Running Technique Group Class

The aim of the group is to help prevent injury, improve technique and efficiency while running. We therefore concentrate on exercises to promote this. 

In the first session if you would like to be filmed running to identify common running technique related issues then you are welcome to run the width of the Astro pitch / length of the gymnasium for group video analysis and during some of the progressive sessions we build more gentle runs in the confines of the pitch or gymnasium to practice the techniques we are working on. 

For those who want to run together or independently after the session with other like minded individuals the World (or Pitch Hill/Holmbury hill) is your oyster! However this is not in the remit of the group session and is up to individuals to take responsibility for their route and pace and any other decisions they need to make relating to their run appropriateness :) 

One of the common runners injury’s is often called ‘runners knee’. As a goal of the group it is to help optimise your individual biomechanical alignment using the anatomy markers as reference points such as the back hips pelvis knees feet and ankles. 

We focus on strength and stability and as an experienced Running Physiotherapist with years of practicing I also volunteer as a Triathlon coach and personally as a runner who suffered initially with knee pain while marathon training years ago I will support your understanding of how your body alignment from and in standing still impacts all of your running.  Injury Prevention is the goal for knees, backs, hips, feet and any other joint that moves while running. 

As regarding knees, postural alignment and mobility with stability is the essence of the initial sessions leading how to use your core stability muscles (around your lower stomach, lower back and pelvic floor) in conjunction with your balance both standing still on two legs and progressing to single leg and then dynamic standing balance. 

One of my most proud moments over the time I have run this technique group since 2019 in London and also similarly in the time here at Duke of Kent parents group, has been helping people who would self describe as ‘non-runners’, lacking in confidence due to the busyness of childcare, work and in some cases the pandemic or injury. 

Having the reassurance of learning from an experienced Running Physiotherapist that your exercise efforts will be the most efficient and that you will (most importantly!) enjoy running has helped bring people to confidence when following a ‘couch to 5k programme’ or to return to training  and knowing how to prevent further injury. 

This depends on how you are as a person! I sweat at the mere thought of exercise, so I can’t promise no sweating but it is NOT HIIT or Circuits or interval training or track.

Run training with a running coach or in a running group is a different entity but I can help with questions relating to training at all levels of run experience. 

As a physiotherapist normal movement education is the fundamental of our practice and as a Specialist in Rehabilitation Science I am proficient at working with high level athletes as well as those recovering from Injury or with little exercise experience. 

No; As the class is focused on Running technique, Injury Prevention and Efficiency while running we are definitely a running class but not a sports Club. 

In order to optimise the benefits of what I will share with you attending the class each week for six weeks will allow you to assimilate the information, practice the technique and build it into your exercise practice. 

Last years sessions started in January and some of the starting attendees were  still practicing technique and developing at the end of the summer term.  

I am very happy to keep repeating the sessions on rotation and joining mid way through the term won’t be the optimum experience for you but, I know some weeks can just be too busy to commit time so I always try to bring people up to speed as much as possible.

The exercises build in layers so can be progressed or regressed as needed.