it's a convention that starts each day with a group run (Where they give us all new shoes to try out) what's not to love!

So far, the key topics have been the natural running movement and compression apparel. Natural running focuses on form and lighter, neutral, minimalist footwear and even barefoot running. For years the industry has focused on putting runners in footwear based on foot type and the runners gait. The shift is to suggest better running form instead of putting the runner in controlling shoes to compensate for bad form. The most common form issue is over striding. A long stride results with striking the heel first, causing the runner to actually break their forward movement, causing impact that leads to many common running injuries. Cutting the stride in half cuts the impact and the motions of the joints to almost zero. By shortening stride and striking midfoot, the runner can run with lighter less controlling footwear. How to tell if you are over striding? If you wear your heels down you most likely over stride. A way to check is to count one arm swing during one minute of running, by getting this number to 80 or more, your stride will be about right. We will be offering form clinics to give you more tricks, stay tuned!

Compression apparel is hot, hot, hot! Wearing compression tights on a run can cut the perceived effort by 25%, it does this by reducing energy lost to muscle vibration and improving circulation. Compression has been used in the medical industry for years but has only recentlly has it become a staple product for sports. Take a look in the running publications and you will see compression socks  or calf sleeves on most world class runners, they would only use these products if they experienced the benefits. The most common use for compression is to wear it after the run, it promotes healing and faster recoveries. Today while talking to many top US distance runners at the conference, all agreed they wear compression calf sleeves or socks when traveling to and from events, making a huge difference in giving them fresh legs to race with!

Get out and run,

Randy Step, an obsessed runner who's finding new toys just for you! Hmmm ... new stuff always motivates me out the door, I gues my focus was motivation afterall!