Why You Shouldn't Run... ????
Being a Runner,
My antenna starts to raise every time I hear someone tell someone else that they shouldn't be running.
My Questions is always- Why Not?
And Then I read this series of posts from the Movement Restoration Project.
I'm sharing this here because I think it's actually important information.
Should you be running?
(my answer is always YES- that is, if you enjoy running like I do).
Should you be running for fitness or weight-loss?
That answer is debatable and there's a lot of discussion on that subject.
But right now,
I invite you to understand why Brandon Hetzler MS, ATC, SFG II, Karen Rakowski ATC, PT, Jim Raynor MS, ATC all state that you shouldn't run until you understand movement....
You can connect with them on Facebook here--->>> at the Movement Restoration Project.
Movement. Good Movement. Movement that doesn't hurt.
May I suggest you read through this post then leave your comments.
For sake of consolidation, rather than pointing you to find every individual post they did on the subject,
I've copied and pasted them all here.
Check it out, then visit their Facebook page.
5.5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Run, by the Movement Restoration Project:
Reason 5.5 Why people shouldn't run - PAIN!
Pain is a signal that something is wrong.
I'm not talking about the discomfort from exertion, I'm talking the "OUCH! That's not right" pain that runners use as their testament to toughness.
Tough isn't exercise - tough is leaving your family to go defend your country, or being a single parent doing everything to scrape by to provide for your child, or going to work not knowing if your life will be called upon to save another.
Pain is a signal that there is physiologic damage being done. Most sane people wouldn't slam a hammer into their shin - doesn't even sound fun. What is the prevalence of stress fractures in runners? It is an injury that is 100% preventable AND caused by the person running.
So, IF someone is pain free, they are one step closer to being able to run. However, if they are in pain - STOP!!!! Fix it, then run.
Reason 5 Why people shouldn't run - Maintenance.
In high school, my first truck was my dad's.
I could take it whenever I wanted and go wherever as long as when I brought it back it was in EXACTLY the same condition as when I left. I quickly learned my lesson of not filling the gas tank up after a date.
How many people take time after running (or training even) to get their body back to how it was before - in regards to damage, aches, or breakdown. Everyone should take 15-20 minutes per day performing maintenance to knock the rust off and keep themselves as good as possible.
However, what typically happens is a little ache is overlooked and it turns into PAIN and overlooked some more and then running has to be stopped.
We aren't cats - we only get one life in one body.
If we want to stay active we need to keep our tires rotated, the oil fresh, clean air filters, a full tank of gas and a wash every now and again.
Our bodies will thank us and our co-workers that sit close to us will thank us.
Reason 4 Why people shouldn't run - symmetry.
If a runner hasn't been screened, they are not prepared to run.
Asymmetry has been shown to increase injury risk. Running has the potential to create a left/right asymmetry as well as a front back asymmetry. Everyone needs to be as symmetrical as possible (for their given circumstance).
Especially when you consider the number of foot contacts a runner takes in a training session, week, and month. Every contact has the potential to improve symmetry or promote asymmetry and if a runner begins asymmetrical, it will only get worse.
Reason 3 why people shouldn't run - Strength.
Runners run.
IF they venture into the weight room they do sets of 12-15 or more to work on "endurance". They might throw in some crunches to hit the core, but it is very poor supplementary work.
Our standard is that runners at minimum deadlift their bodyweight. Surprisingly, as their deadlift numbers rise so does their performance. We also expect them to be able to do a pull up - even more surprising is they enjoy this.
If there isn't a good strength foundation, there cannot be any level of muscular endurance. Think about the injuries that runners sustain - they are not cardiovascular injuries, they are muscular injuries. Injuries happen at the weakest link in the chain, so if the muscular system is the weak link........
Runners need to hit minimum numbers on certain lifts in the off season. Then in season, they need to maintain their strength.
Reason #2 why people shouldn't run - it is the PINNACLE of the Neurodevelopmental sequence (NDS).
