Train Like a Pro A local club

	Train Like a Pro A local club's stride clinic gives runners all the tools By Jim Hage I didn't start running yesterday, so I was skeptical about having my running style dissected and analyzed, even by a group of recognized experts. But ever the intrepid reporter, I hopped onto the treadmill at the MCRRC's stride clinic recently for an evaluation. The coaches noted my idiosyncratic and inefficient running style, how I bounce too high, don't use my arms enough and have an odd posture, Yeah, so does Michael Johnson. Not that the coaches weren't correct, but there just isn't much an experienced runner like me can do about poor form, Podiatrist Adam Spector was impressive and comforting in his analysis of feet even my mother doesn't love, Spector believes that if something isn't broken, don't fix it via cast or surgery-a philosophy with which I am in full accord. Rest, ice and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories are his reasoned response to most maladies, with more drastic measures only as a last resort. Physical therapist Rachel Miller was particularly impressive in both diagnosing problems and offering workable solutions. For several months I had suffered knee pain. Like the hypochondriac convinced a persistent headache is really a brain tumor, I was sure I had chronic arthritis that would soon enough be the death to my running. Miller measured my legs, and finding no discrepancy, started poking my joints with knowing fingers. When I yelped a few times, Miller zeroed in on the real problem and dismissed my self-diagnosis. "This doesn't seem to be chondromalacia," Miller said. "But you're tender at the iliotibial band connection." Prodding on my good knee seemed to confirm the diagnosis. Miller offered a variety of simple stretches to alleviate the tightness, and the impending doom of debilitating arthritis receded beyond my horizon.-J.H.
STRIDE CLINIC W hat do professional runners have that everyday runners don't? Besides the speed factor, many professional runners have access to perks that the average runner can only dream about: a personal coach, physical therapists, videotaped workouts and more. Think you'll never enjoy any of these training benefits? Think again. The Montgomery County Road Runners Club, one of the largest running clubs in the nation, holds a monthly stride clinic in Rockville, where participants get all the perks listed above. Best of all, the clinic is free for members; others can join the club for a small fee. "We get new club members all the time who just want to be evaluated," said Carol Lavrich, clinic coordinator. "It's a good deal." And that's just the beginning. Let's Go to the Videotape The MCRRC started this unique program a few years ago. Now, the approximately 10 subject runners in the stride clinic first fill out a form chronicling their running history, Then, it's on to the first station and the treadmill, where certified coaches Vasili Triantos and Mike Broderick provide evaluations of running form, including posture, cadence, bounce, arm carriage and stride length. "We provide a lot of critiques and recommendations to increase efficiency," Broderick says, "but most people don't believe it until they see it for themselves." That's where the videotape comes in. The treadmill session is recorded, and each participant takes home the only video guaranteed to make houseguests beg to watch highlights of that trip to Orlando. For the runner, of course, the videotape necessitates repeated viewing. Among the coaches' extensive comments are more than a few criticisms. Most runners, Broderick acknowledges, find it difficult to change their running style. "Still, the information can make you aware of where your inefficiencies lie," he says. This is a collaborative effort." Onto the Table At the next station podiatrist Adam Spector takes a good look at he pernicious effects of the polyurethane meeting the road. The good doctor thrives on everything from blisters to bunions, from sesamoiditis to plantar fasciitis. "Look at this foot," Spector says, pointing like Sherlock Holmes to a particular gnarly peduncle. "The swelling ere shows evidence of metatarsalgia, which is consistent with what the coaches saw on the treadmill. This forces [the runner] to compensate by treading softly on this side, which will cause more problems if untreated." Physical therapist Rachel Miller, up next, pokes and prods her subjects to determine points of strength and weakness. Miller consults with the other experts and asks the runners questions about individual training habits. Massage therapist Steve Hefferon works out the kinks, both at the clinic and often at the track after club workouts. Hefferon is the director of the National Capital Area Sports Massage Team and cofounder of the National Institute for Human Performance. What Does It All Mean? With a video, personalized attention and a fairly voluminous report when they are finished, the subjects can feel more like a laboratory rat than an athlete. "It's true that sometimes we can get too detailed and provide too much information that can be confusing," Triantos said. "But we like to think of the clinic as a first step in the process." Which is how the various professionals can afford to offer their services gratis: clinic referrals from subjects impressed with the service make for good business, and most are suitably impressed. For more information, see www.mcrrc.org and click on Stride Clinic.

