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The Secret Behind Injury Prevention: Can You Run Your Next Race Pain-Free?

November 2, 2019 · by Garrett McLaughlin

| Article written on November 1st, 2019 at 4:45pm | Follow Garrett on Facebook and Instagram |

Have you struggled with persistent aches, pains, and various running-related injuries throughout the years? Are you at the point where you are ready to try something different in hopes of seeing better results? If so, this article should provide you with the guidance necessary to reduce your likelihood of injury once a for all.

I hate to mislead you with some attention grabbing title. But, the truth is… Running is a painful sport. In fact, the research shows that up to 70% of runners get injured each and every year. Therefore, the real goal should be how to reduce your risk of injury since it cannot be prevented altogether. This can be done by increasing your tolerance to the demands of running and functioning in a more efficient way.

In the following sections, I will present a few key points for you to consider when emphasizing injury reduction…

Perform a Running Analysis

Since you’ll usually spend anywhere from 3-6 days per week running, the first step is to run more efficiently. How do you go about that? Spend the time and a little money on the front end by paying a trained professional to conduct a running analysis. This can be done in simple ways such as slow-motion treadmill analysis or with wearable technology like the DorsiVii.

Too often do we pay for the best Garmins, self-myofascial release tools, and training programs. In reality, your money is best spent on improving the quality of your movement within the sport. More efficient running form will cause less wear and tear on the body, as well as improve performance.

Complete a Movement Assessment

In addition to analyzing your running form and implementing the corrections which will make you more successful on the road, it’s important to assess general and specific movement patterns. What’s important to realize is that the body is really good at compensating. This means that a movement might appear normal even though the strategy to achieve that position has been altered due to a mobility, stability, or motor control problem.

During an assessment, you will complete a series of movements that can be analyzed by a trained professional. These movements provide a good glimpse into how the body functions in various positions. And, these naturally play a big role in how well you run.

Most movement assessments consist of the squat, lunge, single leg stance, step down, and other relevant drills. They can also be broken down to a greater degree when a discrepancy is found by evaluating one or several of the joints involved. In the end, you can determine your overall movement competency, if there are any imbalances or asymmetries from side to side, and which weak links need to be addressed to reduce your risk of injury.

Correct Your Weak Links

With the running analysis and movement assessment completed, you will have a very good idea of which areas require your attention. What’s important to realize is that there might be several things which are not “optimal,” in regards to your movement. The good thing is, you don’t have to be perfect to be a successful runner. And, by no means do you have to correct everything. Instead, work closely with your healthcare provider to determine what are the low hanging fruit or most important priorities to target first. Start there!

When implementing a corrective plan, patience and consistency are the two key ingredients. You can’t work on your specific exercises once a week and expect it to have any impact. Many of these underlying issues may have been present for months or even years before uncovering them. Therefore, address them daily, progress your program when able, and stay committed for the long haul.

Incorporate a Structured and Progressive Strength Training Program

Runners either have a love or hate relationship with strength training. However, one thing we can’t deny is that a higher level of strength or endurance only increases your tolerance to the demands of running. And, the great thing about that is, you are able to improve your foundation without running more miles. This is crucial as we age.

In my opinion, strength training is not the best term for it. Of course, it’s helpful to be stronger and more resilient. But, there are other characteristics which could better reduce your risk of injury, including: mobility, stability, neuromuscular control, timing, coordination, stiffness, and shock absorption. All of these play a vital role while running and should be addressed within your strength training program.

The big question usually becomes, how do you implement a strength training program alongside your running? Of course, running needs to be your priority. With that being said, there are weeks or months throughout the year where you can be more aggressive in the gym. This is usually following your goal race as you take some time to recover or even early in your running plan while you are still establishing a base. Then, as mileage builds, strength training can back down into more of a maintenance phase. As long as your body is able to adequately recover between runs, strength training should play a role in some way. Anywhere from 1-4 days per week is recommended depending on the time of year.

Understand Intensity, Volume, & the Importance of Recovery

Three of the most important variables in running are intensity, volume, and recovery. These have a very special relationship with each other that undoubtedly play into your likelihood of enduring a running-related injury. Plain and simple, the higher the intensity or greater the volume, the more recovery is needed. When recovery is overlooked for the sake of running faster or more miles, tissue breakdown will likely exceed tissue repair.

