Never Walk.
UCSF’s RunSafe Running Clinic - Becoming a better Runner
Intrigued by an article in a recent issue of Runners World about the RunSafe Running Clinic at the University of California San Francisco I went ahead and put my name down for the $200 2-hour program. The program is so popular that you inevitably end up being on a waiting list - about 8 weeks after I signed up, I got my appointment.
What it is all about
The RunSafe program is a rather complete assessment of you as a runner - four specialists assess your running form on a treadmill with high-speed video analysis; analyze your feet and the wear-pattern of your running shoes; do a head-to-toe physiotherapy session to gain insights into your flexibility and strength and lastly spend time with you talking about your nutrition. At the end of the assessment the four specialists get together and discuss the individual results to gain a complete picture of your running form and specific issues which they then discuss with you in a group session.
My experience with RunSafe
It was a great experience and I learned quite a lot about my running - giving me valuable insights which not only will make me a better runner but also have the potential to avoid injuries down the road. For reference I have included both the specific training plan I received after my assessment (note that this is tailored to me - so don’t blindly follow it) and the video material from my video analysis:
Some interesting points to note in the video: I still heel strike pretty badly (something I want to fix in 2011); my hipflexors and quads are somewhat tight which prevents me from properly swinging my leg back (which results in a reduced range of motion - also something I need to fix in 2011) and lastly you can see that my left hip drops a bit (which is connected to my hipflexor tightness).
You should do it too
If you’re intrigued and live somewhere close to San Francisco - sign up for the program, it will give you the tools to become a better runner!
