The time has come. I can't deny it any more. It's 'new year, new me' season, and I've vowed to get my sorry ass running in 2015, by hook or by crook. The Run Way is my journey, and it starts right here.
This week, I am mostly aching like a motherflipper. It started after my now regular Sunday morning run (Sunday Runday!) and I palmed off my aches on period pain. Which it most certainly was. I sat with a hot water bottle for most of the evening. And then had one at my desk at work on Monday. But now it's Thursday, and my whole body aches - back, knees, feet - the works.
I always knew that attempting to get fit would test my body to its upper limits, because I'd never so much as pushed it past a quick duck walk up until now. Plus, another of the reasons I'd continued to put it off, is down to my general physiology. I am double jointed (that's hypermobile, to use the technical medical term/ one of those creepy people who can do odd body positions, for street dance fans) and it means my joints are weaker and more flexible than other peoples. Add to that a general lack of muscle tone, and you've got yourself a regular Mrs Soft. And, now I'm also an oldie (not that 32 is actually aged, I realise), I also have arthritis in my lower back, which means I've often got quite a bit of pain just doing normal things like sitting still, or standing up for any longer than five minutes.
Obviously neither of these issues are going away, but both could stand to benefit from me taking regular exercise and improving the muscles which hold it all together. And I do realise that road running is known to put pressure on your joints, so I have undertaken this experiment with a certain level of trepidation.
But speaking to experienced runners, they all told me that as long as I was running with good technique, that I could get fit and fend off injuries. So, I decided to speak to a pro. Luckily, medal-winning Brit sprinter Jodie Williams was able to give me (and now, us) the lowdown on getting my posture back in line and start running like I actually mean it...
Hi Jodie! So, how can I achieve the correct running posture?
If you’re doing long distance running you should ensure that your posture is upright and that your feet are going straight to your body – too often people point their feet inwards or outwards, so make sure you check the direction of your feet to avoid injuries such as shin splints. The best way to achieve the correct running posture is simply by practicing, nobody has a perfect running technique straight away and the more you practice the better you are going to get. Focus on keeping everything moving in the same direction like your arms and your legs – I know that sounds stupid - but it’s surprising how many people don’t when they head out for a run – focusing more on aspects such as locations, routes and music.
Do you have any tips on how to prevent running injuries?
Again a lot of injuries are the result of incorrect running postures. There are a lot of different things you can do to do help this, such as working on building strong core muscles to keep you running. A lot of running injuries are impact injuries such as shin splints, which can be helped by wearing garments such as compression socks or insoles to stop your feet rolling in.
Is gait analysis essential for the beginner runner?
I wouldn’t necessarily say so, I’d say gait analysis really benefits professional runners or those that take running very seriously. If it is something that the beginner runner wants to look into – then great – but it shouldn’t be a barrier to taking up running. It’s helpful, but not essential.
What kit would you recommend wearing to make the most out of your training?
For apparel I’d always look first at the way something fits and then the sort of material it’s made from. You want to be comfortable when running and the best running gear has a snug fit but is also lightweight. For footwear, I received the new Ultra BOOST from adidas at the start of February and I feel like I’ve been in them ever since! The BOOST foam is great to give you a spring in your step but the main thing about the Ultra BOOST is how comfortable they are. They deliver a great run but I also just wear them out and about.
How do you pick a good running route or location?
I’d recommend looking at the terrain a route offers, running on concrete frequently is going to be hard and can lead to injuries, so would suggest picking somewhere that has soft ground and is generally more interesting. Its personal taste, but I don’t like running around residential areas, I prefer to work out in fields and countryside – keeps things more interesting when you are running.
What should you eat to fuel your body?
I would recommend Carbohydrates for long distance running - you’re going to be expending so much energy you need to put it back into your body. I would also recommend a diet rich in protein and that is clean and easy – my favourite meal would be something such as steak, potatoes and vegetables - so simple and clean and doesn’t contain any unnecessary extras.
Jodie wears the adidas Ultra BOOST footwear which combines adidas’ unique BOOST technology and an adaptive Primeknit upper to offer the greatest run ever. Available now at adidas.co.uk for £130