Last night I attended the first session of the Mizuno Running clinic headed by tri-athlete/running coach Miguel “Ige” Lopez. I did attend this clinic early this year but I was only able to attend three sessions (they were 10 sessions-all free!). However, I intend to attend and complete all 10 sessions this time.
For those who are planning to attend this running clinic, here are the questions you might ask and my answers:
1. Where is this Mizuno running clinic held?
Bonifacio High Street – Taguig Metro Manila.
2. What day/time they start?
Every Thursday at 7pm. They usually end around 8:30pm to 9:00pm.
3. How much does it cost to join this running clinic?
As mentioned above, this is free!
4. I don’t own a Mizuno pair, can I still join?
If you go there wearing a different brand of running shoes, this will promptly ask you to leave the place immediately. Ok just kidding, you can go there and register even if you don’t own a Mizuno pair. I myself don’t have one. ? If you own a Mizuno pair, you will be given some discount coupon where you can avail of some Mizuno stuffs at a discount, freebies (possibly a singlet if you complete all sessions, Gatorade bottle for each sessions etc) and bragging rights knowing you’re a member of Mizuno Running Club.
5. How’s a typical Mizuno running session look like?
The session would normally begin with a 1.2km warm-up jog/slow run around BHS. After the run, you will be given 10 minutes to refresh yourself. There will be Gatorade available for everyone. This will be followed by several drills. Coach Ige usually introduce new drills every session so it’s important to attend all sessions if you want to enjoy the drills. Drills usually last for 10-15 minutes, all depending on Coach Ige’s mood and the complexity of the exercise.
To give you some info why you need to include drills in your training:
- Drills develop total fitness for runners. They exaggerate various aspects of the running motion, as well as isolate and work the specific muscles involved.
- They can potentially improve your running time. These running drills are great for improving your running form and running economy.
- The exercises also help to strengthen specific muscle groups needed for powerful running, especially the muscles of the feet, calves, shins, thighs and hips. The ankle, knee and hip joints undergo considerable flexion and extension during the running stride, and each of these joints is exercised through a similar or greater range of motion during the various drills
After drills, its your chance to apply what you’ve learned so you will be asked to run again around BHS loop at race pace.
Last night’s session, we did a 3km time-trial run after the drills. I completed 3.6km (3 loops around BHS) in 18 minutes and 32 seconds. I know I could have improved this time if I didn’t do my leg speed training early that morning. Anyway, this will be compared in the future (possibly in the 10th session) to test if my speed/fitness improves. My plan is to finish 3.6km in 15 minutes flat at the end of this class. Hope to see you guys soon in Mizuno running clinic every Thursday!
