RUNNING BLOG
Running Training: A Holistic, Evidence-Infused Philosophy
by Chris Johnson PT Consistency and Moderation Reign Supreme. That's the bedrock of my training theme. Whether recovering from an injury or new to running, the initial goal is to have you run on non-consecutive days. It's also important you stay on top of wellness...
5 Essential Questions for Clinicians and Coaches
Five potent inquiries I regularly use to help people take control of their choices and break free from inaction and passivity when it comes to behavioral change and getting on the other side of pain and dysfunction.
Taking The Plunge
Why there’s never a better time than now to embrace your entrepreneurial spirit I never anticipated that receiving a pin the size of a penny would spark my entrepreneurial journey, but that’s how it all started. Let's rewind to my days in New York...
8 Ways to Help Runners Regain Confidence and Trust in Their Body
As a physical therapist, nothing's worse than seeing a runner who has lost confidence and trust in their body. Luckily, I know how to get runners back on track. Using my 20+ years of experience, I've outlined the 8 most important strategies to keep in mind when...
6 Takeaways from Running an Impromptu Marathon
How I ran a 2:50 marathon on a whim while staying healthy and in control throughout the race Race pic courtesy of the Eugene Marathon On May 1st, I completed the Eugene Marathon. While I've completed plenty of Ironman Triathlons, this was my first ever attempt at the...
Marching Madness | 7 Marching Drills to Improve Your Running Form
7 Marching Drills That Will Improve Your Running As Dick Vitale would say, "It's March Madness, Baby!" To celebrate, I'd like to share some marching madness. Reflecting over the past two decades of my physical therapy, coaching, and sporting career,...
Burnout in Physical Therapy | Where Passion Collides With Reality
It’s become clear a good chunk of physical therapists have become disenchanted with the profession and are suffering burnout. Can’t imagine it has anything to do with the insurmountable levels of debt and pressure from employers who lack core values and prioritize...
The Runner’s Despair
Runners dealing with pain and injury often experience despair. This is a poem about it.
How to Apply the Science of Step Rate to Your Running Using the RunCadence & Spotify App
Over the past several years, a wealth of research has emerged pertaining to the myriad of benefits of step rate (AKA cadence) manipulation when addressing various running related injuries (RRIs) and lower extremity pain. The fundamental principle behind step rate...
How to Create a Pain Problem & Opioid Addiction
I recently received a call from a young guy (late twenties), who was recommended by his friend to contact me as he was in need of acute post-operative rehabilitation following a recent knee menisectomy. Upon asking him, "What instructions were you given to manage your...
A Guide to Treadmill Running Analysis for Clinicians & Health Professionals
"The S's of Treadmill Running Analysis" Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes I made during my early years as a physical therapist was not taking the time watch runners run. Invariably, this led to a short-sighted perspective, hasty decision making, and...
Metronome Marching & Return to Running
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13h4qmhEK3Q One of the many mantras that I recite in working with runners is that "Running is about rhythm and timing." Along these lines, If there was only one exercise that I could give to a runner following a running related...
Hip Airplane + Step Up/Down
This drill combines the hip airplane with a basic step up/down. This is a great drill to challenge runners in a manner consistent with the performance demands of running.
Supine Trunk Training
This supine trunk training drill is a great way to challenge trunk control while superimposing lower extremity movements.
Prone Extensions & Marching
This is a great drill that builds strength and endurance of the spinal extensors, which are pretty darn important when it comes to running. Furthermore, we can also incorporate a simple marching drill to further challenge trunk control. All...
Proximal Hamstring Training – Isometric Loading
https://vimeo.com/182263676 Proximal hamstring tendinopathy (PHT) is a challenging and recalcitrant condition that runners and rehab professionals often encounter. Understanding load management principles and best current practices from a rehab standpoint is...
A & B Marching Drills
https://vimeo.com/180203758 The A & B March are preludes to the more advanced A, B, & C Skipping drills. I usually get folks acquainted with these before progressing to the skipping drills. The A skip is appropriate for nearly all runners while the B skip...
A, B & C-Skips
https://vimeo.com/180208061 One of the things that I routinely tell runners is that, “If you can skip you can run.” Along these lines, here are three classic skipping drills that I often incorporate into the late stages of rehab as well as into performance coaching...
