runner

The foot 1

I’ve seen an increase in foot pain, self diagnosed plantar fasciitis, poor trainer choice (in my opinion) and heard a lot about how people are changing their running style because they’ve heard off the neighbour’s cat about barefoot running etc etc so before people get carried away, I’m going to put a few posts out about how the foot works, what can help or prevent it working and stuff I might think of on the way. I’ll break them down and put a post out each day so you can take it in easier.
This is all Read More…

Ray Wilson

Some time ago my doctor diagnosed me with diabetes and told me to get more exercise, at the time I didn’t run or play any sports but I would walk often and was not afraid to exercise. So I took up running and most mornings before work I would go for a run all by myself. Approximately 6 months later I could manage 2 miles but still very slow and no matter how hard I tried I just couldn’t seem to improve. Then I joined Stoke FIT and amazingly within 4 weeks I could run 6 miles and at a much faster pace. Read More…

Protein

Protein is the building block of life.  It helps to build muscle and tendons, repair the muscles in need of it and regulate hormones. Meats, white fish, shellfish, eggs, beans and nuts are common examples of foods that contain significant amounts of protein.

It is probably a safe bet, to say Read More…

Gaze out from the mirror, don’t stare into it.

If you do your research, read 100 books, search 1000 websites, speak to 1,000,000 runners, the theme will be common:that running is a lonely sport, that its the most popular solo sports event since the dawn of time.

What a load of tripe. It is the biggest team event in the world.  Where else do you see 55,000 people tie their laces and all run in the same direction with the same goal? Read More…

Who trains the trainers?

UntitledOn Tuesday,  I was invited along to Staffordshire University to take part in some tests called V02 MAX tests.  The test was part physiological, and part psychological – to see if our body’s physiology and mental ability to cope under the stress of high intensity running was helped out by listening to music.  This week I did the test without music.  Next week it will swap over!

The test involved me warming up on a treadmill, and then being linked up to heart rate monitors and oxygen supplies.  I was then started off on the treadmill and the speed was increased by 1 kph every 30 seconds.  Every time the speed was increased, I was asked to point to a number on a chart (a Borg scale) that was relevant to how I was feeling, with 1 being no exertion, and 20 being completely exhausted. Read More…

Cramps & spasms

Cramps & spasms

Muscles cramps occur when a muscle suddenly goes very short and tense and you feel a sharp painful pulling sensation. Cramps often happen when a muscle is tired from physical activity. However muscles can cramp if the body is lacking certain Read More…

Bruises & haematomas

Bruises or haematomas occur when a blow to the body causes bleeding from damaged blood vessels underneath the skin. Usually we refer to more serious bruises as haematomas or contusions. These severe bruises occur deep in a muscle. When the blood is trapped within a muscle, haematomas can Read More…

Sprains & ligament tears

Sprains are damage caused to the ligaments that support a joint. When a force places stress on a joint there can be damage to the ligaments that surround it. The ligaments can tear or be stretched. Ankle sprains (twisted ankles), knee sprains (twisted knees) and finger sprains are Read More…

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