Running like a tin man!

[Karenlwarner73]

Week 8 Run 3

Struggling at the moment with stiffness whilst running. I know it's a technique thing but I have very straight/stiffed legged and very stiff back and shoulders

Any advice on how to loosen up?

Positive thing - no loos stop today - boom!!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Well done again... good news about the loos!

Are you doing the post run stretches? Maybe some yoga on rest days?

Enjoy week 9... your victory lap!

[Karenlwarner73 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Yeah - not good at stretching - point taken!!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Karenlwarner73]

Shoulders can be helped with YTW exercise and it’s low impact... standing version is fine, there’s videos online.

Planking can help lower back and core too.

I am getting better at doing the stretches but I was hopeless at doing them for a while!

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Might also be worth thinking about your posture when you run , and in particular keeping your shoulders down and relaxed (up an inch, back an inch then down an inch), and your chest and chin lifted. Arms shouldn't cross your body, but stay parallel to each other with forearms parallel to the floor, and don't clench your hands, just keep them loose. Hope that all makes sense, these are things that were all pointed out to me, I'm a terrible shoulder huncher and its still something I have to think about when I run.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done.

Being relaxed is essential, but to be relaxed without falling into a quivering jelly, you need good posture and good core strength.

Stretch after every run, do core strengthening exercises and make sure you are not tense when running.

This guide to posture nyrr.org/youth-and-schools/... is linked to from the guide to the plan, which has a lot of basic advice.