Running is infamous for chronic overuse injuries such as tendinopathies and stress fractures. How do these occur? A repetitive load is applied for too long or with too much magnitude for positive remodeling to occur. That’s why it’s very important to listen to your body and reduce intensity or volume when you are excessively tired, not sleeping well, experiencing high levels of stress, during certain times of your menstrual cycle, and/or not hitting your normal paces.

In the end, it’s important to be smart with your training. If you start to notice any of the warning signs listed above, consider what modifications you might have to make to stay healthy. That’s why I always recommend following a structured and progressive plan that builds you up for your goal race, while prioritizing recovery. Not to mention utilizing an experienced running coach to help you make smart decisions.

Like I mentioned upfront, running is hard on the body and there is no way to prevent running-related injuries from occurring altogether. Being smart, listening to your body, and applying some of the strategies I mentioned can help alleviate the risk so you can continue running on your terms for years to come.

Thank you for reading this article. Please comment below or contact me directly if you have feedback or any questions. And, if you feel like a running analysis, movement assessment, or individualized strength training program could help you become a more resilient runner, don’t hesitate to reach out!

‘In the Spotlight’ with Claudette Watson

October 13, 2019 · by Garrett McLaughlin

In this edition of ‘In the Spotlight,’ let’s talk with Claudette Watson. I have had the privilege of working with Claudette beginning in February of 2019. She started in-person with a 2x/week functional training option and then switched to the remote coaching program when I moved to Michigan.

Claudette and I have interacted quite a bit over the years. Whether that be at Fleet Feet Sports Nashville or one of my learn-by-doing seminars, she has always been eager to learn more about running injury prevention and strength training. Unfortunately, a challenging return from injury finally allowed us to work together in an official capacity. But, I was very happy for the opportunity.

One area that I believed was holding Claudette back was her current strength training routine. It consisted of a lengthy list of physical therapy-type exercises but did not take the next step to load and build tolerance to the high impacts of running. Through a movement assessment and evaluation, we were able to determine her specific needs and began working towards targeting those weak links with a structured and progressive program.

Fortunately for me, Claudette is very hard working, dedicated to the process, and inquisitive to want to understand the “why” behind the program. This allowed her to go from struggling early on when returning to running to excelling at a recent 5k.

Without further ado, let’s shine the spotlight on…

Claudette Watson

Q: Where are you from?

A: “I was born in New Jersey and moved around a lot as a child, but for middle school my family was relocated to Wilton, CT. That is where I discovered my love of running! I started as a sophomore in high school, where I ran indoor and outdoor track. I also had the opportunity to run cross country as a freshman in college. Early on, I was told I had “bad knees” by my doctor and advised to quit, but I decided to limit my mileage instead. Cross training of any kind really was not part of a young runner’s routine back in the 80’s. With some careful training and an inspiring college coach I was able to run my first 10-miler. After that I was hooked!”

Q: If you could live anywhere in the world where would that be? Why?

A: “I would live in Nashville! My husband and I love the friendly people and the country music scene. We appreciate all of the outdoor sport activities available to us and the excellent fitness opportunities with all of the gyms and studios in town.”

Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies?

A: “For cross training I enjoy swimming with our friends at Ensworth Aquatics Masters. I also like cooking for family and friends, and recently joined a book club and rediscovered the pleasure of reading fiction. We are also preparing for the arrival of a new puppy in October, and plan on doing some volunteer pet therapy with her in the near future.”

Q: What are the top reasons you enjoy running?

A: “I like running for all the reasons I enjoyed it as a teenager- the camaraderie, spending time outdoors, and the challenge of a good workout. I appreciate all the connections I have made through running- especially friends in the Brentwood Breakfast Club, Fleet Feet running programs, and working with coaches like Garrett.”

Q: When you first started working with Garrett, what goals did you want to achieve?

A: “I was primarily looking for improved injury resistance. I discovered in my 40s that I have low bone density; now that I am in my 50s I really have to pay attention to how I manage load-bearing activities within my weekly routine.”

Q: What motivated you to work with Garrett, and what were the goals you wanted to achieve?

A: “I sustained an injury from training and racing the Indianapolis marathon back in 2017 and had to restructure my overall program to include more strength training. My goal is adding muscle mass to have a protective effect on my bones and improve injury resistance for running.”

Q: How did your new strength training program differ from what you were doing before?

A: “Before working with Garrett, I was mostly focused on “prehab” physical therapy-type exercises and Pilates. Lifting heavier weights was not part of my program. So far I am seeing good results with Garrett’s program and had success running a 5K over Labor Day weekend.”

Q: What are the most noticeable improvements you’ve seen so far?

