3 TRCers, Andy, Claire and Stephie, went to Trizone on Saturday afternoon for a free specialist explanation as to what this barefoot running is all about and the service offered there.
Jonno Gibbins, a triathlete, personal trainer and Vivobarefoot Certified Coach, works above the shop, and analyses runners’ technique and posture, rather than gait, and explains how he feels barefoot running is the natural way to run. If runners can master a return to this method, he explains how this should reduce injury, and make the runner more efficient, and ultimately quicker, as proven by recent scientific research. He does not profess to make you Olympic standard, just less susceptible to injury for the amount of running you do.
The transition to barefoot running should not, it appears, be rushed as it will utilise muscles differently and so rushing will likely lead to injury. There’s no fixed transition period though and it will depend on your current technique and the type of shoes you typically wear (not just for running).
Clearly in any training or race the foot will require some protection, but in barefoot running-shoes this takes a thinner, non cushioned, form by way of a non-pierce kevlar or rubber layer in the sole of the shoe: “No heel, no midsole, no arch support, no gimmicks! VIVOBAREFOOT helps encourage us to move as million years of evolution intended – barefoot.” (from the Vivobarefoot website).
We had the opportunity to try Vivo’s in the shop, both for road and off-road (these have rugged lugs on the sole and are akin to cross-country spikes) and on the treadmill. I have to say all three of us found they were very comfortable and do allow you to feel the surface below. Claire was very pleased to discover they even do a children’s range (not just for running) and a range of ‘street’ shoes too. Stephie thinks she’s an ideal convert as she ill-adviseably changed from running on her toes a couple of years ago, with seemingly never-ending injuries ever since.
These are a couple of styles that we tested in Trizone, there are many more in-store and plenty to choose from on-line.
Jonno offers coaching sessions in barefoot running technique in groups or on a one to one session. Your running style is filmed and explained before and after. Various exercises and drills are coached to assist in developing the right muscles, helping you and your body to adapt. Then it is pretty much up to the runner to give it a go and see if it works for them. Jonno is convinced it will. Biomechanically I can see that it makes a lot of sense.
The session was informative, very interesting and I think many runners will be intrigued to see if it is for them.
Group sessions (ideally 5 runners) would last 3 hours and cost £35 per person. A one 2 one session will take around 2 hours and cost £95.
For more information visit Jonno’s website Barefoot Running Coach, or if you’re interested in booking a group session leave a comment below and we’ll see if we can get 5 of us together!
It’s been a while since we’ve had a product review, but this week Andy Goundry has had his gait analysed and shares his thoughts on the process…
Buying new running shoes?
Many runners, whether beginning or experienced, will at some stage consider getting their gait analysed to ensure they are running in the right type of shoe.
Having started running to a lesser extent in 2004 and just buying a pair of shoes that I thought were the right size I eventually had a static pad gait test at the London Marathon exhibition in 2009 having decided to run regularly and race occasionally. I thought I over pronated and so had been running in stability shoes. I did the static Pad test where you run placing each foot in turn onto a pad connected to a computer that assesses how you place your foot. Result? == another pair of stability shoes.
In 2011 I had the same test done again. Result?== another pair of stability shoes.
I prefer to train off road where possible and so much of my running is actually in trail shoes which tend to be neutral in the main. This may prove to be a good thing.
18th February 2012 I spend time with Andy Trudgian (Personal Best Running Store at Carlyon Bay) and have an extensive gait analysis actually running properly on a treadmill with the whole foot strike affair carefully filmed and very clearly examined and explained. You can clearly see how you run.
Result?== I am in fact a neutral forefoot striker and should not be in stability road shoes but in fact neutral ones.
The two different tests were like chalk and cheese. The time and care taken over the filmed analysis seemed to make the pad test pale into insignificance.
I needed a new pair of shoes anyway. So the 30 minutes taken was free, I was not sold the most expensive shoes available and I was also given a discount for being a Truro runner.
Firstly I suggest anyone wanting their gait analysed uses this method wherever they choose.
Secondly, I thoroughly recommend Andy Trudgian and Personal Best Running in Carlyon Bay, St Austell for a fabulous service (click on the image below to go to their website).
Another timely product review from Andy – and this one’s definitely worth putting in your favourite runner’s Christmas stocking!
Running Headbands
Being folically challenged I thought a minor investment in this piece of attire worth the risk. I am not one to be vain regarding appearances. With the onset of winter and increasing cold and wind I find keeping ears warm makes a huge difference to the comfort and enjoyment of my run. However often a hat is just too warm, or even too heavy in the rain. Not only does the headband do the trick in keeping the ears warm and wind free, it allows the excess heat out. But for those who like to run listening to music or the latest podcast when on a long run, here’s the real bonus: they keep any set of headphones neatly in place!!
Aesthetically dubious.
Practically superb.
