The Runner's Lab: Become A Running Nerd with Alison Marie PHD

Welcome to 'The Runner's Lab' My name is Alison Marie Helms, Ph.D.

I'm a PhD engineer, NASM-certified personal trainer, UESCA-certified running coach, and a self-proclaimed running nerd.

My superpower is in taking complex ideas, connecting the dots, and putting it together in a way that is easy to understand. I love getting into the nitty gritty of form, positions, muscle actions, and running biomechanics. I also know that what you can’t see, your physiology, can play a huge role in your experience.

I want to teach you to breathe, slow down, move intentionally, and step INTO your body (not tune out) and your power. To help you understand what your body is telling you, to learn its language, and to support its needs.

I’ve been a runner for 30 years and a professional in the industry for 10 years, I firmly believe my earlier life careers (engineering and teaching) have shaped the way I look at all this stuff. When asked what a chemical engineer does, my answer was always “Make things more efficient.” That’s exactly what I do now with running - look at the details WITH the big picture to get the best possible result.

Going from teaching college-level engineering classes to teaching middle school science sharpened my skills of taking complex ideas, connecting the dots, and putting it together in a way that is easy to understand. If I can get 100 12-year-olds to understand and explain complex weather phenomena, I’ve got you here!

That’s why I created The Runner’s Lab!

What is the Runner’s Lab?

A two-hour deep dive into the physics and physiology of running, blending educational insights with practical exercises to help you move, feel, and experiment within your body.

Education:

Gain a comprehensive understanding of your physiology, stress resilience, running biomechanics, and my 5 essential skills for an efficient stride. This knowledge will equip you to grasp the "how" and "why" behind the exercises and movements in the practical segment.

Experiment:

You'll have the opportunity to apply your newfound knowledge, tuning into your physiology and honing the 5 essential skills, ensuring you can seamlessly incorporate them into your body and overall training strategy.

The 5 Skills Framework

The Runner’s Lab is built on a comprehensive framework that includes five essential skills for running efficiency:

1 The Stack:

Learn to orient your ribcage over your pelvis, unlocking your core and range of motion in all three planes.

2 Stand on One Leg:

Achieve balance and stability by organizing your center of mass over your stance leg, internally rotating into the hip, pronating your foot, and loading your glutes.

3 Rotate:

Understand the importance of rotation and counter-rotation through your feet, pelvis, and torso for efficient forward motion.

4 Extend:

Master hip extension (with big toe extension) before knee extension to make propulsion more efficient.

5 Energy Storage:

Efficiently store and release energy through each stride by building strong, healthy tendons, with the foundation of the first four skills.

By developing these skills, you'll run with greater strength, power, and efficiency.

The Runner's Lab Details:

Join me virtually to gain a deeper understanding of the physics and physiology of running and what that means for your body and your training so that you can unlock your full running potential.

Your Coach 
Alison

Next on your reading list: 

Running Towards Your Potential: The Women's Running Accademy

The Runner's Lab: Become A Running Nerd with Alison Marie PHD

Running and Pregnancy: How To Love Both!