Although runners often focus their strength and flexibility work on the legs and core (and for good reason), the feet deserve just as much attention. Here are some excellent video tips to help you maintain healthy feet. In this first video, physical therapist Jay Dicharry demonstrates how to use “toe yoga” and “big toe push-downs” to increase the strength and coordination of … [Read more...] about Runners: Two Videos for Healthy Feet
Drills
The More You Run, the More You Need to Focus on the Supplemental Work
If running is your passion, your biggest challenge may not be finding time to run. After all, running for you is like eating and sleeping. How could you not find time to do these things? Instead, your biggest challenge as a runner may be finding the time to do the supplemental work needed to support that running. I understand. If I had my druthers, I’d rather be out for a … [Read more...] about The More You Run, the More You Need to Focus on the Supplemental Work
Make Your Muscles Smarter
Excerpted from The Triathlete's Training Guide and featured in USAT's Multisport Zone. When most people think of strength training, they think of making their muscles stronger. But strong muscles aren’t worth much if they don’t fire when needed or coordinate with each other during sport specific movements. For endurance athletes engaged in strength training, it is … [Read more...] about Make Your Muscles Smarter
Video: Balance Drills
It's best to perform these single leg balance drills barefoot. Firmly ground one foot. Think about spreading the toes and planting the little toe, bit toe and heel as three points of a tripod. This will help you distribute weight equally over your forefoot and rearfoot as you establish a solid contact point. Lift your opposite leg off the ground with a high knee so that … [Read more...] about Video: Balance Drills
Video: Leg Swings
This video demonstrates three types of leg swings that runners and triathletes can incorporate into their dynamic warmup and warmdown. Leg swings are designed to warmup muscles and increase mobility around the hip joint prior to activity. There are three movement patterns for these leg swings. The first two are based on the spiral-diagonal movement patterns that arise … [Read more...] about Video: Leg Swings