A: “I have gained muscle, improved posture and core strength, and am able to lift heavier things in daily life without assistance. My return to running has been easy after taking time to lay the foundation with Garrett’s strength program.”

Q: Since you have worked with Garrett in-person AND remotely, what are the advantages of each program?

A: “Garrett offers great form/technique corrections and motivation when you meet with him in-person. Remote coaching is flexible and you get quick feedback to your written questions and commentary on any videos you share. I also appreciate the monthly check-in call Garrett offers as part of the remote coaching program.”

Q: What is the one thing that you dislike the most but continue to work on because it will help?

A: “RAILs- I am easily sidetracked at home; although I am good about stretching I often neglect to make time for the actual corrective exercises. I am working on setting aside some time for that important component of the program.”

(Note: RAILs is an individualized corrective program I have each client complete to address the findings of their movement assessment. It stands for Release, Activate, Integrate, and Locomote. The goal is to correct any underlying limitations, imbalances, and reduce the likelihood of future injury.)

Q: How do you feel Garrett’s services may differ from other professionals in his field?

A: “Garrett’s movement assessments make sure the program is specifically tailored toward your body’s needs and your sport of running. He is also knowledgeable enough to accommodate any other requests you have- for example, my shoulder as it relates to swimming.”

Q: Looking ahead, do you have any new goals/races you are working towards?

A: “This year my project is working toward a faster 5K time. Then next year my goal is a 10K, followed by a half marathon in 2021. Whether I get to race another marathon will depend on how I perform over the next few years with this strength training regimen. I will most definitely will be looking to Garrett for his expert opinion!”

Thank you for reading this ‘In the Spotlight’ segment. And, a big shout out to Claudette Watson! Please feel free to comment below with any questions or feedback.

4 Things Every Runner Should Do in the Offseason

October 4, 2019 · by Garrett McLaughlin

| Article written on October 4th, 2019 at 1:15pm | Follow Garrett on Facebook and Instagram |

Congratulations! You completed your goal race and you’re ready to reduce mileage and let your body recover. Although you’ll still be running some miles each week, this is a great time to adjust your focus for the offseason.

Now, let me start by saying that most runners are not fond of the word offseason. Regardless of whether this is late fall/early winter or late spring/early summer, you’ll most likely still be running and possibly signing up for a handful of “fun” races. This is completely fine!

What this time of year provides is the ability to switch gears and focus your attention on the supplemental strategies which will make you a more successful runner. Because running mileage is low, it’s important to take advantage of the offseason to come back stronger and with a refreshed mental capacity. Unfortunately, those runners who don’t do this usually set themselves up for failure.

Because you deserve so much success with your running, I want to share with you the most important tips to consider this offseason. Of course, you don’t have to incorporate each and every strategy. But, you need to realize how impactful this time of the year can be on your running if you want to see longevity in the sport.

Let’s get started…

1.Reflection

Plain and simple, you can’t see where you are going unless you understand where you have been! It’s easy to just move on after your goal race. But, this is a mistake.

Instead, reflect on the success, or lack thereof, of your goal race and training. This will help you determine what needs to be fine tuned the next time around for better results. And, it should open your eyes to what you can work on throughout the remainder of the offseason to get a step ahead.

There are several different areas which are important to reflect upon, these include:

Race reflection
- Time
- Pace
- Did you achieve your goal?
- What were the limiting factors? (pain, weather, nutrition, fatigue, etc.)
Training reflection
- Did your training properly prepare you for race day?
- Did you struggle at a certain mileage?
- Any injuries along the way?
- Total duration of training plan (# of weeks)
- Total volume (weekly, monthly, & total miles)
- Composition of running (long slow distance, track, hill repeats, tempo runs, etc.)
- Supplemental movement strategies (strength training, mobility, core, warm-up, cool-down)

All of these things need to be considered to determine where you can do better next time. Instead of doing the same thing and expecting different results, complete an honest audit of your running and adjust accordingly.

2. Schedule a running-specific evaluation

The offseason is the most important time of year to take a better look at your body and re-build the foundation. When running mileage drops, it allows for more emphasis to be placed on correcting underlying imbalances and faulty running/movement mechanics. Addressing these key areas will help you stay injury-free and thriving when it matters most.

If you experienced an injury or niggle while training for your last race, regardless of whether it is now pain-free or not, you have to get to the bottom of it. Just because an area is no longer exhibiting pain does not mean the underlying cause has been corrected.

Seeking the help from a trained healthcare provider can go a long way. But, not all providers are created equal!

