Every spring, runners make the transition from either running on the lonely treadmill or running excruciatingly slow on slippery surfaces to running free, on clean, fast pavement.
Most of us are chomping at the bit to get back out on the roads and enjoy the great outdoors and rewards of running by the time spring rolls around.
Unfortunately, this is when most runners are prone to injury. For numerous reasons, runners tend to have a spike in injuries during the spring months.
In my opinion, most injuries occur due to sudden increases in training volumes. Couple the increase in volumes with the fact that none of us are getting any younger (in other words, our tissues are not able to handle the loads we once placed on them during long mileage runs) and we have higher risks of injuries.
Sudden increases in volume or attempting to maintain the duration of time you previously ran last fall (i.e.: that personal best half-marathon you ran in October) may not always be beneficial.
In fact, there is a large body of literature that suggests higher intensity over shorter distances is a more effective way of training.
The evidence suggests that interval training for shorter periods may provide greater performance gains than long, drawn-out, steady state endurance training bouts.
For runners, that means spending more time on repeats and hill runs rather than long runs.
It should be noted that any new training regime for runners should be slowly introduced. I recommend small city blocks for repeats, and hill training that requires no longer than 10 seconds of uphill running, as an introduction with no more than three to five repeats (which means very short, hard intensity, runs to start).
This prescription is simply anecdotal and runners should remember what works for one might not work for others.
When we look to the academic evidence for an interval training-based run program that involves scientific, clinical testing, we see the 10-20-30 protocol.
The study out of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, looked at moderately trained runners and running economy with adaptations to higher intensity, shorter duration interval running. The results of the study suggest a significant reduction in training volume while increasing intensity may improve running economy. The protocol is as follows:
– 7 week training program with three weekly sessions of 10-20-30 protocol, which is:
– One 1.5km warm-up at low intensity (below threshold using talk test = able to carry on a conversation easily).
– three to four sets of five minutes running followed by two minutes rest.
– five minutes running: 1 minute intervals divided into 10 seconds maximal intensity running, 20 seconds moderate intensity running, 30 seconds easy intensity running
It is worth noting that the runners in this study were moderately trained for running. If you feel you are not yet a moderately trained runner then perhaps using the anecdotal advice might be more beneficial. Either way, you are attempting to minimize the damage to tissues that comes with the repetitive strain associated with long distance running.
Another tip to take advantage of prior to hitting the long and winding road is improving tissue tolerance through strength training.
Certainly when I inquire with most weekend warriors and/or endurance athletes, especially those who are getting on in years, there is a lack of understanding with how and when to implement a strength training program.
There is a significant body of evidence that suggests those adults who make use of a strength training program, however, have greater running performance improvements compared to those who do not. A recent study found marathoners can improve running economy with the help of a 6-week maximal strength training program.
The training program was performed twice a week and the most significant gains were found in the group who performed lower amount of repetitions, combined with higher amounts of intensity.
In conclusion, the most effective way to put the spring into your stride is to incorporate interval training such as the 10-20-30 protocol and to prepare your tissues for the loads they will encounter by using a high intensity strength training program.
Now before I send you out onto the pavement or your local gym to throw the weights around, I caution you to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new training regime.
You also need to remember that most runners have the mindset that they are built for one thing…running. So when sudden changes in volumes of running occur without preparation (such as using the 10-20-30 protocol and a strength training program) then your risk of injury on the fresh spring roads are much higher.
The last thing any runner wants is to start the season off injured.
This column is submitted by Dr. Stephen Piper, Doctor of Chiropractic for the Optimum Integrative Health Centre in Fergus.
