Short episode summary

In this episode, coaches Caroline and Valerie discuss the common mental challenge most runners face of tensing up when running.

Timestamps of big takeaways

Overcoming the Mental Challenges of Running

[00:22] Coach Caroline shares a story about a student tensing up her shoulders when she runs, and Coach Valerie offers some advice.

Relaxing Shoulders and Unweighting for Running

[01:51] Getting so focused on your feet can lead to tensing up. When running, you need to lift your upper body up and unweight yourself. It makes your feet lighter and you are able to run with less tension.

Unweighting for Improved Running Performance

[03:04] When you start implementing the proper standard of movement, it impacts your balance, your posture, and how you stand. Your job is to connect with the movement of your body rather than thinking about how to relax your shoulders. So think light. Think up. Don’t think so hard about whether or not you are “doing it right.”

Taking Little Steps to Feel Light and Effortless

[08:52] As with anything, you won’t improve overnight. It will take baby steps to get in the habit of thinking “light” and thinking “up.” But with time, it will come. While running isn’t easy, it can be much less effort and you can get better at it.

Reconnect with Your Running

[10:30] Reconnect with your running. Get out of your head. Let go of these external things and work on just two things - What do I feel? and How can I feel better?

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