Vancouver Run For the Cure Survivors
This morning I had both the pleasure and honour of speaking to the training group preparing for the Vancouver Run for the Cure at the Denman Running Room. I was inspired by this group of dedicated, strong, and courageous breast cancer survivors (along with a few supporters). I am grateful for having had this experience.
I did not speak on the topic of cancer; I spoke about the ol’ mighty buttocks and its importance in the biomechanics of walking and running. I talked about how our gluteus maximus and gluteus medius and minimus need to be both strong and firing properly in order to prevent injury and perform well. We went through some exercises to improve the relationship between the neurological system and the muscular system to correct the muscle firing patterns as well as exercises to strengthen the muscles.
If you have experienced pain or tightness in your hamstrings, low back, or sacroiliac joint after running or walking your gluteus maximus could be to blame, while your gluteus medius and minimus could be the cause of pain in your upper buttocks and lower back, iliotibial band, and / or knee. Getting to the root of symptoms is a good way to avoid pain in the butt injuries. If you are training for an event or just running and walking a lot, consider getting assessed to avoid unnecessary injuries by identifying your weak links and targeting them with specific “pre-habiliation” exercises.
Again, I am thankful for my experience this morning and I wish you all a wonderful time at the event and I truly hope you reach your fund raising goals! To everyone else reading this, look after your buttocks muscles and be sure to support the Vancouver Run for the Cure in some way! Here is the Run for the Cure website if you would like to learn more about this amazing event https://www.cibcrunforthecure.com/html/en/rl_vancouver.asp
Here are a few online resources that one of the women at the talk provided me with:
www.breastcancernowwhat.com (Great for women under 45 years old affected by breast cancer)
http://canada.thewellnesscommunity.org (Online support groups)
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