Ever wondered why we take time to learn how to play a sport like tennis or golf, but naturally assume that we know how to run? Even babies need to be taught how to walk, but somehow we simply presume that after we have learnt how to walk, we think that our bodies would automatically know how to run. That's a strange impression to take towards the sport of running, which is nonetheless just like another form of sport, isn't it?
Ever since I joined the F1 Runners Team, my eyes have been opened to a whole new world into the sport of running. Despite running for over 17 years, there is still more than meets the eye, when training under the coaching of Lexxus Tan. Nope, I am not typing this blog post to sing his praises, but out of recognition and sincere appreciation for all that he has shared with us over the past weeks of training.
The primary movement of running involves the releasing of the foot from the ground. A seemingly simple action, but without proper conditioning of the body, a runner will not be able to effectively maintain this repeated primary movement and go the distance without sustaining injury, losing the flow of his/her running form, or constantly improve on his/her personal best.
In order not to neglect the finer points of running efficiently and safely, I always keep in mind the mental image of the cheetah that I learnt from one of the running tips posted on the F1 Runners blog. Visualising the cheetah in action reminds me of the importance of muscular elasticity and strength conditioning, so as to maintain a quick rhythm of any repetitive motion; which in this case implies to running. During a chase, the cheetah moves with amazing speed and focus, which makes us marvel at its athletic prowess and muscular suppleness! Unlike many of us who struggle with our taut hamstrings, calf cramps and poor muscular flexibility, the cheetah's muscles remain loose and flexible so that it can sustain quick-footedness during its run. Now that is how we should run!
Ever since I joined the F1 Runners Team, my eyes have been opened to a whole new world into the sport of running. Despite running for over 17 years, there is still more than meets the eye, when training under the coaching of Lexxus Tan. Nope, I am not typing this blog post to sing his praises, but out of recognition and sincere appreciation for all that he has shared with us over the past weeks of training.
The primary movement of running involves the releasing of the foot from the ground. A seemingly simple action, but without proper conditioning of the body, a runner will not be able to effectively maintain this repeated primary movement and go the distance without sustaining injury, losing the flow of his/her running form, or constantly improve on his/her personal best.
In order not to neglect the finer points of running efficiently and safely, I always keep in mind the mental image of the cheetah that I learnt from one of the running tips posted on the F1 Runners blog. Visualising the cheetah in action reminds me of the importance of muscular elasticity and strength conditioning, so as to maintain a quick rhythm of any repetitive motion; which in this case implies to running. During a chase, the cheetah moves with amazing speed and focus, which makes us marvel at its athletic prowess and muscular suppleness! Unlike many of us who struggle with our taut hamstrings, calf cramps and poor muscular flexibility, the cheetah's muscles remain loose and flexible so that it can sustain quick-footedness during its run. Now that is how we should run!
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