Tilda Taking Charge

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I have heard so much about Backward Running, but I’m not even sure what
it is and if it is fact or fiction?
JOSHUA, MIDRAND

ANSWER

Backward Running has
numerous benefits, which include burning one third more calories than forward
running. It also develops better balance and stamina, works the quadriceps
muscles more than forward running, improves flexibility and reduces the risk of
injuries to the patello-femoral joint. Other benefits include improved leg
speed and better performance, improved posture, as well as your enhanced senses.
Also, you can still run while you are injured. It’s also stated that the volume
of muscle active per unit of force applied to the ground is 10% greater when
running backwards than forwards.

 

Normal forward running
contracts your quadricep and hamstring muscles mainly concentrically (muscles
shorten during the contraction for force-production phase of running) and
eccentrically (muscles elongate for muscle recovery phase) at specific points
in your stride. In contrast, backward running works your muscles concentrically
in the recovery phase and mainly eccentrically in the force-production phase at
opposite points of your strides. Eccentric contractions cause more muscle
damage and need a longer time period for recovery, but increase the muscle mass
and strength. The benefit of training eccentrically is that when you go back to
the conventional forward running, your stability will be improved because of
the muscles being trained in the opposite way.

 

A study at the University of Stellenbosch showed that backward running
actually improves your cardiovascular fitness. Backward runners were found to
have significantly decreased their oxygen consumption, therefore improving
aerobically and losing 2.5% body fat.

 

However, be warned, there
are also some dangers involved in backward running, the most obvious being that
you can’t see anything in your path. Turning your head around will reduce the
chances of falling or losing your balance, but could lead to running much
slower as well as risk neck strains. But taking all things into consideration,
my final verdict is that it is more fact than fiction!

Modern Athlete Expert

ANDRIES LODDER

 

70.3 is done. What now?

I’ve
just completed my very first Half Ironman 70.3. It was such a great event, but
what now? Do I keep on training, and if so, what should I focus on? And when is
it advisable to make the transition to full Ironman? – JESSICA, ESTCOURT

 

ANSWER

Congratulations on finishing a very tough event! If
you are new to triathlon, then I would certainly wait until next year before
tackling the full Ironman. It can and has been done, but is not advisable.
Rather become a more accomplished triathlete at the shorter distances before
moving up. The triathlon calendar for the next few months includes a number of
Standard Olympic as well as Half Ironman distance events. Go to www.triathlonsa.co.za for
details of upcoming events.

 

I would resume training after about a week to 10 days
of rest or easy training, and aim to do a standard triathlon in February and
perhaps then a Half Ironman race in March. I am not sure what training you did
for 70.3, but my suggestions would be to do six to nine sessions per week (two to
three of each sport):

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Run: One long run, one medium run
and one faster run.

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Bike: One long ride, one tempo/time
trial session and one easy spin.

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Swim: One or two pool sessions, plus
an open water swim.

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Don’t forget to include a ‘brick’
bike/run session every 10 to 14 days!

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Lastly, have fun!

 

Modern Athlete Expert

DERICK MARCISZ

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