In a running lesson with Andrew Howe, the champion joins the Virgin Active Revolution- Corriere.it team

“I have decided to stop doing athletics, but I will never stop training: sport will always remain an integral part of my life”. And, thanks to Andrew Howeit will become part of yours. The former Italian sprint and long jump specialist starts over from here: by letting you start. After the announcement, last winter, of his retirement as an athlete, eager (but not too much) for a change, here he is immediately back on the scene, this time as active part of the Virgin Active Revolution team, as live trainer in a series dedicated to running entitled «The ultimate runner»where he will bring his experience, his teachings and his secrets to train new runners and improve those who already practice this sport.

Everyone has their own Olympics

Having joined the Virgin Active Revolution team, the multi-device digital platform that allows you to experience an innovative fitness experience, with workouts treated as series and podcasts that allow you to perfect your performance, Howe will enrich the Revolution team as the protagonist of the new series «The ultimate runner» where, stepping into his new role as live trainer, he will share his invaluable experience, his professionalism and his technical skills in running with users who are passionate about running, contributing to the mission of the platform, which was born as a high quality sporting reference point. Silver medalist in the long jump at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, two-time European long jump champion and Italian sprinter, still today the holder of some records in his specialties, if you ask him what could be the meeting point between a former professional of his caliber, with his goals of excellence, and someone who struggles to cross the threshold of a gym, the 38-year-old from Rieti has no doubts: «We all speak the same language: that of the small, big goals of every day, whether it be to win a world title or “even just” not to throw in the towel after the first day at the gym . Weight loss, correct posture, well-being, physical performance, personal best: everyone has their own “Olympics” to win». And how to reassure those who may struggle to achieve their goal? «Don’t be ashamed, don’t feel inadequate because maybe you don’t know where to start, but don’t even exasperate your first workouts by doing a thousand exercises without criteria: always start from the basics, calmly and humbly. The approach for those starting from scratch must always be general, aiming for specialization only later».

Shorten distances

And it is from the basics, while adapting to all fitness levels, from beginners to more expert runners, that the series will start, designed for a crescendo in five episodes that they’ll see Howe personally lead workouts first through sharing the correct fundamentals for running, including footing, posture and breathing for body alignment. We continue by discovering how to improve the technique to increase speed and efficiency, and then delve into the strategies to increase resistance and overcome one’s limits, then receiving valuable advice from the former blue on how to maintain optimal physical condition starting from the perfect warm-up . Howe explains that the first training phase of anyone, both the professional and, even more so, the neophyte, should include a protocol of key exercises, starting with the roll of the foot, through which to focus on the individual phases of the race, almost as if we divided it into frames, focusing on one of them at a time to develop the right sensitivity of the movement: «Making these skills your own is not obvious: too many runners, even experts, run without a good technique: not only are they unable to maximize performance, but they risk even continuous injuries ». In the event of a forced stop, what is the advice of an athlete who has seen so many dreams vanish precisely because of physical problems? How not to lose focus and motivation? «The fundamental thing is to surround yourself with people who truly love you: there are many doctors, physiotherapists, coaches, but we need to find who really wants the best for us, and this is extremely difficult». Like your mother? “I got the best results when I trained with her.” What do those who have had such a personal relationship with their coach think of a digital training formula? «As far as possible, I will do my best to fill a remote training format with empathy, shortening the distances that separate me from my followers. No one is like mom, but even technology, just think of the providential enhancement of entertainment in the time of the pandemic, has made great strides to warm our hearts”.