Better at 70
Now aged 70, I've been a competitive runner for 56 years, going back to the days when runners just ran and did little additional supportive strength, mobility and, least of all, style training. Though I've more recently appreciated the need for work on the first two of these, over my last ten years of Masters' competition, my path has been strewn with time-outs through injury and the resultant failure to fulfil my potential within my age band. The Running School experts clearly identified what was wrong with my running style which almost certainly led to so many hip, hamstring, calf and Achilles tendon problems.
I was surprised that they were prepared to offer to make dramatic and mentally embedded changes in my running style over quite a short time, but this is what has been achieved by expert tuition and integration of their methods into my regular training routine. When I saw the "before" and "after" videos of my style, the former taken in late December and the latter in April, I could barely believe the change - I thought the guy in the "before" video looked characteristically old and decrepit, while the "after" guy looked smooth, upright, fluent, younger and maybe even taller! Now I am unable to revert to my "old" style when running on a treadmill, so embedded are the changes. Though I still need to consolidate what I've been taught at Running School, since starting my set of sessions there I have already set over-70 Masters leading marks for the year in three events and won the national over-70 title at cross-country on a fast course where the Running School style proved invaluable.
I am looking forward to participating in major international Masters' events without the nagging fear of injury during the coming summer and am anticipating setting some really good age-group marks, thanks to the Running School team. Clearly it's never too late to change your running style for the better, and I shall be recommending the Running School to my fellow aged athletes, many of whom, as I was, display biomechanical defects in their running action which may be the source of injuries which are otherwise just put down to "old age".
Triathlete improvement
I have always been an avid sportsman, enjoying competition at high levels. In August 2008 I was diagnosed with serious osteoarthritis within my right hip and was told I would need surgery as a result. After 6 months of intense rehabilitation, I had not made the progress I had hoped for and running was still very painful. At Triathlon Cycling and Running show 2009, I met Mike who convinced me to come down to The Running School and meet his team of specialists to help improve my running.
By the end of the initial consultation, I was convinced I had come to the right place. My physiotherapist Annie and rehab coach Dan worked together designing a program that was specifically adapted for my experience level, needs and limitations. My running was analyzed and within a short period of time my strength and technique improved. I am now feeling and racing at a level I thought I would never reach again after my surgery.
In 2010 thanks to the advice of Annie and Dan I have achieved some great results including; 3hrs 25min finish at Virgin London Marathon. 6th place in the National Duathalon Championships in a time of 2hrs 26mins. I finished off this season with a lifetime best at this years Ironman Switzerland Triathlon (3.8k Swim/ 180k Bike/ 42.2k Run) in a time of 11hrs 11mins. After surgery I was told that running would be a thing of the past and I would need to slow down but thanks to the guys at The Running School I've proven everyone wrong and even surprised myself. As the Ironman mantra goes- Don't say you can't. Anything is possible. Thank you! Bruno
GE Dream Team Winner
Having been running now for about 30 years in all sorts of races all over the world, I must admit to being unsure just how much you could teach me in an hour. And also being a pretty good age group athlete with no major injury problems I didn't think there was much at fault with my running style. How wrong I was!!
I really do believe that in the space of just one hour I have learned something that over time will make me faster and less at risk of injury. I would recommend the session and The Running School to every runner, regardless of their ability.
GE Dream Team Winner
I approached this session with an open mind, keen to become a more efficient, effective and faster runner, but worried what they would make of all the bad habits I had surely picked up in over ten years of competitive running. The coaches were all incredibly friendly and keen to answer questions and offer advice for improvements. I was set to warm up on the treadmill whilst they talked me through how the hour session would work, asked me what I hoped to get out of it and my personal training goals for the coming year, coupled with the reassurance that they had much older runners who had revolutionised their running styles by coming to the running school for a few sessions.
I was recorded from behind and side views at varying speeds and running up a small incline. The most challenging part of this was jumping on and off the treadmill travelling at speed beneath me without falling on my face. Thankfully, the coach would have been there to catch me and it got easier with a few trial runs.
Although I have had stills taken in the past and a sprint coach recorded me running many years ago I had never been able to closely analyse my style using technical software. I was pleased to hear that my general running form was good, I hold my core strong while I run so there is no energy wasted travelling side to side. They drew a vertical line from my head to my feet showing I was centred. I also plant my feet well towards the forefoot (a habit picked up from years of sprinting) which is the ideal spot. It was a relief to hear they didn't plan on teaching me how to run from scratch again as they reassured me my style works well. However, looking at my running style in slow motion allowed them to explain where my inefficiencies lay. To an extent I am making up what I lack in technique with training and fitness. If I improved my technique following the running school's guidelines I would in time shave seconds/minutes off my 5km/10km time.
Using the analysis software they could show me the movement of my leg in running motion and how it was making more of an egg than a circular shape: it took so long for me to draw my trail leg back that my lead leg planted just in front of me (over striding) and caused me to essentially put the brakes on. This foot then spent too long in contact with the ground. I know from my sprinting and triathlon background that less contact time and increased cadence lead to a more efficient run. The other thing the coach mentioned were my arms, which I have known for some years do almost nothing to assist me travelling forward. The more fatigued I become the more inefficient my arms are as they start to cross my body more and move less. I have been shouted at round many a 400m track 'elbows back', but it still needs work.
Jack Harbidge - London Broncos RL U15 Scholarship
During the 2009/10 season Jack suffered a hamstring injury and went through a growth spurt on recovery. The result was a seemingly complete loss of pace. The Running School was recommended by a friend. Jack's aim was simply to get back to his old 'form' but within the initial 6 sessions Jack had not only found his old pace but quite clearly improved well beyond it. Now Running School sessions are an integral part of Jack's preparation for the start of a season or any important trials.
Sophie Roberts - Podiatrist
As a musculoskeletal podiatrist, I see many injured runners with a running technique which may be aggravating or causing their injury. A podiatrist can optimise foot function and a physiotherapist can address muscle imbalances. However, if the running technique is wrong then a piece of the puzzle is missing.
The Running School offer a truly unique service for my patients in re-training their running movement patterns and helping my patients obtain goals they thought they could never reach. I believe training running technique should be part of the musculosketelal medicine network and should be considered for every runner returning from injury. The Running School's set up offers a thorough and simple program to help my runners through this transition.