Huh?
Well, crawling and rolling are big right now.
People are being introduced to the fact they have trouble or cannot do one or both of these. Slap in the face moment - if you have trouble rolling or crawling (or anything else in the NDS) you are not ready to run.
Rolling is the foundation of single leg stance, so problems there mean problems in single leg stance - kind of important in running. Crawling gets the opposing limbs, eyes, hemispheres of the brain, and ears working together, so problems there mean problems trying to put all that together anywhere else - kind of important in running.
Now to clarify-
When I say "Reasons why people shouldn't run" I truly mean it.
HOWEVER!
It is not a life sentence from no running - it means reflect on your issues, specifically the ones I'm highlighting here.
If anything I've mentioned is a problem you may have, it would be in your best interest to address it before continuing running. Once you have addressed your issues RUN! Everyone SHOULD run. Not everyone is ready TO run. I have a ton of respect for running and runners - but I also think there are flaws with how people run and train (actually avoid training) to run.
I have been amazed at some of the posts and responses I've gotten to these past few slides.
There have been some very poignant responses and even more private messages point out my "Arrogance" and my "lack of professionalism for telling everyone not to run".
I've been called worse, and my recommendation to anyone that needs a hug is to stick around until this wraps up - you might be surprised at which side of the fence I'm on.
And the #1 Reason Why People Shouldn't Run is.......... Because running is a SKILL.
No one (not anyone with any sense) would pick up a kettlebell and knock out a snatch test with the appropriate bell without ever training for it (specifically by going thru a progression to learn that skill.)
Peyton Manning didn't wake up one day with the ability to read a defense a throw a ball anywhere he wanted - he followed a learning progression, that involved many years of training and practice.
No one would challenge Michael Jordan to a game of H-O-R-S-E (except Larry Bird) if they had never shot a jump shot before.
Who in their right mind would jump into an open water 1 mile swim (swimming is a self limiting exercise, if you are no good at it either you don't swim or you sink).
But how often do people decide "I'm going to run a marathon" in ____ months.
Never mind the fact that they are several pounds overweight, don't know how far a marathon is and their only activity in the past 6 months was running in from the rain.
RUNNING IS A SKILL and needs to be respected as such.
It takes training, there is a technique, it requires practice.
Please, Please, PLEASE don't disrespect it by jumping in feet first with no preparation. It requires strength, symmetry, daily maintenance, quality movement and good health going in (seriously, who runs to get healthy? That is ludicrous- you NEED TO BE HEALTHY TO RUN! But I digress.)
The biggest problem with running is that it requires very little equipment and everyone has free access to a location.
There are no rules to learn. Anyone at anytime can start running.
And everyone should run.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT I truly think everyone should have the ability to run. Reality has taught me, however, that very few people meet the criteria to run.
Don't not run if you are a runner.
Back down your mileage. Reflect HARD on yourself. Do you hurt?
How symmetrical are you (find an FMS Expert).
How strong are you today, not when you were 20.
What do you do everyday to stay able to run.
You take the time to prepare for work or class, you take time to put gas in your car.
Why can't you find the time to spend 15' doing self maintenance so you can do what you enjoy - RUN!
If you aren't able or willing to do that, then yes I will 100% of the time tell you that you shouldn't run.
But it is your fault - I'm just the only one willing to be honest and tell you the truth.
Whew- That's was a tough read. and a pretty good explanation on why you shouldn't run...Yet.
I think this is critical and everyone of my running clients will be required to read it.
How can you help prepare yourself to run better, fix your strength, symmetry, coordination, balance, and movement patterns.
I recommend the Tai Cheng system.
This program is a functional training system that combines FMS / Movement concepts and ancient slow body control patterns (Tai Chi).
It will help you re-train movement patterns that will prepare your body for running.
Once that's complete, continue to build Strength, Balance, Coordination and Agility with P90X.
Best,
Jamie
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