Fit and Run.Info

At noon yesterday, I was at Runnr for one very important task: get my running gait analysis as they have a video gait analyzer and they do it for free. I’ve been advised by runner friends Max, Gifford and Marlon to go there and have it analyzed so that I will know what kind of pronator I am and correspondingly, what kind of shoes I should get.

Now some basics from the New Balance website:

What is the running gait?

The running gait is a unique set of actions and reactions that your foot performs while in motion to support, cushion, and balance your body.

What is pronation?

Pronation is simply a normal foot in motion, from foot-strike on the outside of the heel through the inward roll of the foot. Pronation occurs as the foot rolls from the outer edge to the inner edge. Everyone pronates, and the initial pronation is considered an important and healthy response to the intense amount of shock imposed upon the foot and is integral to propelling you forward. If the foot pronates too much or too little and does so frequently, several biomechanical problems may result that will cause a decrease in performance and increase the possibility of injury.

Having one’s running gait analyzed is important to reduce the possibility of injuries. At Runnr, its a treadmill equipped with a video camera at the back, a laptop at the side which the operator handles and a monitor infront. With bare feet, I ran for a few seconds and later, the attendant looked at the results. In slow motion, he pointed out that my right foot overpronates a little bit than my left but both, mildly. From the same site:

Overpronators generally land in a pronated position and continue to roll significantly inward as they go from heel strike to toe off…

Because of this, I was advised to look for running shoes for stability. Even if you don’t go to Runnr, both at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and Ayala Center in Cebu, you can actually check what kind of pronator you are. Just check the same New Balance website I’ve pointed out above. I did this and I can say that I do overpronate.

The advantage, however, of getting the high tech analysis is that the guesswork of being an overpronation (one needs a shoe for stability) and severe overpronation (one needs a shoe for motion control) or under pronate (one needs the shoe to be cushioned) or if one’s gate is normal (neutral) is eliminated.

Okay, I admit, despite the many plans of starting to run, I have to put it in the backburner as I got quite busy with travels and work right up to my neck. But it’s still there. Once I will finish some important tasks, I’ll hit the road.

For the meantime, there are great races coming up this month. Two of which, are the Condura Run 2010 – Run for the Dolphins, 7 February and the Century Superbods Run, 21 February. The latter is very much recommended by my runner friends because of the preparation as well as the only race that passes through the Skyway. The latter, is of course, have stellar attractions/celebrities that would make runners, both male and female want to run with.

Check the above links out and practice, practice and practice.

I used to go to the gym and climb mountains as well as do cardio. Unfortunately, for the past two years, life has been more on the easy and inactive side that I’m dealing with the consequences. My mountaineering club mates have been egging me to go with them in their climbs but I can’t just join them without preparation. Seriously, I want to get active again and for me, running would be the answer. To develop endurance. To keep fit and be healthy.

The sport, judging from friends, online updates as well as news, is having a resurgence. It is popular as ever that there’s even a store dedicated to it here in the country. Lots of races monthly and even former colleagues from the company I was working for before even organized a running club. There’s an active community for it that will be a great help in motivating starters on keeping to hit the road.

I’m no stranger to running. During college, my boardmate, Angel, ran. While I wasn’t fully into it, I’ve always recognized its benefits. And so, this start of the year, I’ve pledged that before 2010 ends, I will already be able to join a race. I want to start running. Properly. Be serious with it and hopefully, get fit.