Running Drills - Are They Really Helpful Diagnostic Tools?

Dr. Anh Bui is both a runner and an expert on running form and gait analysis. She competed in cross country and track at UC San Diego and her interest in physiology and biomechanics, in addition to helping injured runners, led her to become a physical therapist.

Anh completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy at Columbia University. She also furthered her education with a focus on advanced orthopedics, women's health, and management of the running athlete. In her work at Columbia's RunLab Clinic, Anh performed gait evaluations and provided individualized plans to high level runners.

As a physical therapist, a certified strength coach, a USATF certified running coach (and a competitive runner!), Anh is able to provide a variety of tools to help runners get healthy and remain injury free.

Some of the subjects we discuss in depth include:

• Guiding principles when it comes to form
• The best way to think about cadence
• How and when to apply a forward lean technique
• Is a midfoot strike optimal for all runners?
• Who can benefit from gait analysis?
• Form cues

You're bound to learn some new and useful advice on running form and gait in my discussion with Anh!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• To learn more about Dr. Anh Bui, visit her website here
• Follow Anh on Instagram
• Check out these useful running cues to help optimize your form.

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You've probably heard of Spartan Races - but you probably don't know that they offer such a wide variety of types of races. From short to long-distance obstacle courses - and even ultra distances, to trail races, stadium races, and even city races in major metropolitan areas.

What I love about obstacle course races is that they are a great diagnostic tool to help you pinpoint what area of your fitness is lacking. Do you have a general aerobic deficiency? Do you struggle with upper body strength? Can you handle the stop and start nature of OCR's? Do you have the mobility to perform the obstacles?

Signing up for a race that challenges you in a different way can help you find out more about yourself as an athlete. Ever since I tried my first obstacle course race in 2012, I've loved these events. They are demanding and require you to be a well-rounded athlete, something that I wholeheartedly endorse here on this podcast. Go to spartan.com to find a local race near you. If you're in Colorado, I hope to see you on June 12th at the Colorado Springs Spartan Race.