I challenge you to think differently about your shoes and the negative effects your footwear is having on your feet, the way you move and ultimately your health.
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Article by Leah Anstis Every so often James prods me to pen a few words. Perhaps to entertain you with my relatable trials and tribulations, maybe for me to vent, or simply just spend some time reflecting on the happenings and achievements that have crossed my path over the past few weeks. Either way, it’s a space for me to feel like I’m talking to someone without actually having to see anyone.  Article by Claire Fox Hands up if you have never had a running injury. WOW! You lucky buggers. There are not many of you though. Like many runners I’ve had the misfortune of a few injuries, more than some, less than others. Some were short and fleeting and others seemed to last a lifetime (yes the dreaded Plantar Fasciitis). Through various injuries (running and mountain biking) I have learnt a lot about my body, how it responds to training and stress load and how it recovers. As a result I’ve developed a few strategies to manage and minimise the impact of injuries.  Photo courtesy of Photos4Sale In this article we’re going to discuss two integral facets of sound performance and how these two impact on, and for many athletes are mistaken for, each other. We are talking about intensity and economy. Both of which can either make or break your race. One is developed in training and one is enhanced by discipline and fitness however is influenced by knowledge and effects race strategy. When we discuss the term ‘running economy’ we are referring to a mix of physiological and biomechanical factors that can positively or negatively influence energy utilisation when we run at a set speed or intensity.  Photo courtesy of Photos4Sale. The runners guide to lasting love (of running) Article by Rachael Kingstone Who loves running? Who loves running because it provides benefits including but not limited to endorphins, friends, connection with nature, fitness, weight loss, weight maintenance, muscles, bragging rights, adventure, travel, ability to coordinate spitting and running, improved motivation to get up in the morning, a longer healthier life, ability to run away from baddies, medals, ability to climb stairs at work without puffing...? This Valentine’s Day perhaps it the time to take a couple of minutes or a 1 hour 30 minute run in a park to consider your love of running. The purpose of the feast day of Saint Valentine is to celebrate love and affection. This love and affection will be applied to running, taking inspiration from the topical 14th of February Saint Valentine’s day however this article will remain off the topic of Saint Valentine, its history and also the commercialisation of the day (therefore this article will be interesting and not boring).  This was the first inkling that something was wrong. I thought I was turning my mountain bike. I was still heading straight on over the track. I wasn’t riding it anymore. I was flying through the air. I was on my way towards what plane crash investigators sometimes refer to as 'an uncontrolled contact with the ground'.
My elbow hit first. It skidded along the track. Then my hip and my knee did the same. My skin brought me to a halt. The stinging began. I watched the first beads of blood well up. And my first thought was, “I wonder if I will be alright for my run tomorrow”. This article was written by and published at Ian Corless: Photography, Writing, Podcast, Speaking, Reviewing & Running. If you enjoy the article, I suggest you check out the many valuable resources available on Ian Corless' website and of course the Talk Ultra podcast.
Navigation with a compass is not something that is difficult to grasp. In reality, it is as simple as 1,2,3. Trail Runner NZ Magazine Article As a coach, I value all my athlete interactions, as they are all meaningful. It is edifying to engage with people who are trying to create a new normal and put themselves through something that, regardless or the outcome, will be ultimately transformative. Taking that view, all my athlete’s successes are meaningful to me, however I feel comfortable saying that sometimes a performance will stick. One such performance is Hobart resident and former orienteering world champion Hanny Allston’s 3:34:50 course record setting run at the 2015 Six Foot Track Marathon.  Trail Runner NZ Magazine Article Within the last 18 months there have been some significant challenges to the environment that we as trail runners and people who enjoy other active pursuits have long considered our playground. Large swathes of the Waitakere Ranges have been closed by the Auckland Council after the mana whenua placed a rahui on the area in an attempt to combat Kauri Dieback. The Taupo IRONMAN 70.3 swim was cancelled in December 2017 due to water pollution, which in itself is shocking in a lake as ubiquitous as Taupo. As we head into another summer of spending a lot of time outdoors in wild spaces I’ve been thinking how athletes need to get active on conserving the spaces we play in. We need to be the Kaitiaki, or guardians, of our wild spaces, if we are to have any hope of continued use and enjoyment.  You’ve already spent a pretty penny on your bike, so why not squeeze every ounce of pure blissful joy out of it? Regular preventive mountain bike maintenance will keep your mountain bike rolling safely for longer. Doing your own bike maintenance also saves you labour costs, and proves an invaluable skill to have in your back pocket in case a mechanical threatens to ruin your ride. It's quite easy to maintain your own bike, and it can mean the difference between riding all day or walking home.  |
