Become a Better Runner — Without Adding More Miles

Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or just love to jog casually, I want to talk about something that might surprise you: mobility training. Yep, not just stretching after your runs, but intentional, targeted movement that can make you a better runner, without adding more miles to your weekly plan.

You’ve probably heard the classic advice: If you want to be a better runner, just keep running! And sure, mileage is essential. But here’s the thing: being great at running doesn’t mean you need to run yourself into the ground like Forest Gump (although, we all love that guy, right?). 

Most runners I meet already clock enough miles—some even more than they probably need—but their running could be so much more efficient if they invested a little more in what I call their ‘hardware’. And no, I’m not talking about the latest trendy shoes (although, those can be fun). I mean their joints, connective tissues, and the rest of the incredible muscular skeletal system that carries them through every mile.

A $400 pair of shoes won't save your ankle when you roll it in a pothole, but training for more robust ankles with targeted mobility work might - and it would certainly have you back running again much quicker.

Not convinced? 

Think of your body as a finely tuned engine. No matter how fancy your motor is, if you never take it to the garage for tune-ups or oil changes, you’re just throwing away performance, ripping around on a “full tank” while neglecting the parts that do the work. Over the weeks, months and years, that’s a recipe for setbacks.

I know what some of you might think: “Mobility work? Isn’t that just some low-effort recovery stuff?” Not quite. Done right, mobility training isn’t about just chilling on the floor and hoping things improve. Intentional, targeted work—at the right intensity—creates real change over time.

Here’s what consistent mobility training can do for you:

• Reduce Injury Risk: Improving strength in vulnerable positions helps your body adapt to sudden, unexpected forces when they arise.
• Increase Capacity: A mobile, well-functioning body with well organized tissue can better handle increases in training load, as your mileage or intensity ramps up.
• Enhance Running Economy: Greater strength and power output with less energy spent makes your runs more efficient and easier  to recover from.

As Haruki Murakami wisely puts it, if you’re going to run, then "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional."

Throughout June, our weekly LIVE KINSTRETCH class is designed especially for runners who want to optimize their joint health, enhance strength, and improve body control. 

Join us each week to start unlocking your full potential, Your body will thank you—mile after mile!

Sian Milne

(FRSC, FRCms, KINSTRETCH®)