Possible bad running form?

eblakes93
eblakes93 Posts: 372 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I feel like I've been making threads like wild fire, sorry guys!

I started doing C25k and just did Week 1, Day 2. I love it! I do it on the track in my gym out of personal preference. However the track is very small (1 mile = 18 laps). I find that since I'm turning so often, I'm putting this weird stress on my right leg - my right leg feels like it is working harder during my workout. I don't really know how to explain it better then that. I'm not sure if this is due to my own bad form or just an unavoidable part of turning so much. Does anybody have any suggestions for fixing this?

Also, does anybody have any suggestions for pacing yourself? I find that I keep speeding up and slowing down during my running intervals.

Replies

  • kmrichardson1
    kmrichardson1 Posts: 41 Member
    You are definitely going to want to switch directions on the track, at least every other workout, maybe even during the workout itself (halfway through, turn and go the other way). You could be setting yourself up for a knee injury otherwise. I've never been good at pacing myself. I start slower and finish faster.
  • eblakes93
    eblakes93 Posts: 372 Member
    You are definitely going to want to switch directions on the track, at least every other workout, maybe even during the workout itself (halfway through, turn and go the other way). You could be setting yourself up for a knee injury otherwise. I've never been good at pacing myself. I start slower and finish faster.

    This is great advice, unfortunately they set a direction on the track with arrows. I should have noted that before :P Maybe I should just get over my fear of running outside? When I get to school, the track is the standard size (1 mile = 4 laps), so this should be much less of an issue.
  • runninghealthy
    runninghealthy Posts: 19 Member
    Running on a standard size track will help, but I'd also suggest trying to run outside, actually because of your pacing question. I've found that I am much much better at pacing myself when I'm outside because I have a greater impression of distance. I like to pick something very far off, and preferably a bit above my normal eye level, and just kind of loosely focus on that, feeling that I'm slowly getting closer to it, but that it's not a race to make it there. This tends to help me "fall into" a stride, and maintain a much more steady pace than I do if I'm running towards what feels like a closer goal (the next lap, the next bend in the track, etc.), and I can run steadily for much longer distances this way.

    On your stride question, I'd strongly suggest going to a running store where they can film you running on a treadmill and review your stride. Bring your running shoes, and most stores will do this for free, review the video with you, and let you know if you are stressing your right leg because of your stride, or your shoes, etc. I did this when I first started running and it was one of the best decisions! I ended up getting new shoes because I over-pronate (my feet turn too far in when I land), and it was able to fix SO many little aches, pains, and stresses I'd been having.

    Good luck and happy running!
  • pucenavel
    pucenavel Posts: 972 Member
    Strength training on my hammies, quads, calves and shins is essential to preventing injuries for me.

    http://www.body-mania.com/Exercises/12SwissBallHamstringCurl.html

    http://blog.derbyfitness.co.uk/single-leg-squat/

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q0qBzbb7Bs

    http://www.shapefit.com/calf-exercises-dumbbell-single-leg-calf-raises.html

    I'd venture to say that the strain you are feeling would show up on a road run as well - not to say that there aren't effects from the repetitive circling - I just contend that well-toned muscles would be far less likely to be impacted by it I had a ton of knee, ankle, shin splint issues until I improved the strength in the muscles surrounding those areas.

Categories