You may hate me for this, but I’m going to say it anyway. The best core workout for runners is one that strengthens the core in the specific ways it’s used for running: upright, weight-bearing, with coordinated movements of the abdomen/back, pelvis, and hip joints, not to mention everything above and below those areas as … Read more
In last week’s blog post we looked at this video of Joseph Pilates running and compared it to the running form of tightrope artist Nik Wallenda and gymnast Shannon Miller. The similarities were striking. Here’s the Pilates video again, but this time contrasted with video of Kenyan distance runners training in Iten. Take a look: … Read more
I found this little gem of archival film on YouTube. I have no idea what language the titles are in or what they say (if you do, please let us know in the comments!) but it gives us the fabulous opportunity to watch Joseph Pilates run for a few moments. You’ll find the running from … Read more
In last week’s post, Why Your Quads Are Sore, I wrote about what a tendency to get sore quads indicates about your running technique — namely, that your pelvis is behind your foot in midstance, requiring your quads to contract strongly to keep you from sitting on the ground. This week let’s look at what you … Read more
I bet this is a title you never thought you’d see on my blog! However, during a stint as a Pilates teacher a couple of years back I did a lot of experimentation with how to adapt classical Pilates mat exercises to support healthy running technique instead of interfering with it. Surprised I’m saying classical … Read more
My jumping-off point for this post is a quote in the title, from Moshe Feldenkrais, creator of the Feldenkrais Method of Movement Education®. It is particularly relevant for runners working on their form and has a nice zing to it. However, I could simply have started from the Oxford English Dictionary’s definition, seen above. The … Read more
Much has been said in recent years about the importance of core training for runners and about how having strong abs improves your performance and prevents injury. Not enough has been said about how your abs should be strong, though, and what abs actually do for a runner. Your performance may be suffering as a result. If you … Read more
Do you believe that, as a runner, you should have a tight core? That the sine qua non of good running form is tightening your core? I’d like to propose a different concept: The essence of good running form is directing force in the simplest possible line from foot through head. Since we have two … Read more
