A few short months ago, Boulder had nary an Alter G. It was an extravagance normally reserved for professional sports team, the Olympic Training Center and elite running groups. Now, Boulder boasts three of these monstrous machines.
I have had the pleasure on running on an Alter G at Altitude Physical Therapy (thanks Bob Cranny!!). The first time was just for kicks and the second time I ran an interval session. With cross country nationals around the corner, I need to channel my inner speed because at 8K this race is quite short. With marathon training and racing barely behind me, I realize that I am at high risk for injury if I do too much too soon. The Alter G is a perfect compromise – it gives me the ability to train at faster paces without the dangers inherent in traditional speed work.
Here’s how it works.
How hot are these? I'm thinking about getting some for casual wear. |
2. Zip yourself into the cockpit. Yes, that is what they call it. I looked it up. I had no idea what it was called. Plastic thingy?
Step into the opening... | ...and then zip in. |
I'm getting weighed. |
5. Have fun running at paces you would never see on the track or on the road.
Now, I am not a huge fan of treadmill running. It is not the boredom that makes treadmill running unsavory. Nope, it is the fear of falling off the back coupled with how crappy my legs feel due to the fact the treadmill changes my form. I tend to arch my back which causes an anterior pelvic tilt which causes me to over stride which causes my glutes to stop firing.You get the gist. It sucks.
The Alter G combats both my fear of flying off the back and keeps my hips in good position. Being locked in really makes a huge difference. I could grab my drink, wipe my face, and play with my iPod with reckless abandon (and sometimes all at once!) all with perfect form (well, in my mind it was perfect and there was nobody there to refute it). I did not feel like I was over striding and my normally fast leg turnover got a boost.
I'm not coordinated enough to run and hit the buttons on the control panel. |
That is something I would love to try someday. Thanks for sharing your experience and good luck on your training!
ReplyDeleteGoing backwards on it is a trip--I did think I was going to lose my legs at that point and find myself dangling by the cockpit. Good luck at the CC Nationals! I did scream for you down in Houston. :^)
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