Welcome back to All Things Running wtih Sonja & Jen. Today Sonja is going to discuss strides. It is important to understand the purpose.

DO YOU DO STRIDES?

If you want to get faster or just have more fun with your running, you should add these into your weekly training!

WHY?

✅IMPROVE CADENCE & DECREASE RISK OF INJURY: Strides can help increase cadence to help you become more efficient and decrease risk of injury.

✅PREP THE LEGS BEFORE A RACE OR WORKOUT: Strides help wake up the legs after an easy run for more advanced speed workouts to come later in the week or before a race. Strides will allow your legs to be ready to dive into a faster paces in the workout or race.

✅HELP IMPROVE RUNNING FORM: By running at top speeds, your body is forced to run with its most efficient form. You will teach your body how to run on your toes/forefoot by improving the brain to muscle (neuromuscular) connections.

✅LEARN PACING: Strides prepare your body to learn how to ‘change gears’: Incorporating strides early on in your running career can teach your body the different ‘gears’ you have.

HOW?

✅Do after an easy run or after a warm up or before a hard workout or race.

✅4-6 reps of 10-30 seconds HARD

✅Take a full recovery between each of either standing or light jogging.

REMEMBER:

✅We are NOT trying to make this a taxing workout! These should not leave you feeling fatigued afterwards.

✅Don’t worry too much about pace. It’s more about effort. Staring down at your watching during strides will defeat the purpose because you aren’t using optimal form then.