I recommend finding a provider who has experience in caring for running-related injuries specifically. The overuse nature of these injuries need to be handled appropriately with a thoughtful and progressive corrective program. Not to mention, a deeper look at your running form and mechanics is probably warranted.

Once the provider has identified and educated you on the key findings, it’s time to get to work! Following your daily corrective program and scheduling periodic check-ins with the provider will ensure you are addressing the issues properly and also progressing the program. Doing so now will make sure the aches and pains don’t re-surface when you get back into your training.

3. Implement an individualized and structured strength training routine

I cannot overstate this enough… Runners need to strength train regularly regardless of the time of year. With that being said, the offseason is the best time to really double down on these gains when running mileage is low. Or, to begin a strength training routine if you haven’t done so before.

One of the biggest problems I see is most runners consider adding strength training at the same time they begin their formal running plan. What most don’t realize is that it’s harder for the body to recover with two competing stressors. Therefore, if you can strategically begin creating your base in the offseason, this will allow you to have a solid foundation in place before running mileage increases.

Remember that evaluation I mentioned above? That should help guide your strength training routine in the offseason. Instead of aimlessly getting stronger, consider what are your weak areas which may be limiting performance and predisposing you to injury. Once you understand that, spend time 2-4x/week creating a better foundation. This can be in the gym or at home with a bodyweight routine.

In general, it can’t hurt to increase strength and endurance. These characteristics provide a protective shield around the body which helps make you more resilient to the demands of running. But, you must also target power, stability, timing, coordination, and mobility. That’s why I always recommend the use of bodyweight movements, free weights, and minimal selectorized equipment.

A handful of the best exercises for runners are deadlifts, single leg deadlifts, squats, rear foot elevated split squats, lunges, calf raises, plank variations, and bridging variations. In addition, increasing upper body strength and improving posture will be especially important to maintain a good body position while running. So make sure your routine is full body and even consists of a few heavier lifts in the 2-6 repetition range.

4. Incorporate an activity that consists of multi-directional movements

When you look at the demands of running, it’s easy to realize that the movement happens in a straight line (sagittal plane). Despite this, smaller multiplanar movements (frontal and transverse planes) are occurring simultaneously throughout the body. Therefore, it’s important for runners to maintain their ability to move in multiple planes of motion outside of distance running.

Strength training is one great way to break the body out of this habitual movement pattern. This can consist of lateral and rotational movements which aren’t often found in the running motion. Some tend to argue that this lack of specificity won’t help improve performance, and I disagree. That’s because it creates a more robust and versatile movement vocabulary. This helps prevent against repetitive overuse injuries and provides a well-rounded foundation to put a more specific type of training on top of.

Another strategy is incorporating a different sport or activity that gets you moving in multiple planes of motion. For instance, soccer, tennis, and volleyball are very good offseason options. What these sports do is challenge muscles, joints, and movement patterns, in a completely different way than running. Plus, they more readily improve power, stability, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness, which can have a positive impact on your running.

Since the body is highly adaptable to the demands we place upon it, consistent running often produces good single plane athletes. With consistent training, many runners lose their ability to move competently in other planes of motion because they never practice these movements. From an injury and longevity standpoint this can be detrimental. That’s why I highly recommend finding an alternate sport throughout the offseason months which will preserve movement variability and provide a mental break before the next training cycle.

I hope you enjoyed this article on 4 Things Every Runner Should Do in the Offseason. Please take a second and comment below with any specific strategies or tips that have helped you in the past. And, if you need a running-specific evaluation or individualized strength training program, please click here to contact me directly.

By: Garrett McLaughlin, MS, ATC, CSCS, ART

How Much Flexibility Do You Actually Need to be a Successful Runner?

August 9, 2019 · by Garrett McLaughlin

| Article written on August 9th, 2019 at 12:11pm | Follow Garrett on Facebook and Instagram |

The topic of range of motion and flexibility has always been perceived as important for runners looking to reduce their likelihood of injury and improve performance. This is commonly addressed with yoga, static stretching, and other strategies to increase overall range of motion. But, does the sport of running require above average range of motion for this mindset to be warranted? This article will attempt to explain that!

Over the years, I have evaluated hundreds of runners who were either healthy and looking to improve performance, or injured and actively rehabilitating an injury. What’s common between them is most have this perception that increasing range of motion will get them to their end goal faster. This might be the case in activities which require large ranges of motion, such as: yoga, gymnastics, dance, etc., however, it is not such a priority in the world of long distance running.

