GB INTERNATIONAL ALEX TEUTEN OFFERS INSIGHT ON THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING
AS MANY UK athletes will tie up their spike laces once more for the regional and national championship cross country fixtures, it seems a good time to talk about it.
Cross country is a multi-faceted discipline; at different points in any race it tests the physical strength, speed and the mental fortitude of every athlete. So many of Britain’s greatest athletes have graced the surface, and indeed I believe it is a key ingredient to being a successful athlete on the track or road: ignore it at your peril! Cross country has always been a mainstay of my athletics career; ever since the annual school race round the football pitches in year 4 when I fell in love with it all.
So much of being a successful cross country athlete is having a good feel for the surface, and I think the only way to acquire that is to get out there and run in the stuff! Don’t be afraid to get yourself covered in mud; it will wash off and the benefits of running on the surface should not be discounted. The soft surface underfoot reduces the impact force, which ultimately will lower the risk of injuries. Of course, be careful to find a well-lit route if running at night! On top of that, carrying out your easy runs on the grass provides a more testing workout, so whilst the stopwatch won’t appear flattering, you can take comfort in knowing you worked hard for it. Finally, thanks to the uneven surface you can benefit from strengthening stabiliser muscles (for example, tibialis anterior), ankles and even your core, so you’re actually getting two workouts in one!
TALKING TACTICS
Bu hikaye Athletics Weekly dergisinin January 18, 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Athletics Weekly dergisinin January 18, 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Carbon Footprint
You'd have had to have been running on a different planet to miss all the recent debate about carbon-plated shoes. The talk of bans and performance enhancement has been so widespread that even non-runners are asking their running friends about the potentially magical footwear.
Trail time
WHEN looking for a trail or off-road running shoe, it’s often all about the grip. However, given that no two paths are the same, careful consideration is required. What’s the terrain like where you’ll wear the shoes the most? If you’ll be negotiating soft, wet and muddy conditions then look for deeper lugs. For tackling gravel tracks and forest trails then more evenly spaced lugs will work better. When it comes to cushioning, consider how hard the ground will be; if it’s soft then you’ll be fine in low-profile shoes, but on those firmer tracks reasonable cushioning will be called for.
Stay neutral
EVOLVING every year, if not month, neutral cushioned shoes are seeing developments in cushioning materials and dynamics at a pace which is nothing short of astonishing. The latest models feature new polymers in the midsoles to give them a cushioned feel while at the same time keeping their weight to a minimum. Give them a spin and choose the most comfortable for mile after mile of shock absorbing running.
Support network
WHEN it comes to ‘over-pronation’, a common question is ‘how much is over?’. With no hard and fast rules, it’s best to choose a shoe that instinctively feels right. Gait analysis can often assist in helping you make this choice and your specialist running store is always a good place to start if in doubt. To help you make that choice, here’s a selection of some of the best ‘support’ shoes around.
Need for speed
THE racing shoe segment of the market is becoming somewhat split. This is partially due to the rise of carbon-plated footwear but also the fact that many shoes are becoming much lighter. Here we take a look at some of the leading contenders to toe the line in.
Gadget show
WITH technological products to enhance every area of life, running is now no different. From headphones to treadmills, the devices to aid performance and recovery are endless. Here we take a look at some of the latest gadgets and gizmos to enhance your training.
What's in a shoe?
We bust some of the jargon around footwear
How To Prime Your Immunity
Taking steps to shore your body’s defences has never been more important. Here’s how to do it, says Peta Bee
English Schools Survival At Stake
Covid-19 could lead to ESAA losing thousands this summer
Covid-19: Athletics Events Are Wiped Out
Unprecedented calendar changes due to Covid-19
