KAR Running Mechanics Workshop

      Good running mechanics are the secret to staying injury free and running faster.  Great running mechanics is why Jane Hedengren and Grant Fisher are faster than the rest of the world and stay injury free.  During the KAR Running Workshop we will conduct a functional movement evaluation to identify problematic running mechanics, create individualized reports of mechanical problems, teach curative mobility and strength exercises, and teach how to turn good mechanics into faster running and reduced soreness.

Features Of Workshop

1. Functional movement evaluation of each runner by True-2-Form (Dr. Jon Deming)
2. Individualized summary report of evaluations with personalized feedback back by True-2-Form (Dr. Deming)
3. Mobility, strength, and skill exercises led by Coach Mike Straubel
4. Healthy running and training education sessions led by True-2-Form (Dr. Deming)
5. Education and training to build upon good mechanics to improve running efficiency and speed led by Coach Straubel
6. Skill practice and critique sessions (as facility availability permits) led by Coach Straubel

Benefits of Workshop

1. Injury Prevention

             Running injuries occur when important muscles grow weak or stop working, when key joints lose their range of motion, when soft tissue (muscles and tendons) lose their flexibility, and when poor running form increases the stress of running.  A functional movement evaluation will identify those problems and mobility, strength, and skill exercises will help fix the problems.

    2.  Run More Comfortably and Recover Quicker

            With each stride, a runner’s body experiences up to 2 1/2 times body weight forces upon foot plant.  Good running mechanics spreads this impact force throughout the body evenly.  Poor running mechanics puts greater stress on often weakened body parts (knees, backs) and increases the energy requirements to run.

     3.  Run More Efficiently and Faster

             The runner with the longest, quick, stride will win.  A 20:00 minute 5k runner who increases their average stride length by just 2 1/2 inches will become a 19:08 runner.  Longer, quick, strides come from the production of elastic recoil energy.  A runner needs good joint range of motion, hip and torso stability, and good foot function to increase elastic recoil (stride length).  Good running mechanics is the key to creating more elastic energy.

Workshop Leaders

      Dr. Jon Deming

          Founder/Owner of True-2-Form

          Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, CPSS

      Mike Straubel

          Head Cross Country and Distance Coach, Valparaiso University for 35 years

          Coached numerous D1 All Conference Team Members, and All Americans.

Time and Location

      The workshop will be Tuesday evenings, January 6 through February 24, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Community Education Center (Old Kalamazoo Central building), 714 South Westnedge, room 244, South Gym (enter by outside stairs of the parking lot at the back of the building).  The first Tuesday, January 6, we will meet at True-2-Form, 12849 US-131, Schoolcraft, MI, for the functional movement evaluations.

Why 

      When coaching, I was always looking for ways to keep my runners healthy and to give them the form (mechanics) of the fast people we ran against.  It was always true that the fastest people had the best mechanics (they also stayed healthy and thereby got consistent training).  I was able to find movement and strength exercises that helped them, but it was always hard to precisely identify which mechanical problems they had and which drills would work best for each of them.  We did the exercises prophylactically.

       This program, with True-2-Forms expertise at diagnosing mechanical problems, is just what I was looking for.  It is what would have helped my team and what will help every runner.  This workshop will help all kinds of runners: aging runners fighting time, young runners looking to perfect good form, and runners looking to fix chronic problems and enjoy running more.

Registration Limited

        Because of space limitations, registration is limited to 30.