Balance Performance #Running Clinic info: http://bit.ly/cp1Oe5 our expertise goes beyond high quality rehab and the Alter-G, we do PBs too!

We have long catered for runners – from novice marathoners to elite and professional runners – but we have refocussed some of our existing services and changed the structure some to better cater for a runners requirements. Early feedback is very positive.

We hope London’s runners, triathletes and recreational marathoners will see that Balance is a place to get expert advice on getting personal bests not just high quality rehabilitation.

Click here for the Running Clinic page

BBC Science Reporter Victoria Gill’s article is linked to below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8483401.stm

It describes research that came to the obvious conclusion that if you give a human the chance to take the path of least resistance they will take it, even if the consequences are a down turn in long term efficiency. Well thats my interpretation, but to be true to the article here is the opening paragraph:

Wearing cushioned running shoes may have changed the way in which many of us run, new research suggests.

Using slow-motion footage, scientists have discovered that experienced barefoot runners land very differently from runners who wear shoes.

The researchers showed that runners who have trained barefoot tend to strike the ground with their forefoot or mid-foot, rather than their heel.

At Balance we often talk about taking a long term perspective and discourage our clients from looking for the short term quick fix  (whether to be pain free without concern for recurrence, getting fit, getting strong, losing weight, making money etc) but as with all aspects of life its a lot more complicated when you think it through. So once you have read this article dont throw your trainers in the bin and hit Battersea Park for a barefoot 10k using the pose running technique – at least not straight away. There are several more possibilities avaialable to you.

Have a read and if you’d like to share your opinion or ask ours  get in contact with one of the team Paula (author of Running Repairs ), Mick Habgood (podiatrist and running orthotic specialist), Raph (an experienced physio in international athletics and many a “minimal shoe” runner), Frances (triathlon specialist and G-trainer expert) or Sian (currently researching MBT footwear at clinics across London). You can also contact Jonathan (the blog writer) who will happily discuss evolution, sociology, the weakening of human kind and how to prevent it! Send an email by clicking this highlighted link: Contact Page

Mick and Paula will be adding their comments here soon.

Updated news piece on main site:  http://bit.ly/cxTTQj

Mick and Graham "working" and forging links in Chamonix

Just read a well balanced article from the New York Times on self-massage products. The journalist has consulted a number of sources including sports massage consumers, foam roller users, a triathlon coach, an Ironman triathlete and chiropractor, author of “Self-Massage for Athletes” Rich Poley, and the founder and creator of Trigger Point Performance Therapy products Cassidy Phillips.

The article is based around the following: “Devices for self-massage have become more common as more people compete in endurance sports and, more recently, as the recession has made professional rubdowns look prohibitively expensive. Trainers usually recommend a massage every week or every other week for people who are training for a marathon or triathlon, but the costs do add up: according to the American Massage Therapy Association, the average price of a massage is $63 an hour.”

The article’s quote from TPT founder Cassidy Phillips puts self massage and going to see a professional masseur in the context of oral hygiene. “You brush away some plaque yourself,” he said, “but you still go to the dentist for a thorough cleaning.”

Here’s the article:  http://bit.ly/8lUYu2
click for the Self-massage and Trigger Point range from Balance.

Ultimate 6 package - part of Balance's range of self-massage products

Saturday 19th December – 10am til 1pm

The World Record Club is looking for members to run their fastest miles on the G-trainer treadmill.

There are several categories to challenge yourself within:

• Mens 85% bodyweight
• Womens 85% bodyweight
• Mens 75% bodyweight
• Womens 85%
• plus Mens and Womens Masters Categories

If you havent run on this revolutionary piece of technology you can have a try out for free with us on Saturday and then if you are up for it take the challenge.

Its very simple…zip in, we’ll start it up, you run…fast…you say faster (you can say slower too of course!!)

• Discounts for G-trainer running sessions of 50% which means£12.50 for 30 minutes or £17.50 for 60 minutes

Apart from being healthy competition the benefits to running speed and overall performance are significant.

Thats why Manchester United bought one in the same week that Balance did.

There have been new year resolutions set early within the Balance team.

Two members of the Balance sports injury team – Frances Lynn and Paula Coates, have recently started their base training for individual endeavours in 2010.
With professional support from Pat Leahey at Provo2 (www.provo2.com) both girls have undergone metabolic testing and cycling power testing to tailor their individual training needs. Paula and Fran will be regularly updating this blog to keep you up to speed with their progresses.

Fran, one of our triathlon and cycling specialist physios, has entered an Ironman distance triathlon in Roth, Germany in July 2010. This has been voted in the top 10 best Triathlons in the world by 220 magazine. It is sadly now fully entered, but for more info on the race see www.challenge-roth.com.

Paula will be travelling further afield to the beautiful landscape of Cape Town, South Africa to compete in the Cape Argus Pick n Pay cycle tour. The 109km race claims to be the largest timed cycle race in the world. This can still be entered, for details see www.cycletour.co.za

Sunday 8th November, Fran says:

“Sorry for the delay in updating my progress, but I have been busy…training!  I am well into my 16-week base training plan that Pat has planned for me using the results of my metabolic tests done in September.  It is going well but has taken a lot of juggling to get most of my sessions in.  I find using my heart rate monitor really useful.  It makes me realise the mistakes I made in the past when training for my Olympic distance tri’s and even when I used to row.   The intensity of my sessions are much lower now, and as a result I am less tired following a session and experience fewer cravings or sugar lows throughout the day.

