As the build up to the fifth season of Goa
River Marathon gains momentum, runners are prepping to breast the tape. This time however, the organisers are helping
them to take a more scientific approach to the sport by enlisting the expertise
of two of the best names in the business.
A world renowned sports scientist and
performance coach who specialises in biomechanics, high performance testing,
functional rehabilitation and mental aptitude, Dr Shayamal Vallabjee believes
in the application of science to enhance performance and manage injuries. “In running, I apply the principles from my
research, which have been shown to give athletes a huge advantage. For example,
strength training twice a week will help a runner improve his running economy;
improve the strength of the hamstring and glutes and will reduce his incidence
of knee pain. Alternating between two pairs of shoes during training will
reduce their risk of running related injuries by almost 39%,” he explains.
“Simply sticking to exercise science principles such as progressive overload
and specificity will also help most runners to improve and stay injury free,”
he says while advising newcomers to quit worrying about distance covered; rather
to focus on the time on the road and applying the training tips. While his
workshop in Goa will contain these major aspects, he also promises to reveal
secrets behind the Kenyan marathon runners; a subject he has long studied.
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Life Coach Dr Purnendu Nath’s ‘Philosophy of
Fitness: a Practical Guide to Getting Fitter and Staying Motivated’ finds a
similar resonance. Pacing runners in
their final stages of international race preparations, this fitness guide and
veteran runner has, by example, inspired many across the world to change their
lifestyles for the better. A PhD in
Finance, he is currently preparing to be certified as a trainer by the American
College of Sports Medicine.
With his ultimate goal to promote good health
and better fitness in the broader population, Dr Nath’s session will have a
two-fold purpose. “Basically I want society to get fitter. Even if I get 50
people who live sedentary lives to live fitter and fuller lives, I will have
achieved something,” he avers. The other aspect is to bring about discipline
and happiness in one’s life through physical fitness. “I tend to use physical
fitness as a message to live a happier life.
The way I see it, if anything is holding you back, in any sphere of your
life, physical training helps to change the mindset. It makes you more disciplined and makes you
more mindful of yourself. And in this
case, with distance running there is definitely a lot of discipline involved,”
maintains Dr Nath.
The race to the finish has just begun.
The
marathon training workshop is being conducted by Vasco Sports Club in
association with Wockhardt Hospitals on November 9, 2014 between 9am to 1.30pm
at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina, Vasco
