When runners want to improve their speed, the go-to strategies usually involve tempo runs, interval training, and strength work. But what if the secret to shaving seconds - or even minutes - off your time wasn’t just about running harder, but moving better? Myofascial release therapy, especially when performed by a practitioner trained in Anatomy Trains, can be a game-changer for runners who want to boost their speed.
At Optimum Movement Centre, we specialise in helping runners unlock their full athletic potential through targeted myofascial release. Led by Johnny, who is trained in the advanced Anatomy Trains approach, we understand that fascia - the connective tissue that weaves throughout your body - holds the key to efficient, powerful, and fast movement.
What Does Fascia Have to Do With Speed?
Fascia isn’t just passive tissue - it stores and transfers energy during every step. Think of it like a spring-loaded suit that helps you run with bounce and efficiency. When healthy, fascia allows muscles to work together seamlessly, reducing wasted energy and enabling smoother movement.
However, tight or dehydrated fascia creates restrictions in this system. These restrictions:
- Disrupt neuromuscular timing
- Limit range of motion
- Reduce stride length and ground contact efficiency
- Lead to energy leaks that slow you down
If your body can’t move fluidly, it won’t run fast - no matter how strong your legs are.
How Myofascial Release Enhances Running Speed
Myofascial release is a targeted manual therapy that helps restore the optimal function of your fascial lines. It releases areas of restriction, rehydrates the tissue, and improves fascial glide.
Johnny uses the Anatomy Trains framework to identify which fascial lines are compromising your speed. For example:
- A locked-up Deep Front Line may reduce core engagement and postural control.
- Restrictions in the Lateral Line can impair lateral stability and lead to inefficient ground contact.
- Tight Spiral Lines can affect counter-rotation in your arms and trunk, reducing forward drive.
By addressing these specific patterns, myofascial release can:
- Increase stride length and power
- Improve foot turnover by reducing unnecessary tension
- Enhance coordination between the upper and lower body
- Support better breathing mechanics (also vital for speed!)
The Anatomy Trains Advantage
What sets our approach apart is Johnny’s training in Anatomy Trains - a fascial mapping system that sees the body as interconnected kinetic chains. This whole-body view allows us to go beyond the site of pain or tightness and target the true origin of movement inefficiency.
For example, if your left hamstring always feels tight, the real issue might be in your right shoulder or your foot. That kind of integrated thinking leads to faster improvements - not just in how you feel, but how you perform.
Your Personalised Speed Plan
At Optimum Movement Centre, we tailor your myofascial therapy to support your speed goals. That includes:
- Full-body fascial assessments based on running mechanics
- Manual release sessions targeting key lines of tension
- Follow-up guidance for mobility, strength, and fascia hydration
We also offer functional training sessions using our advanced MedX equipment to reinforce new, more efficient movement patterns.
Why Runners Trust Us to Get Faster
We’re more than just a recovery centre. We’re a performance partner. Athletes come to us because we:
- Address movement at the source
- Use evidence-based fascial mapping (Anatomy Trains)
- Blend manual therapy with performance training
- Help you reach your next gear - safely and sustainably
Ready to Shave Seconds Off Your Time?
If you're stuck at a plateau, battling stiffness, or want to add more power and efficiency to every stride, it’s time to look beyond workouts and into your fascia. Book your myofascial release session at Optimum Movement Centre today and let Johnny help you tap into your body’s hidden speed.
Because speed isn’t just in your legs - it’s in your lines. Let’s unlock them together