Cornwall Coast Path/photo courtesy of www.jordanweeks.com

Tuesday 17 January 2012

Elite Triathlete Coaching Testimonial

LATEST COACHING FEEDBACK FROM NEIL EDDY, ELITE GBR TRIATHLETE:

Having now competed in triathlons for several years at a very high level I was quite skeptical going into my session on barefoot running with Jonno. I did not know much about it and had not heard any talk about barefoot running in the higher ranks of elite triathlon.

But after only a short time with Jonno I was utterly on board, it just makes so much sense. It is the basic fundamentals of our anatomy to run this way. Evidence is just fact and a massive prevention of injury.

I've seen Jonno a couple of times now I definitely think this will improve my running style and slash those times to pieces. I will be working on this in my preparations for my 2012 triathlon season.


This will aid the weaker runners massively and help the good runners immensely. In summary this is the way to go, this is a change to running future.


Neil Eddy, Elite Triathlete and Local PE teacher


Monday 16 January 2012

Group Coaching Clinics

Half Day Group Coaching Clinics now available in conjunction with Trizone Triathlon shop in Truro, Cornwall. Trizone also stock a wide range of VIVOBAREFOOT running and lifestyle shoes so try and buy your shoes and learn the skill of running all under one roof!

Call Jonno on 07972 232797 for details.

Friday 13 January 2012

Latest Client Testimonial

Barefoot Testimonial



I had been running for six months, five of those were in the most expensive pair of Nike shoes I could afford and for four of those months my legs hurt like hell.


I eventually went to see a local sports masseur for help, as I could barely walk. He pointed out it was the way I was running, my shoes, my posture - basically I was running wrong.


He put me in touch with Jonno and told me about barefoot running - at first I thought he was joking, who would want to run barefoot?


But I thought I would try anything to stop my legs hurting.


Jonno's barefoot clinic was BRILLIANT!


At the end of the two hour clinic I was a barefoot runner and my Nikes went straight in the bin. I have spent the past month working on my technique, only running two miles at a time, using the micro skills Jonno taught me in his clinic, but the improvement in my posture and fitness is AMAZING!


I mapped out a 5 mile run for Wednesday night, further than I've ever run, I was surprised how easy it was and I had NO PAIN afterwards. Result!


Thanks, Andrew.


Wednesday 11 January 2012

Mobile Billboard



Decided to make the most of my mobile billboard for some free advertising!












New Harvard Study Released

It’s Official – Barefoot is Best.

Harvard Study Proves that Barefoot Running Style Reduces Injury Rates and Increases Performance

A recent Harvard study led by Professor Daniel Lieberman, Foot Strike and Injury Rates in Endurance Runners: a retrospective study is set to revolutionise the whole footwear industry after finding that that runners who rear foot strike have approximately twice the rate of injury than those who forefoot strike. VIVOBAREFOOT, the authentic barefoot brand designs footwear that promotes forefoot strike rather than rear foot strike and have been the leaders in communicating this same message since 2003.

The research which has been published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, hypothesizes that forefoot strikers may have lower injury rates because they do not generate impact peaks. In the 2010 Nature study by Lieberman et al., Foot Strike Patterns and Collision Forces in Habitually Barefoot Runners Versus Shod Runners, it was found that barefoot running is flagged by a forefoot strike, while shod running lends itself to a rear foot strike.

Lieberman’s research, arguably the most groundbreaking study in the last 30 years, suggests that the incidence of high
injury rate among runners (more than 80% of runners in his study incurred at least one repetitive stress injury per year) could be reduced if their running form minimizes the rate and magnitude of impact loading - in other words, if runners adopt a skillful forefoot strike, characteristic of skilled barefoot runners. With regards to the debate over the importance of shoes versus form, Lieberman states that “running style is probably a more important determinant of injury than footwear (with the caveat that footwear probably influences one’s running style)”.

