I still remember that one race...

I was coming around the final turn and just felt "a hitch" in my right hamstring (and groin if I'm honest).

I didn't stop; I didn't need to.

But it made me come off the gas. And I lost my place in the race.

That last thing I want for you this race season is to encounter a similar "hitch".

A weird niggle that makes you stop and ask yourself, "is my check engine light on?"

But maybe your blessed by the running gods and your hamstrings never give you any trouble ever and you're about to yeet this email into your trash bin...

Hold up.

Not yet.

If you're a runner who wants:

• that extra edge in their speed workouts
• wants to run longer without dead legs
• wants to be able to charge up those hills and tackle repeats without a second thought...

Then what you're missing is hamstring strength. ​

I'm not saying you're weak! I'm saying that in order to level up your running, you're likely to get there faster with stronger hamstrings.

On a different note:

Something that I've been playing around with for years in my physical therapy practice: strengthening hamstrings help heal and prevent shin splints. ​

Here's my two cents:

• Most runners I've encountered, both online and in the clinic, who suffer from shin splints, also demonstrate weaker hamstrings.
• In my PT brain, the hamstrings aren't strong enough to absorb the impact of every stride
• and require improved eccentric strength to control the knee extension and simultaneously ankle dorsiflexion that occurs upon heel strike with every stride.

blah blah blah english...

Your hamstrings are hella important and act like shock absorbers. But with every mile, they fatigue and absorb less shock. So some other body part has to pick up the slack (potentially your shins). You can prevent that (and fix that!) by building stronger hamstrings with this week's circuit.

I think that's all pretty cool, and hopefully you do too, being a part of the running fit fam :)

So here's the link to this week's exercises, and let's go check it out. :)

Dare to Train Differently,

Marie Whitt, PT, DPT //@dr.whitt.fit

P.S. Stronger hamstrings mean longer, stronger runs and better speed workouts. Lets goooo!

P.P.S. Have Spring 2025 races on the brain? If you think this week's exercises are nifty, imagine an entire runner-specific strength PROGRAM with 1 on 1 coaching for your spring marathon. Yup, Race Ready is coming ;) Sign up for that WAITLIST here!

Looking for MORE ways to work together?

• NEW! RUNNING RESCUE CALL: Save your run and your race at the first sign of an ache, niggle, or repeat running injury. Let's work together 1-on-1 with these coaching calls to create a personalized exercise program that gets you out of pain, keeps you running, and helps prepare you for your next race day!
• Grab one of my FREE Strength resources for runners: FREE STRONGER RUNNER 14 DAY Strength Challenge: done-for-you FREE 14 days of programmed strength exercises specifically for runners! (all in one, easy-access app!) or my FREE Strength Guide for Runners (a low tech, pdf download you can get started with immediately!)
• GET ON THE WAITLIST for RACE READY: my one-on-one 16 week strength coaching program designed for marathon runners and personalized around your training plan. Run better, longer, stronger, faster, & injury-free!
• ​STRONGER FEET WORKSHOP: Losing the battle to plantar fasciitis, posterior tib pain, or reoccurring Achilles tendonitis? Not with this workshop ;)

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