First and foremost, for the sake of this article it’s important to understand the difference between range of motion and flexibility:

Range of motion: A measurement of motion around a specific joint or body part.

Flexibility: A measurement that describes the range of motion at a joint determined by the length of a given muscle, or muscles.

Oftentimes, these terms are used interchangeably despite being different. Because it’s easier to talk about range of motion without going deeper into a joint’s muscular contribution, this will be our focus.

In the following sections, I will touch on the joint range of motion required at the lower extremity (hip, knee, and ankle) throughout different phases of the running cycle. This will provide you with a better understanding of how much motion is needed to simply run in some capacity. To keep things simple, this article will not discuss running speed, uphill vs. downhill running, or foot strike pattern.

Range of Motion Requirements at the Hip Joint

The hip joint, despite being very popular in the stretching and yoga world, only goes through a small amount of it’s large range of motion while running. This includes approximately 60 degrees of total motion which is far less than people realize. At initial contact, the hip is in 50 degrees of flexion and it extends to -10 degrees of extension during push-off. Hip extension is the joint motion which becomes a priority during running due to occasional tightness in the hip flexors which can limit range of motion.

Range of Motion Requirements at the Knee Joint

The knee joint has a greater range of motion than the hip when analyzing joint kinematics. And, most of it occurs in a non-weight bearing fashion in the swing leg. During initial contact, the knee is at approximately 40 degrees of flexion. When the body travels over the foot during midstance, the knee begins to extend, and is at 15 degrees of flexion. This slightly flexed knee remains after push-off until early swing phase when it increases to 100 degrees of flexion and moves forward to prepare for the next foot strike.

Range of Motion Requirements at the Ankle Joint

During initial contact, the ankle is at approximately 10 degrees of dorsiflexion. But, as you enter midstance and the loading response phase, the ankle requires approximately 25 degrees of dorsiflexion. From here, and as the body moves over the foot to prepare for push-off, the ankle moves into 25 degrees of plantar flexion. The ankle joint is one area which can sometimes inhibit normal running mechanics when range of motion is limited in dorsiflexion.

In the end, besides ankle dorsiflexion and hip extension there isn’t a big demand on lower extremity range of motion while running as you can see from graphs above. So, why are runners spending so much time stretching in hopes of better running performance? If more range of motion isn’t required to successfully carry out this activity, it should be foregone for other strategies that increase strength, endurance, and stability.

With that being said, if you lack the range of motion mentioned above then by all means work to achieve the minimum requirement for that activity. If not, and you constantly feel tight, start to think of other reasons why that might be the case.

The feeling of tightness is quite subjective and could be anything from poor endurance, lack of recovery, muscular imbalance, or faulty mechanics. I often find that these areas are more commonly the issue than limited range of motion and thus require a more detailed look by a trained healthcare provider.

If you have any questions about this topic and want to talk more specifically about your situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. The articles I used for reference were: A public dataset of running biomechanics and the effects of running speed on lower extremity kinematics and kinetics and The biomechanics of running. Thanks for reading!

By: Garrett McLaughlin, MS, ATC, CSCS, ART

Advanced Movement Strategies to Maximize Your Running

July 24, 2019 · by Garrett McLaughlin

| Article written on July 24th, 2019 at 10:26am | Follow Garrett on Facebook and Instagram |

Kudos! You’ve been incorporating strength training for more than 2-years now and you need more advanced strategies to really take your running to the next level.

If you are looking to really fine tune your strength training program to improve performance, increase elasticity and running speed, and reduce the likelihood of injury, then this article is for you. I do not recommend many of these strategies if you have limited strength training experience (less than 2-years) as you first need to understand technique/form on the basic lifts, how a periodized strength training program can fit alongside your running plan, and how to adequately recover to make sure your running doesn’t suffer. Then, and only then, would I recommend adding these advanced strategies into your program.

In today’s article, I want to cover various advanced strategies that can take your running to the next level. They include:

Plyometrics
Power training
Heavy strength training
Post-activation potentiation

Let’s begin…

Plyometrics

Plyometrics is a movement-based strategy that incorporates jumping and landing to increase the shock absorption and energy transfer capabilities of the musculotendinous unit. Plain and simple, how efficiently can your body store and release energy to increase quickness and reduce the energy requirement during a specific task.

If we think about how this relates to running, it is very important. Running is a very plyometric-like activity. That’s because it requires these alternating bounds, float phases, quick ground contacts, and cyclical repetitions for miles and miles.

