Running Archives - Page 36 of 37 - Baudry Therapy Center

Experience Crescent City Classic

By Rich Baudry PT, DPT, OCS

There is a lot of buzz about Crescent City Classic this week. The famous annual race is held the Saturday before Easter Sunday. People come from far and wide to participate in this great event for many reasons: in honor of a loved one, to run their first race, or just another excuse to have a great time New Orleans style…you name the reason, that’s why people participate in the Crescent City Classic!

I look at the Crescent City Classic as a time to celebrate. I enjoy running with friends and family. We celebrate our ability to run and enjoy each others company along the way. It’s great to get out there and enjoy exercising with 1,000’s of fellow New Orleans natives.

Race prep starts a day or two before the event with some hydration; I drink plenty of water the day before and day of the race. I try to eat balanced meals with fruits and vegetables. I make plans with friends for driving, pickups, etc. The day of the event I have a light breakfast, make sure my socks are on and shoes laced up right…now I’m race bound and ready to experience the Crescent City Classic!

The “cattle” are herded into position. There is a light buzz of chatter and excitement at the starting line.

As the race begins you try not to trip over someone, or their cooler, while bouncing off other runners and having a great time. You try very hard to stay with your friends, getting distracted by fun costumes at times. I love it! Easing into the run, reaching a steady pace. I don’t try to race as there is not much of a point to that. If you are competing for time, you should run somewhere else as this race is for you to enjoy all of the hard work you’ve put in training day-in and day-out. So, there is really no pressure to perform and you really don’t even think about running. You’re enjoying the people around you, the music from the sidelines, and the many sights of runners in costume. You see short and tall, skinny and not so skinny but mostly you see enjoyment. Crescent City Classic is a race for everyone.

Crescent City Classic after party makes the day’s event even more fun by providing a festival type atmosphere. Jambalaya, cold beer and live music. It’s awesome!!! Everyone has that euphoric post run feeling. The crowd is full of energy, relaxed, and living in the moment. For a short time, there are no thoughts of the stress of work and responsibilities that need to get done.

That’s what I like about the Crescent City Classic. I hope you come out this year to join us and enjoy this classic event.

What’s your favorite Crescent City Classic experience?

How can strength training make you fast? Stride Length

By Tim Allerton MS, CPT, EP

Strength training and endurance training appear to be on the opposite ends of the fitness spectrum. Both have the purpose of causing a physical adaptation. Endurance training forces the body to increase its oxygen transporting ability to allow for longer bouts of running, for example. Strength training improves the body’s ability to produce force. Men and women that are looking to improve their running performance should to look to strength training as a way of improving their performance without increasing their mileage.

Running speed is a product of stride length and stride frequency. During the course of an endurance event there are several factors that can limit one’s performance. However, all of those factors ultimately contribute to a reduction in the length and frequency of running stride. According to the research there is a gradual decline in the length of the stride in distance runners as the event progresses. This is due to the fatigued muscles inability to continuously contract and propel the body.

The University of Madrid conducted a study of 18 well-trained distance runners. The study randomly assigned the athletes to a strength training group or a control group. The results of the study demonstrated that a progressive strength training program attenuates the loss of stride length during endurance events. The researchers believed that the loss of muscle power at the latter stages of an endurance event contributed to the reduction in stride length. The group of runners that completed strength training was able to maintain their stride length for longer durations throughout the event. (Esteve-Lano, 2008)

Strength training for the endurance athlete should target the muscles specific to running. These are the muscles of your lower body such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and buttocks. However, the abdomen, shoulders, and arms are important in running as well. Neglecting those muscles could ultimately limit performance. Running is a dynamic movement that requires the coordination of different body parts (kinetic chain). If one particular muscle group is much weaker than the others it creates a weak link in the kinetic chain. With this knowledge it is apparent that a strength training program for the endurance athlete should involve the whole body.

Category: Running

Experience Crescent City Classic

How can strength training make you fast? Stride Length

Visit our Metairie Clinic

Visit our Harahan Clinic

EXPLORE

I WANT TO

HOURS

PROUDLY SERVING: