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Athlete
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Back, Knee or Hip Pain? Check Posture.

Does your back, knees, IT band or piriformis give you pain when you run?
If so, you may be depressed you can’t run, or run easily. Right? Been there.
It’s time to get back in the game.
First, let’s check your form.
I learned how to eliminate running injuries and related misery with good form.
We learn how to run short and long distance. To do speed-work and hills. To hydrate. To eat well. To supplement. But form? That must be an ancient secret for the Olympians.
Tip of the day. Start with better posture.
Look in a mirror or have someone videotape you standing.
Great posture is the foundation. We instructors spend a lot of time on posture!
Get tall. Imagine you are being pulled up by the crown of your head by a little angel. Take a breath.
Get aligned. Align your shoulders, arms and feet parallel.
Get relaxed: Drop those shoulders if tense. 🙂
Level pelvis.  Engage lower, stabilizing abdominals.
Now get outside for a walk with this grand new posture.
Have someone videotape you so you can see how you move more smoothly.
Feel better?  Keep walking. Faster you go get arms up to a right angle.
When ready….begin an easy run this way by falling gently forward.
Tall, aligned, engaged and relaxed.
Let me know how you do!
More tips to follow….
Agree? Want to share your experience?
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VirtualAthlete, LLC offers services that include running form coaching, walking form coaching, 1:1 coaching, group sessions, and speaking engagements. Don't hesitate to contact Amy for more information.

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What people say...

“Amy! Just really quickly, we did about 4 miles this morning trying REALLY hard to keep it all together (and not sit!!!!! Elongate my spine! Look up!  Relax the shoulders! Check in with my feet! Belly button-spine! Don’t spill my Chi!  Knees down! don’t sit! Lean from ankles, not waist! Right elbow in! Don’t spill the water!).  The uphills were AMAZING!  What a difference the 45deg angle makes.  Breathing was better than ever.I have to say I felt like I was going sooooooo slow! But as it turns out, I wasn’t!   No problem with my hip and Pete felt good, too.  He BLAZED the first mile at 7:32!! So the stats are this:  My per-mile pace was 9:15 average (about 15 sec/mile faster than my last four runs).  Pete’s average was 8:20!   So briefly: THANK YOU!!!”

~ Donna, Mooresville, NC