VIVOBAREFOOT and leading biomechanics expert Lee Saxby have long been believers of the benefits of barefoot movement and of the detrimental impact that modern day footwear has had on dumbing down the senses of today’s society, whether standing, walking or running. While many hypotheses have circled as the barefoot movement has gained strength, Lieberman’s latest research finally provides us with proof that barefoot is best.

In 2011, VIVOBAREFOOT and Lee Saxby launched the VIVOBAREFOOT Training Clinic to educate the world about skillful, injury-free movement, following the success of Saxby’s eBook, Proprioception: Making Sense of Barefoot Running. In May 2011 the VIVOBAREFOOT Training Clinic launched the VIVOBAREFOOT Coaching Program, a five-day course with an intense syllabus covering the science and coaching of the physical and mental components of running. Extensive practical interactions diagnosing and correcting running form complete the course, and only those that pass the rigorous test at the end are granted a certificate. The VIVOBAREFOOT Coaching Program is the only coaching program recommended by Daniel Lieberman.

VIVOBAREFOOT strongly believes in creating footwear that mimics natural movement so your gait is less likely to be influenced by reduced proprioception (sensory feedback). VIVOBAREFOOT produces a suite of barefoot products across performance, lifestyle and kids categories, all featuring its patented, ultra-thin, puncture-resistant sole for maximum proprioception with protection.

Visit trainingclinic.vivobarefoot.com to find resources on barefoot science, read Saxby’s eBook, watch training videos
to learn tips and drills for proper running form, find a local VIVOBAREFOOT Certified Coach, or register for an upcoming VIVOBAREFOOT Coaching Program.

About VIVOBAREFOOT

VIVOBAREFOOT launched the first barefoot shoe in 2003 with a patented, ultra-thin, puncture-resistant
sole offering maximum proprioception with protection. VIVOBAREFOOT features a collection of multi-terrain barefoot performance shoes and the largest minimalist lifestyle shoe range on the market. vivobarefoot.com


Friday 6 January 2012

Foot and shoe Hygiene

What's more hygienic, your feet or your shoes?

Interesting question - try going to your local supermarket for example and you will be told that you cannot enter barefoot as it's unhygienic - you must wear shoes.

Ordinarily I don't touch the food with my feet so I'm not sure what my feet have to do with anything - plus I tend to wash my feet at least once a day whereas I don't think I have ever washed the soles of my shoes!

On the flip side, I was at my local swimming pool today and as you enter the changing area there is a big sign that declares, "In the interests of hygiene, no footwear to be worn beyond this point'.

So come on world, which one is it?!

Which is more hygienic, shoes or feet?

At the end of the day, no doubt entering a shop or a restaurant barefoot has little to do with hygiene and more to do with cultural expectations.

Monday 2 January 2012

VIRTUAL INSPIRATION

VIRTUAL INSPIRATION

Having trouble getting inspired to train? Need encouragement to improve your nutrition? Surrounded by bad influences?

A great way to improve any aspect of your life is to surround yourself with likeminded people that will enhance your life and lead you down the right track.

But what if you don't know any such people?

Granted it can be difficult to go against the flow and be regarded as a fitness freak by the general population - so you need back up, you need to know that actually it's the unhealthy and unfit that are the freaks.

Well thanks to the internet and specifically Twitter, you can now follow all the likeminded people that you can find, all across the world, at any time. You can be inspired by the pro's, the elites, the passionate and the enthusiastic. Anytime you need to gentle nudge to get out the door on a wet and cold winter's day all you need is to read what the likes of Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong), Chrissie Wellington (@chrissiesmiles), Chris McCormack (@MaccaNow), Paula Radcliffe (@paulajradcliffe) and Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavandish) are up to. They might be professionals and they might be naturally talented but the amount of training they put in is phenomenal - just imagine how fast, fit, healthy and (insert personal goal here) you could be by putting in even a small percentage of their effort!

So to answer those that say they can't find any likeminded people to train with - get the next best thing...get inspired online, it's virtually guaranteed to work!

(and in the process you will probably find virtually all the other likeminded people near you...)

@_barefootcoach