There are so many reasons stability is important in running, but I chose to write a bit on three of those reasons for today’s Wednesday Word.
When you think of stability and running, chances are your thoughts turn to running shoes. Because some runners need stability shoes: some runners enjoy the support they get from stability shoes.
Change Brings About Stability
It seems like stability (the property of a body that causes it when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium or steady motion to develop forces or moments that restore the original condition) is a highly desirable state.
But that doesn’t mean that we don’t change, in fact, it means quite the opposite, as the above quote implies: in order to change, we actually need to have challenges in our lives. The right challenges will actually lead you back to a strong — or even stronger! — performance.
Like I wrote about last week in My Triumphant Return to Running.
Single Leg Stability
Then there’s the fact that as runners single leg stability is extremely important.
Think about what running involves: you’re not jumping forward with both feet, right? At least I hope you’re not, cause that would be highly entertaining! And probably exhausting.
Basically, you are hopping from one foot to another, and it’s important that the foot on the ground is stable. That’s why single leg exercises (squats, lunges, deadlifts, etc.) are so important for runners. They may even help you prevent a lot of common injures.
Here are a few resources to help you add single leg drills to your strength training:
- The Importance of Single Leg Balance
- Single-Leg Drills for Balanced Running
- Strength Training for Runners
- All in the Balance
- The Tomahawk Medicine Ball Workout
As you can see, stability in running is important on many different levels.
Why do you think stability is important to running?
Chocolaterunsjudy 
I think stability and balance are so important. I do love my Mizuno Wave Inspire running shoes (stability) and try to do single-leg exercises in my strength routines.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do a lot of single leg exercises, too. But I don’t wear stability shoes.
LikeLike
You are right about stability. I do try to incorporate single leg moves as much as possible. I practice my balance by standing on one foot while brushing my teeth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do that while brushing my teeth sometimes, too.
Funny, I don’t find standing on one foot hard, but I do find some balance poses in yoga very hard!
LikeLike
This is something my coach works on with me on a regular basis! Runners tend to have weak hips, and we work on hip stability a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And of course yoga does a lot of single leg poses, too.
LikeLike
Single leg stability is super important. I do a lot of that in my yoga practice, and I know that it helps a lot when running. I can usually feel it in my runs when I let up a little on those exercises.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That single leg work is what I need! I need to get diligent about it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are so many things we need — it’s hard to do them all!
LikeLike
I wear both neutral and stability shoes. If I am injured or tired, I wear stability ones for more support.
I do have problems with single leg stability. That is the reason why they thought I wouldn’t be able to run. I can’t hop on that foot. My ankle is still what gives me problems but I can run!!!
I know I should exercise…someday,,,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, you definitely can run!
And I bet even that tennis once a week is more of a workout than you give yourself credit for!
LikeLike
I love my squats deadlifts and lunges…so important for runners!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good points! My trainer and I talk about balance and stability all the time and try to incorporate those workouts into our sessions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always (jokingly) say the my balance is my downfall. It has gotten much better since doing yoga, but still is kind of a joke. I do a lot of squats, but most are on both legs. Thanks for the reminder to do some single-leg work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Single leg squats are so hard! Probably one of my least favorite exercises, but I do them anyway.
LikeLike
That’s a great take on stability and three great points! I tend to think of stability and running as having a regular routine or a plan to follow. When my running gets sporadic, it starts to feel much more difficult and not as enjoyable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do enjoy my off season, tho, when I basically run when & how far I feel like it!
LikeLike
Single leg stability is so important and as you can tell from the picture I used in my blog post, mine can use some work!
Thanks for linking up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Debbie, single leg squats are super hard! I hate them but I do them.
LikeLiked by 1 person