I am most pleased with my cycling training.  I am now up to 4hrs on my long ride, with a 1hour power interval session, and a 2 and half hour recovery ride.   I have had my road bike set up expertly done by Julian @ CYCLEFIT.  After some adjustments and a need to reduce my handlebar reach I have also invested in some new cycling shoes that I can fit my orthotics into (have a dodgy left big toe), they are great and make such a difference to my ongoing left pelvic pain I have had since pregnancy.  I have also supplemented my strength training with the help of CJ, and I have now started an intial 4 week kettlebell strengthening phase.

Part of my motivation for doing an Ironman triathlon next year is to give me a focus for my training and fitness.  I found it hard to routinely make time for myself after having my son 13 months ago, I felt weak, overweight (7kg and 5% bodyfat overweight at the 12 month mark) and lacking energy.  I now feel that I have a great structure of work, family, friends and training that is really coming together.  I am doing much more physical activity than 3 months ago, but week by week I am definitely feeling more vibrant and alert and importantly to me, stronger.  I will get my metabolic tests, cycle power tests and body statistics updated at the end of the month, and I am confident that I will have lost body fat and hopefully my VO2 max will have improved as well.  My running speed has certainly improved.  My mile PB at 75% bodyweight on the G-trainer has dropped from 5min23sec to 5min 11sec, I am gunning for the 5minute barrier at the next WRC Mile Challenge meet on 21st November.

Please let me know if there are other mum’s out there with sporting challenges for next year, whether its triathlon, marathon or anything that is a challenge to you.  Myself and the Balance team would love to hear about all of your plans.  Happy training!  Fran”

Wednesday 9th December, Fran says:

‘ I have my re-test tomorrow with Pat Leahey for my running VO2 max… a little nervous, I think my VO2 max will be better because I feel so much fitter than I did 3 months ago.  I don’t think I will have met my weight loss target of 7kg though, but have definitely lost some weight and feel stronger.  I have been carrying an injury for the past 3 weeks, because it has been my neck it has limited me in pretty much all 3 disciplines.  Have been working on core and flexibility but little else.  Back running and cycling this week a little edgy, but feels good to get the endorphines flowing again.  Lets see how it goes in the morning….’

This a video I found on the Running Competitor website posted by a company promoting the G-trainer for weight loss and elite running performance. Forze like to say “Get Lean, Run Faster!”. Well produced piece of video and a nice explanation of how the G-trainer treadmill works.

Enjoy…

orthotics and improved mechanics allow for more intense training and preparation for running

I read this blog yesterday whilst searching to see who else was talking about the G-trainer and marathon training. I came across this Addicted to Running Blog:

One pointless podiatrist appointment then another more fruitful one!

If you’ve been reading this blog for some time you’ll know that I’ve been wearing custom made orthotics for pretty much the whole of the year. Last week I went to see a new podiatrist as I’ve still been getting a really bad blister on the arch of my left foot. This time I decided to see a podiatrist at a running track in Ashford, as I figured that I would get the best service and advice as a runner from someone based at a running track. This was a mistake!

http://addictedtorunning.co.uk/running-running-orthotics/one-pointless-podiatrist-appointment-then-another-more-fruitful-one#more-166

I thought it was a great post, we know it is often a frustrating path that is followed following an injury or episode of pain, even if you have a good team of professionals to work with.

Clients need to be upfront and forthcoming with the therapist they are working with to get the most out of the experience and make an optimal recovery. If your professional is not fully aware of your feelings it is difficult to make the subtle adjustments that may be needed or renew your confidence and focus. It may just require simple modifications or an explanation of the process to take you from frustrated to progressing.

I believe that guiding injury recovery is as much an artful process as it is an exercise in evidence based science so feedback, both good and bad is essential.

As for the podiatry (the subject of the original blog) it has made a massive difference to us that Mick came in and demanded a grinder to make adjustments to the orthotics he produces (eliminates the frustrating waiting times).

Despite the tube strike the planned lecture as part of Balance’s CPD Evening Lecture series organised by Raph Rinaldi will continue:

Pat testing a client at his London facility

Dr Simon Shepard, Team Physiotherapist of CCC Middlesex and CEO of Optima Life will present his research and clinical experience on different methods of monitoring recovery patterns according to various level of activity. This could turn particularly helpful to physiotherapists, for example, when it’s time to increase rehabilitation workload and /or add specific sessions to pre-existing training programmes.

Pat Leahy, Owner, founder and high performance coach of ProVo2 will also present his own toughts on how to design an effective training programme aimed at maintaining aerobic fitness in injured athletes, or to improve aerobic capacity in most sport disciplines or to optimise own metabolism by adopting clever forms of exercise. This will break many myths related to aerobic exercise and provide a practical guidance when it comes to advise our clients in a practical and effective manner. A practical demonstration of metabolic testing will follow by carrying out a VO2max analysis on site. Any volunteers obviously welcome.

Raph says: “As all of you are aware of the tube strike kicking of tonight I would like to confirm that our Lecture will take place regularly. I remind you that you can use your oyster card to travel by train to Clapham Junction or Clapham High Street; there is also a taxi share options so you can organise yourself. I’ve got few places in my car as am driving Simon Shepard home in North London after the lecture. Hope it helps. Raph”

Although Asics are not the only running shoes we recommend we do stock a range of Asics running shoes for men and women because they are a company that puts design before fashion and we tend to find that a large percentage of our client’s biomechanics suit Asics trainers. Mick Habgood the running specialist podiatrist at Balance has his own recommended shoe list that he and the team use when the time comes to address having the right equipment in a good state of repair. We are exploring ways in which ALL of our clients can get hold of the shoes on the list quickly and easily in the right size!

Great video below on the evolution of Asics…