Last weekend I was at the National Sports and Conditioning Association sport specific expo (football and baseball) pushing my new exercise machines. Because I was emphsizing the running speed benefits of the cranks I brought along Aaron Thigpen, a world class sprinter, who has been using them in his coaching business (his clientel is mostly baseball players) for about a year.
I learned a lot listening to him. Much of it is way to complicated to put in a post here but here are a few gems.
One of the reasons PC's are so effective in improving running is encouraging proper form. The MAIN form improvement however, is not knee lift as I though but, rather, toe lift. For a quick turnover it is imperative that the foot not flop back after push off but rather the toes be brought up quickly. If that is done everything else follows. It is what you should concentrate on and what the PC''s make you do, i.e., lift those toes on the back stroke. This is applicable to everyone (PC'ers or not) and reminded me somewhat of what Pose technique is trying to do.
One more thing. He also recommends that you spend a little time riding the PC's before each of your training runs or after each PC bike ride you do some running. He makes all of his athletes run immediately after using the PC bike. He thinks the good motion memory the PC's instill gets incorporated better in the run if it is done immediately, even if the muscles are tired.
How about you guys/gals trying some of this and giving me some feedback.
BTW, the expo was a big success. Picked up the New York Yanquis!! Also, expected to see nothing but big muscle-bound people but was surprised as I met several triathletes, including a few who lurk here and at gordos sites.
Frank
--------------
Frank,
An original Ironman and the Inventor of PowerCranks
I learned a lot listening to him. Much of it is way to complicated to put in a post here but here are a few gems.
One of the reasons PC's are so effective in improving running is encouraging proper form. The MAIN form improvement however, is not knee lift as I though but, rather, toe lift. For a quick turnover it is imperative that the foot not flop back after push off but rather the toes be brought up quickly. If that is done everything else follows. It is what you should concentrate on and what the PC''s make you do, i.e., lift those toes on the back stroke. This is applicable to everyone (PC'ers or not) and reminded me somewhat of what Pose technique is trying to do.
One more thing. He also recommends that you spend a little time riding the PC's before each of your training runs or after each PC bike ride you do some running. He makes all of his athletes run immediately after using the PC bike. He thinks the good motion memory the PC's instill gets incorporated better in the run if it is done immediately, even if the muscles are tired.
How about you guys/gals trying some of this and giving me some feedback.
BTW, the expo was a big success. Picked up the New York Yanquis!! Also, expected to see nothing but big muscle-bound people but was surprised as I met several triathletes, including a few who lurk here and at gordos sites.
Frank
--------------
Frank,
An original Ironman and the Inventor of PowerCranks