If we are able to improve the lower extremity’s ability to absorb and create energy, this means the body does not need to work as hard to create that energy itself and can do so in a more effortless and explosive manner. This improvement would ultimately lead to better running economy and less energy wasted, therefore improving your running performance and speed.

Like anything else, plyometrics is a skill which needs to be taught in a sequential fashion. My recommendation is that you first learn how to properly jump and land with emphasis on a quick push-off and soft-landing.

Three exercises which make this a priority are the vertical jump & stick, bound, and single leg jump & stick (shown below)…

If you have not been incorporating any movements which require a push-off and landing within your strength training program, adding these landing-based plyometrics alone will provide much benefit. Start with 2-4 sets of 3-5 repetitions and take ample rest in between sets. When you increase the speed and explosiveness of a movement, rest time needs to increase to allow for full neural and muscular recovery.

The next step is ultimately to improve the storage and release of energy in the musculotendinous unit. This requires multiple jumps being completed very rapidly in succession.

Three of my favorite plyometric drills are ankles hops, squat jumps, and repetitive single leg jumps (shown below)…

What is important to realize when it comes to plyometrics for runners is the limited range of motion required throughout the running cycle. Therefore, when performing these plyometric drills, you do not need to lower all the way into the bottom of the position. Instead, quickly lower to absorb force and then get into the air rapidly. It’s this quick transition from the landing to the jump which will ultimately create the best results.

Once again, anytime you are incorporating plyometrics rest and recovery is very important. Start by completing 2-3 sets of 3-5 repetitions and allow adequate recovery between sets.

Power Training

Power training is a form of resistance training that focuses on quick and rapid muscular contractions. In contrast to strength training, the key difference is the force being exerted in the shortest time possible. Plyometrics can in fact be a subset of power training. But, for the purpose of this article, we will focus primarily on loaded movements with barbells or dumbbells.

Because running is an endurance activity, it’s hard to fathom the need for olympic weightlifting, weighted squat jumps, medicine ball throws, and other power-based exercises. But, if we review the demands of the sport, it’s easy to understand that running economy and speed greatly benefit from training explosively. Not to mention the resilience and tolerance to load it provides for bone and tendons when training this way.

There are endless options when recommending which exercises are the most impactful. I usually program power exercises based on the runner, their lifting experience, and any underlying limitations which would limit their effectiveness or increase the risk of injury.

Over the years, I have narrowed down this category to a few reliable movements which most runners can benefit from. They include the barbell squat jump, power shrug, hang high pull, and single arm dumbbell snatch. These exercises are very similar as they require moving a set resistance as quickly as possible using the lower extremity.

When programming these power exercises, it’s important to find a resistance that you are able to move rapidly from point A to point B. Increasing resistance too quickly will result in a slower movement that defeats the purpose of this style of training for runners. Incorporate 2-4 sets of 3-5 repetitions while prioritizing plenty of rest in between sets to fully recover.

Heavy Strength Training

Heavy strength training is likely the most similar to what you’ve been utilizing within your lifting program thus far, but not to the same degree. If you’ve already been incorporating strength training then you are most of the way there. Now, I’d like you to find a handful exercises that you can really load in terms of resistance.

Running is a bodyweight activity, I agree wholeheartedly. But, as you increase running speed and account for the amount of ground reaction forces encountered during foot strike, you’ll quickly realize the need to increase load within your strength training program.

Research tells us that the body has to withstand 2-6 times it’s bodyweight during each foot strike. That’s massive! And, if you are only lifting light weights in the 12-20 repetition range, what is preparing your bones, joints, and tissues to handle this amount of force?

Another reason heavy strength training is helpful for runners is by increasing speed. In order to be faster, we must teach the body how to recruit more muscle fibers. The more muscle fibers recruited, the greater degree of strength and power that can be expressed.

I always tell my runners… If you train slow, you will be slow. That’s why several of these strategies should be included in your strength training program to build resilience and speed. In addition to those running-related strategies such as track workouts, hill repeats, etc.

Of course, some exercises lend themselves more easily to being loaded in a simple and effective way. Although none are completely off the table. Several of my favorite heavy loaded strength exercises for runners are the trap bar deadlift, rack pull, and back squat.

Because increased loading is the goal, I often program bilateral exercises to accomplish this. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t load up split squats, rear foot elevated split squats, and single leg deadlifts. Truth is, most of my runners also perform heavy split stance and single leg exercises depending on where they are within their running plan.

