Runner's CornerOctober 2007 :: Index of issuesRunner’s Corner October 20007 This month’s runner’s corner will focus on the Pose method of running. To best describe it I will use Graham Fletcher’s (Ph.D. and Former British triathlon National Team Coach) description, “Pose is a simple and comprehensive biomechanical model which eliminates injuries and enables every runner from novice to elite to fully utilized their physiological potential.” When doing the pose method, the runner lands more on the forefoot rather than the typical heel strike. Do I do Pose? No. I am recommending it as I have seen it benefit other runners who were once plagued by injuries and now run several miles effortlessly and pain free. However, for myself, I have been running since 1975 and currently enjoy doing around 30-40 miles a week without injuries. My feeling for me is, “if it isn’t broken, then don’t fix it.” And I admit, I am unwilling to commit to drills and learning it at this time. Why Learn Pose Pose has been around a long time. Proponents of Pose stress that it can reduce many over-use injuries that occur to the lower back, hamstrings, quads, knees, shins, ankles and feet. Tim Noakes found that when done correctly, the Pose method reduced running impact on the knees by over 30%. And I can attest I have seen it work miracles on a friend of mine who seemed to have one running injury after another until he learned Pose. Pose also improves running economy. By running more economical, one can better utilize oxygen and fuel sources which translates into running faster times with the same effort. Are their risks to Pose? Chances are learning this technique will be different than how you are currently running, especially if you are more of a heel-strike runner. Therefore, it is likely you will encounter soreness in muscles involved in more fore-foot strike such as the calf muscles. Any soreness that does not disappear in a few days should be iced and rested. Also, do not do this while you are racing or doing high miles. How to Learn Pose Pose is better learned during one’s off season as it required may drills to re-educate one’s engrained neuromuscular patterns. It can take 10 to 20 minutes at least several times a week doing drills for a month or more. Most people can learn Pose in one to three months. One can learn pose by going to www.posetech.com and reading the numerous articles. However it helps to purchase the DVD and/or Pose book. If you have viewed the above materials and are seriously interested in learning and getting feedback, consider going to the clinic held in Granville. Granville Clinic on Pose If you live near Granville, you may want to enroll in the two-day Pose running Clinic November 17-18, 2007. The clinic will be held at Denison University and will include lectures and instruction by two top-level Pose coaches, hand-on training, extensive before-and-after video analyses, lunch and a visit to a high tech personal training studio, Lemonade Neighborhood Fitness. There is a limit though of 20 persons. Cost is $299 payable through Active.com (and those putting it on are not making any profit as this is what their cost is) or you can call Don Moxley at 740-587-4333. Cut off date is October 30th or 20 people. If you decide to learn Pose, let me know how it goes for you. Looking forward to seeing you at the races. |