THE sunny weather and postLondon Marathon euphoria have seen the streets and parks suddenly full to bursting with joggers. If you are considering joining their ranks for the first time, you may think all you need do is put one foot in front of the other and pound the pavements. But running is tough on Utah Leather Replica your joints and a poor technique can lead to injuries.
Expert Mike Antoniades from the Running School in Chiswick says many novice runners don't know how to run properly: "Twenty-first century living is not good for us. Many of us don't know how to move correctly because we spend so much time behind desks. And heavy handbags don't help because women forget the importance of using their arms."
Mike is one of a new breed of fitness coaches who can help maximise your performance either in person or via your mobile phone. Special training packages can be installed on your phone with advice on technique. We sent three writers to sample some of London's best training programmes designed to aid effective, injury-free running
THE RIGHT MOVES
What is it? Alexander Technique. The teacher? Noel Kingsley, posture expert and author of Perfect Poise, Perfect Life.
What happened? On the wrong side of 45 and having abandoned the gym long ago, I knew I had to get back into exercise. I'd tried running after one of the children was born but my knees protested. So I turned to Noel and the Alexander Technique for help. Its core principle is to bring your body into balance. Noel says: "You need to run efficiently, and for that you must 'lengthen' in stature as you run."
First he showed me how to free up my neck and allow my head to "balance" on top of my spine. Another rule is to relax the shoulders, keep the arms bent, hands flexible and to lead with the knees, christian audigier clothing not the feet. This prevents muscles overtightening which can lead to neck and lower back damage. And never tuck your bottom in. Instead, think of your back widening as you run.
Verdict? It works. There was no more knee ache because AT improved my posture. About 4lb seems to have fallen off me, fortuitously around my thighs. Some mornings I think I could run for ever. I've even fantasised about running the London Marathon. Perhaps one day.
Cost? Pounds 75 a lesson. Contact: 19 Cavendish Square, W1 (020 7491 3505, ).
JACKIE ANNESLEY
THE GADGET
What is it? Trainer 5k, a simple "app" you can put on your iPhone. Its fitness programme is designed to turn you into Usain Bolt (well, someone equipped to run 5km) in 30 easy stages.
The teacher? A robotic voice which issues a series of instructions for you when running. It starts gently and builds up through later lessons.
What happened? I rigged myself up to the iPhone, selected the first training programme and burst out of my front door. "RUN FOR ONE MINUTE," the iPhone told me, rather sternly. One minute did not seem very long, and sure enough, when I had just broken into my stride, I was told: "WALK FOR ONE MINUTE."
After another 60 seconds I was commanded to run again, then walk again after a similar interval, looking to any passer-by like a very halfhearted jogger indeed -- but so stentorian was the voice, I dared not disobey. "KILL THEM. KILL THEM ALL," you half expect it to say, and you probably would. Finally, when I made it to the park, I broke through the "RUN FOR THREE MINUTES" barrier. After w
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