Month: September 2017

Can minimal running really help your form?

Posted on by Mohsin Salya

Hi, and welcome back to the Mohsin Salya blog.

Running, just like any other sport, has its crazes. Many of course are driven by the industry – the big name companies jumping on trends to sell the latest trainers, clothing or technology. Minimal footwear is one recent phenomenon that seems to have stuck around however – and it’s probably with good reason.

Less is more?

The thinking behind minimal running shoes is this. Over the years, as shoe material technology has become increasingly advanced, the amount of support and cushioning technology that is built into the shoes has increased. Minimal running shoes are a response to this trend and is based on some sound scientific thinking.

The idea is that the cushioning we’ve all become so accustomed to has actually negatively affected our running form. Runners wearing shoes with over 8mm of cushioning on them are often inclined to land on their heels – rather than the mid or fore-foot – and so they’re actually running less efficiently than they should.

Improve your form

So, do I recommend that you give minimal shoes a go? Well, I think they’re certainly an interesting response to the technology overload that we’ve seen going into shoes in over the decades. I also think that they’re well worth giving a go if you feel that your super-cushioned running shoes are negatively impacting on your running style – it seems that they certainly can be a useful corrective to the poor running form caused by heel strikes. Without the cushioning, you’re forced to adopt a more natural running style, and it certainly makes sense that this can improve your running efficiency.

I’ve personally found that switching between minimal shoes and more cushioned ones has certainly had a positive effect on my own running – so give it a go and see how you get on.

Until the next time,

Mohsin Salya

The best running shoes of 2017 revealed!

Posted on by Mohsin Salya

Hi, and welcome back to the Mohsin Salya blog.

Those of you who have read a lot of my writing on running will know that I’m not someone who is into continually buying the latest kit. I tend to only buy the things I need – whether it’s clothes or technology – and then (literally) run it into the ground before I invest in the next big thing. While there is a lot of incredible gear out there, I do think a lot of it is more about changing fashions rather than huge leaps forward in technology.

That said, there is however one area where I do regularly invest in the latest new products – and that’s running shoes. I’ve spoken in the past about the benefits of having more than one pair of shoes for your runs and I thought that it might be an idea to share some of the latest that I think have really stood out this year. So, here are my top picks of 2017.

Altra Escalante

The Escalante is a gorgeous shoe – it’s built using TPU foam in the sole rather than the traditional EVA foam, which both lasts longer and delivers a bit more bounce for your money. It’s a comfortable fit and I highly recommend it for those long training runs. Prices start around £115.

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

An all-time classic, of course, but the Pegasus just seems to be getting better and better with age. Suitable for most runners, they’re beautifully made and have a staggering amount of technology built into them – that, more importantly, actually works. This year there’s more room for your toes, which anyone who has experienced sore toes out on a run will know is very welcome news. Prices from around £100.

Brooks Ghost 10

Secure feeling, this is a quality shoe that will look after you on your long runs. It’s a product built for high mileages, but it is also a great shoe for beginners too – a piece of footwear that will never let you down when you need it most. Prices start around £80.

Until the next time,

Mohsin Salya

IT band syndrome – what is it and how you recover?

Posted on by Mohsin Salya

Hi, and welcome back to the Mohsin Salya blog.

Have you ever been on a run, and started to feel an ache down the outside of your thigh? And has the pain got steadily worse – usually by the side of your knee – until you can’t run any more? If so, then there’s a good chance you’ve fallen victim to IT band syndrome. It’s an incredibly common complaint among runners – both amateur and experienced – but it can side line you for weeks at a time if you don’t pick it up early.

A problem area

So, first things first – what on earth is your IT band, and what happens when things go wrong? Well, the iliotibial (IT) band is the long length of ligament that runs all the way down the outside of your thigh from your hip to your shin. The IT band attaches to your knee and helps to keep it stable as it moves – but it can sometimes become tight or inflamed.

There are a few things that can cause this – running up and down hills, running on surfaces that are banked, causing your foot to turn inwards, or just overdoing it. The key is to make sure you rest as soon as you start feeling the ache on the side of your knee – either a complete break for a few days or just fewer miles. In terms of treatment, rest, foam rollering the IT band or deep tissue massage is recommended.

Avoiding the problem

Luckily, there are also a few ways to avoid getting it in the first place – don’t run on concrete, banked surfaces or on hills (where possible, for a while at least).  Another tip I’ve heard is to run in the middle of the road, where you’re not running with your foot banked on the camber for miles, but obviously this carries its own risks, so I wouldn’t recommend it.

The best piece of advice I can give is to warm up properly – a good walk before you run always does the trick – and don’t try and run through the pain if it does happen to you.

Until the next time,

Mohsin Salya

A tribute to running legend Mo Farah

Posted on by Mohsin Salya

Hi, and welcome back to the Mohsin Salya blog.

We probably all have favourite British sporting moments – whether it’s England winning the World Cup in 1966 or Andy Murray’s triumph in the Men’s Singles final at Wimbledon – but my personal highlight was Mo Farah’s incredible double gold at the London 2012 Olympics.

Track legend

Those Olympic Games were a special time anyway – a moment where the whole nation seemed to come together – but Mo’s triumphs in the 10,000m and then the 5,000m were truly sensational. Mo – now ‘Sir Mo’ for his contribution to athletics – has now run his last race on the track – and I for one will be sad to see him go.

An inspiration to us all

His story is a truly inspiring one – from his early life that saw him come to the UK as an eight-year old from Somalia, to the huge amount of effort he has put in over the years to reach the very heights of his sport. He’s also contributed an enormous amount off the track too – including working as an ambassador for Marathon Kids, an organisation that aims to get kids active.

Ready for the road

He went out in style earlier this year at the scene of his earlier triumphs – winning the 10,000m race at this year’s World Championships in London – and has now set his sights on the road. I’m hugely excited to see what he can achieve when he takes on the marathon distance – he’s a natural competitor who will be fascinating to watch in these longer races. Let’s hope we’ll be seeing this knight of the road performing ‘The Mobot’ for many years to come.

Until the next time,

Mohsin Salya