Comments on: How to Be a Better Runner

By: Graco Heart to Heart Blog - Fit to Be a Mama

Graco Heart to Heart Blog - Fit to Be a Mama — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:05:45 +0000

[...] I tried to keep a very active lifestyle by working out 4-6 days a week and I feel like the fact that I stayed active has something to do [...]

By: Anastasiya

Anastasiya — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:50:03 +0000

@Tom
Haile Gebrselassie does run with a posterior pelvic (I’ve just watched about 10 different videos to make sure that he does) but he is not an ordinary runner. There are certain guidelines that will show you how to perfect your posture and these guidelines usually work for 90% of people. But our bodies are different and all of us have certain imbalances in our bodies that result from our lifestyle, habits and, of course, genetics. These imbalances can be beneficial (and I am sure that Haile has his imbalances that help him run that great) or they can be harmful. By the way, have you noticed that he runs with a horrible foot overpronation too? I think that we need to find balance between “expert’s guidelines” and our own body. Only then we can reach that perfect running form.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:24:40 +0000

Hi Annalisa, Re. the Posterior Pelvic tilt: Have you seen haillie gebreselassie’s posture? He seems to run with the Posterior Pelvic tilt & he quite fast!
You do say that a slight forward lean is good but with the forward momentum of running I find the Posterior Pelvic tilt lets me ‘fall’ forward on to my Quads & helps save my lower legs & Hamstrings.
The coffee thing: I always have a strong cofee before my early morning trail runs, gives me a good kick. Good site, well done.

By: Anastasiya

Anastasiya — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:29:10 +0000

Annalisa, thanks for your comment. If I run in the morning then I do not drink coffee either (running works waaaay better to wake me up ). But in the afternoons coffee sometimes is the only thing that can get me out on the road especially if I had a rough day with the babies.
And as usual balance and moderation is the only way to go!

By: Annalisa

Annalisa — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:11:02 +0000

LOVE the article thanks. I agree with your view on coffee, but I don’t wake up 30 minutes before I run. I have a small cup of water as soon as I wake up, get dressed, and out the door for a run. Oh well.

Thanks so much for the tips! LOVE your site!!!

By: Anastasiya

Anastasiya — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:41:46 +0000

@Ivleph
I am sorry I didn’t make this point clear enough (tried to save some time and space). A few EASY stretches before the run will loosen tight muscles and prepare them for the run. Walking in place for a few minutes and then performing stretches is my personal way of doing it.
Here is an article that sheds more light on this issue http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-380-384–260-0,00.html

@davesworkout Relationship with caffeine is individual for every person. Somebody (like my husband) can’t stand it and some people can’t imagine their lives without it. I am a moderate fan of coffee and I usually do not have more than 1 cup of coffee a day. The only time I was too tired after drinking coffee was when I drank about 4 cups of it when I was working on my graduation project (the result was well worth it though). However what I am trying to say is that moderation as always is the key. If you like coffee and drink it anyway – go ahead and try it before your run. If you do not like it then just do not drink it.

By: davesworkout

davesworkout — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:37:14 +0000

Good article except the reccomendation for drinking caffeine…. Try getting an extra bit of sleep at night and skip the caffeine – anything over 30-50 mg will have the opposite effect, you will get tired and crash quickly!

By: lvleph

lvleph — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:13:11 +0000

Stretching should not be done before a run. Stretching cold muscles may injure them.
Not the greatest reference, but here is one.
http://www.emaxhealth.com/21/174.html