All sorts of colours to suit the rest of your kit. And only a few quid from all major retailers and especially Andy Trudgian’s Personal Best Running Store near St Austell (01726 815255).
(Andy also has an online shop, click the logo to go to the website.)
In this timely article Andy reviews a torch perfect for those dark winter evenings.
Petzl Head Torch
For anyone who like me lives out in the sticks, with no street lights and rues the clocks going back and the loss of light evenings, a head torch may be the answer.
I have bought a Petzl head torch although other makes do exist. It was a recommended make. It casts a very adequate light even in the pitch dark. The torch has led lights and operates off three AAA batteries. The head band is really comfortable and after a while I became oblivious to the fact that I am wearing it as it is small and fairly inconspicuous. The batteries are said to last 159 hours but I am some way from being able to confirm that. Having used it on the Bissoe trail at night, I could adequately see the uneven ground and felt very safe. If running in a group I would suggest it is best for all to have one as my wife felt uneasy relying on my torch whilst running beside me.
I must say that it has revolutionised my winter training after work. I don’t mind the treadmill but there is no substitute for fresh air. What’s more I have had the trail to myself of an evening. As for the bit of road I run on, the cars seem very concerned and either stop or slow to a crawl so somehow it feels safer. The only negative is the view takes a little while to get used too as it feels a bit like viewing through a glass with a dark surround initially, but you do get used to it.
It’s been a while, but Andy’s back with a review – something for everyone this time, whether you’re male or female!
Back in May Kev, our Performance Coach, suggested that keeping a running diary was good for motivation and would help you become a better runner. Kev’s favourite method was pen and paper, but what if you’d prefer using one of those on-line diaries? There are so many of them that sometimes it’s hard to know which one to choose and where to start. All is not lost though, Andy’s here to recommend his favourite one! There’s nothing like a personal recommendation is there, so I’m off to check it out!
For pretty much all of this year I have used this fantastic website, primarily as a running/training diary aid. It is free to use and very simple. It is essentially a meeting place with a blog/forum for runners around the country to discuss various issues. This part I play little attention to.
The brilliant parts are as follows:
Training diary/log: You can record all your training whether it is running, cross training, biking or swimming. Moreover there are various sub sections to record specific hill work, fartleks, warm up, tempo etc. It records how you feel, the weather and much, much, more. In addition you can analyse this in more ways than you will need and have various graphs of speed v gradient etc!!!
Race finder: you can look for events to enter , predict and record your times and even share lifts if appropriate.
Race record: you can build your race history, including improvements or otherwise in the same events this year and it will automatically record your personal bests for all the various distances. It is possible to enter historical data as well for races prior to first registering on the site.
Shoe history: it will also record your mileage for the shoes and you can set a distance at which to retire them and it will remind you!!. Sad I know, but helpful. If you are using more than one pair it is very helpful to keep a track of which you may be favouring.
What can I say……. If you keep a diary this saves paper and is so easy to complete and use:
Its free!
You can even track injuries
and it’s easy to use.
If you don’t keep a training or race diary, then this is the perfect way to start. I would recommend it to anyone.
In his review this month Andy shares his thoughts on some men’s running shorts – wonder if they’ll make him go faster? Look forward to seeing him modelling them at the club!
Salomon Bermuda Running Shorts
Andy
I like to wear cycle shorts (short tights) to keep my hamstrings warm, especially on long runs during the cooler months. However, I don’t like the look! So I wear a baggy pair over the top.
I have just bought a pair of Salomon Bermuda running shorts from wiggle.co.uk. They are baggy shorts with an integrated inner tight rather than just a fitted brief. Brilliantly comfy, keep the hamstrings warm and I only have to remember one pair of shorts.
However, not cheap at £40,00!
Andy
Salomon XA Series V Short from Wiggle (click on the image to go to Wiggle)
It should be mentioned that Wiggle sell an equivalent ladies running skirt with inner shorts (no more “does my bum look big in this?”!!!), just enter ‘running skirt’ or ‘skapri’ in the search box and you’ll find plenty of choice (and prices!).
In the first of his new monthly series club stalwart Andy Goundry looks to his feet in a short review of some nifty orthotics.
The inside Story of Andy’s insoles!
Andy
I have been suffering from a painful condition called Plantar fasciitis (runners heel) for a couple of months and with The Edinburgh Marathon approaching did a bit of internet research.
I discovered a sports orthotic company called 2foot2. They advertised sports insoles specifically for the above condition in various sizes for both men and women. As I use 2 pairs of trainers I bought 2 sets at £14.99 each, so not exactly cheap. They inserted easily into my trainers and give excellent arch support. It took a couple of runs to get used to the harder extra support that they give and the way it feels. But, not only after three weeks have they become very comfortable, the condition has gone completely and indeed it eased within a week. Highly recommended for anyone suffering the same condition!
……………………………….
……………………………….
……………………………….
Cornwall Running Store
Recent Comments