How a swimmer can learn to run

Paula Newby-Frazier and Jesse Stensland started the sport as top swimmers and transformed into great runners. How can a swimmer learn to run? Two differences stand out in the mechanics of running vs. swimming: the position of the ankle and the movement of the hips.

Only in swimming are the calf and foot muscles asked to contract all the time. When running, this over development of the calf and plantar muscles will force your center of gravity back, away from the finish line. The solution is to free the calf tension and release the powerful plantar muscles. Unlike runners, swimmers have loose, open hips. In addition swimmers recruit their back muscles as part of the leg kick. This same movement in running can lead to lower back tension. When swimmers run they must learn to lift the knee without using the lower back muscles. When I worked at the Olympic training facility with runners, the most common and consistent problem was this knee lift lower back relationship. With a tight plantar and calf the task is almost impossible.

Plantar Stretch

Face a wall, with feet arms distance away.
Put your hands on the wall.
Bend the knees, as you walk the hands down the wall.
At some point move the knees toward or on the floor.
Feel the stretch at the bottom of the feet wait for10-20 breaths.

Plantar stretch was a key for Paula when she needed to fix her foot in order to defeat Erin Baker and regain her Ironman title. This stretch takes some getting use to; it does not feel great, but it will pay off. When you are in this stretch it will help to remember that the foot muscles handle tremendous stress and strain. To help soften the plantar muscles even more stand on a tennis ball.

Seated Calf Stretch

Sit on the floor.
Lift your chest arch the spine and sit up straight.
Bring the bottom of the right foot to the inside of the left thigh.
Put a strap or towel around the left foot.
Let the top of the left foot move toward the shin.
Keep the arms straight, pull on the strap and arch the chest more.
Get to a position that you can maintain for at least 8 breaths.
Change sides.

This is one of the stronger stretches for the back of the calf and knee. It may help to sit on a cushion. Find the foot and arch the back to make this stretch effective. Visualize the foot and ankle in this flexed position when running. If this feels easy bring the left ankle/shin on top of the right thigh.

Swimmers can run. Use these stretches to compensate for the ongoing lower leg contractions in swimming. Lean forward, get to the finish line first and race and train forever.

Brian Dorfman’s proven techniques keep triathletes performing at their peak. Brian can be reached at www.briandorfman.com.

Plantar Stretch

Seated Calf Stretch

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Kinesiology is the scientific study of the anatomy, physiology, and mechanics of body movement.