Next, as I mentioned in my last post Operation 40 kicked off today! My first challenges:
- Weight Loss Challenge (via DietBet) - Lose 4% of my starting weight in 4 weeks
- Weight Training & Core Work - 3 times a week for 4 weeks
- No Starbucks for a week...yes, I know that doesn't sound like much, but when you have an addiction you have to start somewhere.
Running Clinic
I attended a natural running clinic this weekend. I have been working on my running form for awhile now on my own, but notice in pictures I'm clearly still not getting it so I thought it would be helpful to have someone watch me and critique me. It was an hour and I was the only student which was really nice! A few things I learned...both good and bad:
THE GOOD
- My running cadence (turnover) is good. (So I guess that's not my excuse for being slow)
- I have a good natural "lean" forward
- It was good that I had already transitioned to a lower drop shoe which makes natural running more easy.
- I appeared to have strong hips which didn't sag on impact.
- I am still heel striking....grrr...he did say it's a very quick strike before I move to midfoot, but I am hitting there first but it's not really impacting my speed, just harder on the body.
- I have a lot of tension in my shoulders and arms which is causing me to expend a lot of excess energy.
- I have a bit of crossover when my feet land - partially do to the fact that I land on my outer feet and then roll my feet inward.
- I have pretty much zero ankle flexibility
- Tucking the hips in when running
- Focusing on midfoot striking
- Leaning forward at the chest
- Keeping my cadence the same
- Easing the tension in my shoulders
Have you ever done a running clinic before? It was my first one.
Good luck on Operation 40 and no Starbucks. I'm lucky (?) there isn't Starbucks near me. Actually there are only 3 (I think) in Vermont and they are all in the Burlington area, not where I work. I'm a Dunkin fan or Green Mountain Coffee :)
ReplyDeleteNever done a running clinic...I'm sure they'd have loads to critique! I think I'm a pretty good mid foot striker, but at least one picture from Saturday's race was a strong heel strike. :-/
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about the weigh loss challenge!
Oh, and I have up soda a month ago...a huge addiction for me! Good luck with cutting Starbucks out...I know you can do it!
sounds like almost exactly the same type of feedback that I got at the recent Newton running clinic that I went to - I'm going to try to go to another one sometime hopefully!
ReplyDeleteIt'd be really interesting to get feedback on my running form. I've never seen running clinics advertised in my area but it'd be something I'd definitely want to try.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I started my diet cleanup yesterday, so I'm ready to jump on the dietbet!! please send me the link to ririnette at gmail dot com. We can do this!! I'll be writing a blog post about it, but not sure when, soon-ish. (busy)
ReplyDeleteNope, never done a running clinic or anything with a coach or something like that. I just run as I am :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to go to a running clinic like that! There is one in a town 2 hours from me, I just haven't made it there for it yet.
ReplyDeleteGood job with the project! It's hard to imagine you will be a "master's" runner soon!
I've never done a running clinic, though I have really considered it. The biggest form thing I'm still working on is getting my cadence higher.
ReplyDeleteA running clinic would be incredible to do....wish we had one! Though, I have to say I'm a little afraid that they'd laugh at how I run!
ReplyDeleteDo you have an iphone? I use an app called My Fitness Pal that tracks calories (with net exercise) so I always know where I am during the day and over the course of a rolling week. Got me down to race weight this cycle.