Hi!
At training we generally concentrate on getting your legs going! Building up speed and endurance. Improving your V02Max and lactate threshold. etc.
But there’s something you can do yourself. By yourself. In the warmth! That’s to work on your core and build it up.
Building up core strength does result in many positive benefits when it comes to running. At a high level, a strong core can improve your running posture and speed. Because your arms and legs all stem from the core, the strength in your limbs are intimately tied to the strength in your torso. Having a strong core sets a solid foundation for strength in the rest of the body.
The main benefit of core strength for runners is increased stabilization in the torso. Your core muscles – the chest, back, abs, and obliques – are what keep your torso upright when you run, and reduce “wobbling” when moving your arms and legs. When running, core strength allows the pelvis, hips, and lower back to work together more smoothly, with less rocking & thus, less excess energy expended. Core strength also significantly improves balance, meaning that you recover quickly from missteps small and large.
Core strength for distance runners is especially important. Towards the end of long runs or races, when you are extremely fatigued, your form begins to suffer. Poor form not only slows you down, it also opens you up to potential injuries. For distance runners who are familiar with that lower back ache, building up core strength will help to maintain good posture, and reduce the pains that result from poor posture.
In the coming weeks I’ll pester you with publish some articles to get you out of bed on your way; and over the coming months I’ll reproduce some exercise/stretches that we published back in 2013 – courtesy of Carolyn [thank you]. We now have so many new faces who have not seen them and also some of you long term members might like to be reminded of them.
So watch this space! 🙂
And good luck to you all who are running this weekend: Park runs, 10ks, Half Marathons and others.