Brainsport Times Oct 21, 2015

We have an exciting demonstration coming up this weekend at the store. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, physiotherapist, Brad Spokes is going to be taking runners through the paces with the first-ever running power meter called Stryd!

In this week's Q&A Brad explains more about this new technology and what he has planned for this weekend.

Brad: I am a physiotherapist and co-owner of ZONE Sports Physiotherapy here in Saskatoon. I graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 2004. Over the past 11 years I have gained continuing education certification in acupuncture, IMS and was certified as a strength and conditioning specialist. Currently my caseload as physiotherapist primarily focuses on endurance sports injuries, especially in the running population. Over the past five years my role as physiotherapist has grown and evolved into the exercise physiology world, involving physiological assessments of endurance athletes, running gait analysis, bike fitting and exercise prescription for endurance athletes.

From an athletic standpoint from 1994-2012 I participated in triathlon racing in all distances from sprint triathlon to the Ironman in 2012. Through this evolution in the sport, I began informally coaching athletes in 2000 and have grown into more formalized certified coaching. In 2014 I became a Level 3 Competition Introduction certified coach for triathlon thru the NCCP. In 2011 we started a triathlon training group through the clinic, which has grown to each and every year and consists of athletes of all abilities from elite level triathletes to beginners. Through my coaching journey I have had the pleasure of working with athletes that have won overall titles in major Ironman 70.3 races, qualified for Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, and multiple qualifiers for the ITU world championship in both sprint and standard distance races, as well as just age-group athletes that are just simply looking to get their best personal performance out of themselves

Tara: Some readers may be familiar with power (watt) meters by way of biking. What is behind the technology and theory making it work for runners?

Brad: Stryd uses revolutionary sensing technologies to measure a runner’s movement through 3D space and tracks the environmental conditions of the run. Much like cycling watt meter, Stryd provides real time feedback in the form of an accurate power number. In the past runners have used a variety of metrics to estimate training intensity, including pace and heart rate. Pace is only an accurate representation of effort on level surfaces. Heart rate is a function of many variables other than training intensity, and it commonly lags intensity by three minutes. Power takes into account inclines and running form and gives almost immediate feedback on energy expenditure in watts. To understand power better let’s look more closely at what exactly power for runners really is. Power = Force x velocity. Force is measure by the impact that your foot puts to the ground. Velocity is the path that your body takes thru 3D space. So in its most simplest terms it is your running impact profile x your running form profile. Stryd breaks down the forces you put into the ground between those that contribute to forward progress and those which don’t like forces due to braking.

 
Tara: How will runners, both recreational and elite, benefit from this?

Brad: Running with power as a performance metric has four main benefits:

• Simplifying training by providing accurate training zones that take out considerations like terrain, wind, heat, etc.
• Appropriate pacing in races
• Real-time form feedback to hone your running form efficiency
• Chart progress

Tara: Have you, as a triathlete, been using the power meters for both cycling and running?

Brad: As an athlete I have used power as a training metric for seven years, and as I coach I recommend using a power meter to any cyclist that wants to chart and improve their cycling performance. For running the Styrd meter is brand new. Currently, there are only 100 coaches worldwide that have had access to this new piece of equipment, and those of us in Canada just received our less than a week ago. The running power meter is still in its infancy. The 100 of us that have access to this first generation are just starting to learn the power that it will have for our athletes and ultimate for runners in general for the future. There is no reason to expect that the running power meter will be any less for running than it was for cyclists. There is just simply no better indicator of performance. 

Tara: Who should come out to Brainsport and try it out? What's involved in giving it a test?

Brad: In my opinion, any runner will benefit by better understanding their own personal physiology, running style (form) and training zone parameters. If you want to improve as a runner, then come on down on Saturday and check things out. In terms of the technology, I feel that triathletes will be the early adopters to training with power for running, as they have already been exposed to it thru cycling. Runners will be a little more hesitant until they see the value in training with a new metric, but once they see the benefits of training with power it will be a game changer. 

What we'll be doing at Brainsport is putting a fewrunners thru a brief step test to determine their running paces/watt/HR training zones. Once those are determined we can then work on improving technical efficiency at their self-selected pace by altering key running form elements. There is so much noise out there currently on running form. Does running with an increased your cadence make you more efficient? Is it better to forefoot or rear foot strike? What about altering arm swing, or leg recovery? Should you land softer or harder? Using the Stryd power meter we can, in real-time, determine whether changes are making your more efficient, or not. In the end these runners will walk away with a concrete understanding of how they can improve their form, or if it is even necessary. 

Upcoming Events:

This year's Gingerbread Run has sold out — thank you to everyone who signed up! There's still lots of space left for volunteers. You can sign up on the event website or e-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 
Yoga For Runners

Runner specific yoga classes are getting underway in the Brainsport Community Room. Tuesday's at 7:45 - 9 p.m. from October 13 through December 1. Cost is $112 if preregistered by October 2 or $18 per class drop-in (if room available). Class size is limited. 

There is also a 6-week Yoga For Runners workshop on Wednesday evenings from 7:45 to 9:15 starting on October 19 - November 25. Registration cost is $120. 

Register for either by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text 306-251-2964. For more information click here. 

Day of the Dead Fun Run

Grab a headlamp and hit the trails at the 9th annual run. Enjoy a challenging short 5K (approximately) or long 10K (approximately) course at beautiful Blackstrap Provincial Park. The run starts at 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 1. For more information and to register, go to www.mudfirstracing.com or pick up a registration package at Brainsport. Early-bird pricing lasts until September 30.

SRRA Prediction Mile

This annual event is at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 7. Register at the Fieldhouse in Meeting Room #3 upstairs at 10 a.m. Members attend for free. Non-members pay $5.
Note: Participants will be timed. Do not bring your watch.

SRRA Annual General Meeting

Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the  Saskatoon Field House (Meeting Room #3, upstairs).