Published November 4, 2016 02:43PM
How To Solve That Slanted Road Issue That Hurts
The surface of the road isn't always flat, so here's what you should pay attention to when you're training for races on it.
NCAA runner turned high school coach Hillary Kigar has an answer for all things training!
Q: Should I be concerned about getting injured by running on the side of the road where it’s slanted? When I run facing traffic, my left leg always hits the ground lower than my right.
It’s great that you are aware of this potential issue. If you run on the cambered road every now and then, you shouldn’t be too concerned about the slant’s impact on your body. However, if you run this road nearly every day, consider incorporating some hip and lower-back strengthening exercises into your routine. This will help prevent injuries that could result from the imbalance in your stride.
The best solution would be to mix up your routes. In general, it is better for the body to experience a variety of surfaces while training. Running on different trails, paths and roads requires that your muscles adapt to new terrain, which will help your body become stronger and more injury-proof.
Have a question for Coach Kigar? Email editorial@womensrunnning.com or tweet @womensrunning with the hashtag #AsktheCoach.