Boston Marathon is coming! Some runners start showing muscular problems in this final leg of their training.
February 5, 2016
Over the course of my career I have worked with many Marathon Runners from 1st timers to runners who travel the globe to compete in this sport which they are so passionate about. I commend all who take on the arduous challenge to run 26.21875 miles. In order to be prepared for race day training for a marathon requires, on average, runners to comfortably run 30 to 40 miles per week. It’s is about this time of year when I begin receiving calls from runners that they are suffering from issues and can’t either continue their training or their training program is being interrupted by pain.
I am by no means an expert on the training processes required to get to the starting line of a marathon. I am however, skilled at recognizing muscle condition in athletes and whether or not an athlete’s muscles are functioning or able to function for the race ahead.
One common trait, I have noticed, in many of the long distance runners I have treated, is that so often marathon runners “Have NO ASS”. Their Gluteus Maximus (along with Glute Minimus, Glute Medius…..) are not developed. These muscles simply don’t fire (contract). They are going along for the ride butt (pun intended) are not contributing to the function of running. I call this the: “Flatt Ass Syndrome”. These runners are essentially only running with their legs (Hamstrings, Quadriceps and Calf muscles).
“Flat Ass Syndrome”
Developed Glutes for Running
There is one runner in particular who’s story I would like to share with you, his name is Dan. Dan came to me in March 2010, just one month away from the start of the Boston Marathon. I had never treated Dan before but he was desperate to find help because he hit a wall, was in pain, and could not keep his training going and did not want to give up on his desire to Run the Boston Marathon. Dan had run the marathon before, exactly, 10 Years before and he had a goal to complete his 2nd marathon within 30 minutes of his time from 10 years ago. The problem was Dan’s Glutes were totally ineffective, he wasn’t using them, they were severely underdeveloped. His hamstrings and I.T. bands were badly restricted, running any distance was impossible. I could eliminate the restricted muscle fibers and pain he was having but he needed to change course, stop running all together and focus on developing his Gluteus Muscles if he wanted to run in the Boston Marathon in the weeks to come. Below is his testimonial to me.
I went to see Colleen (on the recommendation of a friend) about one month prior to the 2010 Boston Marathon. My left hip had become very sensitive (after months of training) and I was having trouble walking upstairs much less running. She really identified the problem (weak glutes) which had put too much stress on the rest of my stride. Colleen gave me a set of exercises to strengthen those muscles and by race day, I was completely pain free. Her therapy and advise not only got me to the start line but also to the finish, 26.2 miles later. Thank you Colleen !…next year we will break 3:30 !!
—Daniele
Some of the exercises I gave Dan are featured in an article in Runner’s World and can be found at:
http://www.runnersworld.com/workouts/10-essential-strength-exercises-for-runners
All the exercises featured in the above article are essential for Runners especially Marathon Runners. In closing, Specific Therapeutic Massage and Recovery will complete the process which will get you to the Finish Line!
BACK in MOTION is a Rep for Recovery Pump – Which I highly recommend for Serious Athletes (Runners in particular). For more information on this fabulous Recovery tool visit the rest of my site and feel free to contact me – Colleen