Train Like a Pro

A local club's stride clinic gives runners all the tools By Jim Hage

I didn't start running yesterday, so I was skeptical about having my running style dissected and analyzed, even by a group of recognized experts. But ever the intrepid reporter, I hopped onto the treadmill at the MCRRC's stride clinic recently for an evaluation.

The coaches noted my idiosyncratic and inefficient running style, how I bounce too high, don't use my arms enough and have an odd posture, Yeah, so does Michael Johnson. Not that the coaches weren't correct, but there just isn't much an experienced runner like me can do about poor form,

Podiatrist Adam Spector was impressive and comforting in his analysis of feet even my mother doesn't love, Spector believes that if something isn't broken, don't fix it via cast or surgery-a philosophy with which I am in full accord. Rest, ice and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories are his reasoned response to most maladies, with more drastic measures only as a last resort.

Physical therapist Rachel Miller was particularly impressive in both diagnosing problems and offering workable solutions. For several months I had suffered knee pain. Like the hypochondriac convinced a persistent headache is really a brain tumor, I was sure I had chronic arthritis that would soon enough be the death to my running.

Miller measured my legs, and finding no discrepancy, started poking my joints with knowing fingers. When I yelped a few times, Miller zeroed in on the real problem and dismissed my self-diagnosis. "This doesn't seem to be chondromalacia," Miller said. "But you're tender at the iliotibial band connection."

Prodding on my good knee seemed to confirm the diagnosis. Miller offered a variety of simple stretches to alleviate the tightness, and the impending doom of debilitating arthritis receded beyond my horizon.-J.H.

STRIDE CLINIC

W hat do professional runners have that everyday runners don't? Besides the speed factor, many professional runners have access to perks that the average runner can only dream about: a personal coach, physical therapists, videotaped workouts and more. Think you'll never enjoy any of these training benefits? Think again. The Montgomery County Road Runners Club, one of the largest running clubs in the nation, holds a monthly stride clinic in Rockville, where participants get all the perks listed above. Best of all, the clinic is free for members; others can join the club for a small fee. "We get new club members all the time who just want to be evaluated," said Carol Lavrich, clinic coordinator. "It's a good deal." And that's just the beginning.

Let's Go to the Videotape

The MCRRC started this unique program a few years ago. Now, the approximately 10 subject runners in the stride clinic first fill out a form chronicling their running history, Then, it's on to the first station and the treadmill, where certified coaches Vasili Triantos and Mike Broderick provide evaluations of running form, including posture, cadence, bounce, arm carriage and stride length. "We provide a lot of critiques and recommendations to increase efficiency," Broderick says, "but most people don't believe it until they see it for themselves." That's where the videotape comes in. The treadmill session is recorded, and each participant takes home the only video guaranteed to make houseguests beg to watch highlights of that trip to Orlando. For the runner, of course, the videotape necessitates repeated viewing. Among the coaches' extensive comments are more than a few criticisms. Most runners, Broderick acknowledges, find it difficult to change their running style. "Still, the information can make you aware of where your inefficiencies lie," he says. This is a collaborative effort."

Onto the Table

At the next station podiatrist Adam Spector takes a good look at he pernicious effects of the polyurethane meeting the road. The good doctor thrives on everything from blisters to bunions, from sesamoiditis to plantar fasciitis. "Look at this foot," Spector says, pointing like Sherlock Holmes to a particular gnarly peduncle. "The swelling ere shows evidence of metatarsalgia, which is consistent with what the coaches saw on the treadmill. This forces [the runner] to compensate by treading softly on this side, which will cause more problems if untreated." Physical therapist Rachel Miller, up next, pokes and prods her subjects to determine points of strength and weakness. Miller consults with the other experts and asks the runners questions about individual training habits. Massage therapist Steve Hefferon works out the kinks, both at the clinic and often at the track after club workouts. Hefferon is the director of the National Capital Area Sports Massage Team and cofounder of the National Institute for Human Performance.

What Does It All Mean?

With a video, personalized attention and a fairly voluminous report when they are finished, the subjects can feel more like a laboratory rat than an athlete. "It's true that sometimes we can get too detailed and provide too much information that can be confusing," Triantos said. "But we like to think of the clinic as a first step in the process." Which is how the various professionals can afford to offer their services gratis: clinic referrals from subjects impressed with the service make for good business, and most are suitably impressed. For more information, see www.mcrrc.org and click on Stride Clinic.