When performing these heavy strength exercises, focus on 3-4 sets of 2-6 repetitions. This should be a high percentage of your one repetition maximum and therefore requires adequate rest in between sets for full recovery.

Post-Activation Potentiation

Post-activation potentiation (PAP) is a concept that aims to increase the force exerted due to a previous muscular contraction. For instance, PAP utilizes a heavy loaded strength movement followed by a plyometric movement. The thought is that this first movement makes the muscle fibers more sensitive to a contraction or there is greater excitation within the spinal cord which amplifies the subsequent plyometric movement.

Now, before we dig deeper, some of the research states that this type of training might be more beneficial in people with a greater composition of type II muscle fibers. So why am I sharing this when speaking to distance runners? Because it could have a positive impact on running speed and tendon storage/release. And, it has been something that I have experimented with on some of my running clients.

Two pairings of exercises to incorporate PAP are the trap bar deadlift with bounds and back squat with squat jumps. It’s important to use movements which are similar to target the same muscle fibers. The trap bar deadlift and bound are more of a hip dominant strategy, while the back squat and squat jump are knee dominant.

Paired with…

With more research needed on this area, I would recommend 2-4 sets of 4-6 repetitions. The goal is to keep your strength movement heavy enough while still maintaining the integrity of the plyometric. Therefore, like every other strategies in this article, adequate rest is necessary between sets. One article recommended up to 7-10 minutes between sets of moderate intensity lifting.

After reviewing these strategies and reflecting on your current strength training routine, it’s important to consider what small changes you can make to take things to the next level. As always, I highly recommend incorporating these new strategies during your off-season period. I understand that the “off-season” is relative for each runner. But, if you finished your goal race or don’t have anything scheduled for another 16-weeks, then you have the green light.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. If you have questions about this topic or want to work more closely in-person or remotely in the Online Movement Coaching Program, click here to contact me.

By: Garrett McLaughlin, MS, ATC, CSCS, ART

3 Drills to Improve Pelvic Control for Runners

July 9, 2019 · by Garrett McLaughlin

Article written on July 9th, 2019 at 11:06am | Follow Garrett on Facebook and Instagram |

Despite only being bodyweight and something we just did as kids when playing sports or getting in trouble around the neighborhood, running is a complex set of actions that requires stability, timing, and coordination. One area in particular that I have paid extra attention to over the years is the pelvis.

What we need to realize about running is the set of demands acting in multiple planes of motion. Even though the movement itself happens in the sagittal plane (forward), there are frontal (lateral) and transverse plane (rotational) stresses occurring simultaneously which the body needs to withstand in order to maintain an optimal position.

While looking more closely at the pelvis and the single leg demands of running, it’s obvious that this junction helps tie together the lower extremity and trunk. Poor positioning and control of the pelvis can limit performance and cause a myriad of issues both above and below this area. That’s why emphasizing proper positioning of the pelvis is of the utmost importance within your strength training and injury prevention routine. But, unfortunately, it’s something that’s easily overlooked for more range of motion or greater loading during specific exercises. This can be a detriment to your running.

The two positions at the pelvis which I observe closely when watching my running clients are an excessive anterior pelvic tilt and pelvic drop. Now, before we go any further please realize that these positions are needed and will happen during running. But, it’s important to resist the extreme that reduces efficiency of movement. Because running is a mid-range activity that requires stability around the pelvis and trunk, excess motion is undesirable.

Anterior Pelvic Tilt

First, let’s talk about anterior pelvic tilt… Like I mentioned above, this is a common motion at the pelvis which needs to happen for proper mechanics of the lower extremity, pelvis, and spine during gait. Specifically, the pelvis will tilt anteriorly to allow for a greater hip extension range during the late stance phase and push-off. However, teaching runners how to control against an excessive anterior tilt in a controlled environment within their strength training program will help promote core stability and a more aligned and rigid position on the road or trail.

The most beneficial exercise that helps tie together the spine and pelvis while resisting against motion at the extremities, just like while running, is the dead bug. The dead bug is classified as an anti-extension core stability exercise. When classifying this exercise in relation to the spine, that is exactly true. But as I noted above, hip/spine extension and anterior pelvic tilt go hand and hand. So by limiting spine extension, you are also teaching the pelvis how to resist an anterior tilting pelvis.

