Are you Team Head or Team Knees? When I began running in high school, I was forced by my very first coach to put my hands on my head, and stand tall, when recovering from hard track interval sessions. My default previously had been to bend over, put my hands on my knees, and take 10 to 20 seconds' worth of deep breaths - and then get ready for the next repeat.
But no, said the coach. "Open the lungs!" Which happens when your hands are on your head. You shouldn't bend over, because that achieves exactly the opposite.
"Bending down also shows weakness. Stand tall," was another of his motivations.
I remember doing this; I instantly felt worse than when I was bent over, hands on knees. And I found it harder to breathe standing up. And then putting my hands on my head seemed to make it even worse.
But what did I know? My coach was the expert.
Now, almost 30 years later, my experience has been borne out by some research. In what was a pretty simple study, researchers in Washington got 20 women footballers to do hard four-minute running repeats on a treadmill, and then made them recover between repeats for three minutes - either with their hands on their knees, or with their hands on their heads. Then they measured heart rate and breathing rate, to compare the two recovery positions.
KNEES FTW
This story is from the September/October 2022 edition of Runner's World SA.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September/October 2022 edition of Runner's World SA.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
LONGOVERDUE PRAISE FOR THE RUNNING SINGLET
In the last decade, the running singlet once reserved for amateur competitors and professional athletes - has gone mainstream, not only on race day but also on everyday runs.
RISE OF THE 'ILLEGAL RUNNING SHOES
Banned shoes emerged at a basketball court long before they found their way onto a marathon course.
CRACKING THE SLEEP CODE
Are you an early bird or a night owl? Perhaps you've assigned yourself another animal after completing an internet quiz. Research is shedding light on the link between well-being and circadian predisposition, but there's no need to rewire yourself. Learn to lean into your biology with our guide.
THE SECRET TO SPEED IS IN YOUP BLOOD
Some of the world's best runners credit this unorthodox Norwegian training method for their success. Is it right for you?
THE MIND OF MASSYN
IN 2024, LOUIS MASSYN WILL ATTEMPT HIS 49TH COMRADES MARATHON AND HE'S LEARNT PLENTY OF LESSONS ALONG THE WAY. HERE'S THE STORY OF HIS AMAZING JOURNEY.
TAKING CHARGE
OUTSPOKEN AND AMBITIOUS, NEW COMRADES RACE MANAGER (AND FORMER WINNER) ANN ASHWORTH IS LOOKING TO TAKE THE RACE INTO THE FUTURE.
A HALF CENTURY OF COMRADES
THIS YEAR, BARRY HOLLAND WILL BE AIMING TO FINISH HIS 50TH CONSECUTIVE COMRADES MARATHON. THIS IS WHAT HAS INSPIRED HIM.
MY RUNNING LIFE
ORDINARY RUNNERS doing EXTRAORDINARY THINGS
Ageing In The Age Of Strava
RECENTLY MY BUDDY Sean sent a text message that said, “Been running a lot of 5:30–6:00 kays early. It feels pretty nice at that pace.”
How To Start A Run When You Don't Feel Like It
I'VE ALWAYS FELT validation when reading a story about writers and their love of procrastination.