Runner in training - Part 2: Running is only half the fun
Daniel performing the 'butterfly' stretch, which aims to stretch both sets of adductor (groin) muscles. As shown, you can use your elbows to help push down your knees to the ground to increase the stretch.
I’ll start today’s blog by being completely honest with you. There’s so much to enjoy about running, other than the running part itself. I mean don’t get me wrong, running really gets my juices flowing and I am very much looking forward to my first ever official running event; the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon on May 18. However running provides so much more entertainment than I thought was possible. You’re probably thinking, well yes of course, whilst I’m at home or at the gym, I can catch the latest episode of Game of Thrones or indulge myself in the latest scandal surrounding Ridge and Brook on the Bold and the Beautiful as I run myself silly on the treadmill! Well this isn’t quite the type of entertainment that I was referring to!
Straight up, I’m an outdoors type of guy. I thrive off the Vitamin D. Fresh air is my caffeine. Consequently, running on the treadmill just doesn’t cut it for me. Sure, the treadmill has its use in the clinical setting due to practicality reasons. But personally, I think the treadmill alters a natural and normal running pattern to some degree. As a physiotherapist, this is my clinical perspective that I share with colleagues and patients. But that’s not the entire reason I say nay to the treadmill. In truth, I would be robbing myself of the natural wonders of the world by choosing to run indoors!
And no, I am not running amongst cascading waterfalls, breathtaking mountain tops or with the native fauna at the local national park. Although I will admit, I did enjoy a scenic run by Manly beach the other day, taking in the beautiful sea breeze. That was a nice change of pace (lame running pun intended!) 9 times out of 10; the usual running course I complete is not in such a picture perfect setting. So although beautiful serenity is ideal, running in the not-so-extravagant industrial areas, I need to source out other forms of entertainment whilst I run, and it isn’t hard!
Let’s start with an old hobby that I never grow weary of and may just sound a little creepy; people watching. As a physio, understanding human behaviour cannot be underestimated as a tool to build rapport with patients and therefore likely improve their compliance to treatment. Running for periods ranging from an hour or two allows a great opportunity to observe human interaction. Sure, you can catch a bit of action on a treadmill observing outside a window, but as a seasoned people watcher, running outside is what I consider getting out into the field! A highlight would have to be the ever relentless road rage demonstrated by drivers in peak hour traffic; if only they didn’t press that snooze button!
However, I would say that the level of entertainment definitely increases once I am the one being watched! On one occasion, a driver, a man, with the wife and kids in the car, clearly in some need of amusement decided to slow down to my speed, and then quickly accelerate and decelerate to encourage me to run faster. I hate to say that the car only persisted for a few seconds as it rode off into the distance, a little bit faster than the kilometres per hour I was able to conjure! Whilst I do enjoy the occasional whistle or honk of support, being pointed and laughed at by a little girl in the park would have to be the most unique way the public has displayed its support of my running thus far!
But as I said earlier in this blog, if I am to be completely honest with you, much of the odd or strange human behaviour is most probably displayed by myself; the runner! Weaving in and out of traffic, similar to that of the crowd avoiding the fiery bulls at Pamplona’s San Fermin Festival in Spain, is not an over-the-top comparison. It must leave some scratching their head as I hurriedly scurry across the road, just so I can prevent interference of my running course (I don’t actually condone such barbaric behaviour and as my beloved mother would always say, make sure you’re safe!)
Actually, embarrassingly so, the running track sometimes transforms into some form of dance floor as a good song comes onto my music carrying device (no product advertisements in this blog!) I don’t want to know what people think of me as they witness my gangster rap hand gesturing and brief fist pumping! But, I will always share a unique bond with the other runner who passes me in the opposite direction; the slight head nod or wink to the other signifies a mutual respect only felt deep down into the soul of a fellow runner!
All of this entertainment, with the added benefit of running, I should have to pay to do this!
Daniel Piggott - Physiotherapist, Back In Motion Bankstown