How to perform the dead bug:

Lay supine with your hands above the shoulders and your knees above your hips
Reinforce a position where you engage the abdominals and slightly pull the rib cage down
At the same time, move the opposite arm and leg away from each other in a controlled manner
Return back to the starting point and repeat on the other side
Repeat this for 2 to 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions per side while resisting any change in position around the pelvis and lumbar spine

Note: The emphasis of this exercise should be around maintaining stability at the pelvis and core while moving the extremities. Therefore, being thoughtful and always reseting when form is lost will be important.

Now, please understand that the dead bug is the best starting point to teach proper anti-extension core stability and resisting against the anterior pelvic tilt. But, it’s not the end-all-be-all. This is the foundation which should be applied to your other core stability exercises as well. These exercises can include front planks, side planks, bird dog, straight legs lowering, stability ball rollouts, etc.

Pelvic Drop: Part 1

The next position of the pelvis which we will cover is called the pelvic drop. A little bit different then the forward tilting motion of the anterior tilt, the pelvic drop is lack of control in the frontal plane.

To paint a clear picture… pelvic drop happens when you are standing on one leg as you are running, and the opposite side pelvis drops towards the ground. This is also referred to as a positive Trendelenburg sign (see picture below). Although the ‘opposite’ side drops, it’s actually a stability and neuromuscular issue on the stance leg. That’s because muscles surrounding the hip joint, pelvis, and spine need to fire in anticipation to and throughout single leg stance to maintain an optimal position. This drop is a sign of a poor feedforward and feedback mechanism that causes inefficient movement and increased injury risk in the surrounding area. Clinicians might also tell you that the hip abductors are weak.

Over the years, I have experimented with many exercises to figure out which allow people to appreciate this position the best. The hip hike and/or hip hike walking exercise is one that is simple to observe but challenging to execute. I usually try several different variations to see which one is the most easily achieved and then progress appropriately.

How to perform the hip hike:

This exercise can be done stationary, while standing on a weight plate or step, or while walking
Place your hands across the top crest of the pelvis on both sides
While isolating one leg as your standing leg, try to lift the opposite side pelvis so that it is level with or higher than your stance leg
When lifting the pelvis, do so without rotating the body or excessively laterally flexion the spine
Hold for 2-3 seconds and lower
Repeat for 8-12 repetitions and switch to the other side, or walk in an alternating fashion

Note: This should be a subtle motion when lifting the pelvis and more so to appreciate the position. Do not allow the body to alter it’s vertical position. This drill can easily be used as a neuromuscular prep before any single leg strength training or within your running dynamic warm-up.

Pelvic Drop: Part 2

Once proper control and positioning of the pelvis is appreciated with the hip hike, I like to take it a step further. This is where most people struggle when it comes to controlling the pelvis. It’s important to realize that running requires varying angles at the lower extremity joints and a significant force during initial contact. Therefore, the hip hike is a solid neuromuscular exercise to appreciate the position which then needs to be loaded further.

Since running requires control through a degree of hip flexion and extension, this needs to be simulated while emphasizing levelness at the pelvis. One exercise in particular that can be helpful is the slow eccentric step up. Now, before I explain the movement, it’s very important to realize that height of the step matters tremendously. Using a step that is 6-10 inches is all you want when re-training control of the pelvis. Anything higher and the added range of motion will be working against pelvic control.

How to perform the slow eccentric step up:

Find a stair or low step that is approximately 6-10 inches high (the lower the better to start)
Place one foot on the step with a bent knee, and slightly lean the body forward over that leg
Adjust the pelvis to determine what position allows you to be level across both sides
Drive through the front leg to pull the body up into single leg stance
Ensure you are completing this motion slowly and maintaining levelness of the pelvis
Lower back time while emphasizing the front leg controlling you down, rather than the back leg reaching for the ground
Complete for 2 to 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions per side

Note: Control of the pelvis trumps height of the step. Therefore, start with a lower step and progress once you master the position. This same positional control of the pelvis should be implemented with other exercises, such as: lunges, single leg stance, etc.

In the end, this approach to re-establishing and reinforcing proper position of the pelvis takes time and consistency. I usually recommend that my runners progress through focused exercises for 3-6 months to see reliable results. It’s also smart to consider other running variables such as cadence, vertical oscillation, and crossover sign which will impact position of the pelvis. So make sure you are determining what areas require an intervention and proceed as needed.

If you have any questions about this topic, please feel free to comment below or schedule your FREE 15-minute Discovery Call. The Discovery Call is a way for us to connect and talk more specifically about your needs, as well as answer any questions you might have.

By: Garrett McLaughlin, MS, ATC, CSCS, ART

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