The straight leg run is like the straight leg walk used during your dynamic warm up, only this time you are running. The straight leg run reinforces the important pawing motion practiced in the A-skip and B-skip. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed. Avoid the temptation to lean backwards—in other words, keep your upper body perpendicular to the ground as you run with … [Read more...] about Video: Straight Leg Run
Form
Video: Ankling Drill
The ankling drill helps facilitate the proper loading and spring during running. Starting at the toe, push the foot down so that the heel barely contacts the ground. The movement can be difficult to learn at first, so begin in slow motion; then gradually pick up the pace and keep the cadence high. More running drills: … [Read more...] about Video: Ankling Drill
Video: Dynamic Stretching
The full warm up consists of three parts: neuromuscular activation, dynamic stretching, and finally the standard cardiovascular component. This video focuses on the second part of the warm up—dynamic stretching—and demonstrates exercises you can do to prepare for your run. Videos in this series: … [Read more...] about Video: Dynamic Stretching
Video: Loosening Skips
This video is part of a series demonstrating the second part of the warm up: dynamic stretching. Skip lightly while keeping your arms relaxed. Do this for 10 to 20 meters. Next, add forward arm circles for 10 to 20 meters. Switch to backward arm circles for 10 to 20 meters. Switch to forward arm circles with both arms for 10 to 20 meters. Switch to backward arm circles with … [Read more...] about Video: Loosening Skips
Video: Heel Walk
This video is part of a series demonstrating the second part of the warm up: dynamic stretching. For the heel walk, walk 10 to 20 on your heels. This will engage the muscles on the front part of your lower leg (i.e. tibialis anterior). Videos in this series: … [Read more...] about Video: Heel Walk