Hi, this is Debbie Boyles, coach at Mojo for Running with episode number 86,

Balance and Propreoception for Runners, Part 2.

Last time we talked about the value of balance and the concept of proprioception.

Today, let's talk about the best drills and balance exercises you can do to improve both.

It's best, by the way, to do most of this training while barefoot.

And if not barefoot, then at least in your socks.

Let's start at the floor level with your toes.

Yes, your feet are key to balance and your toes play a critical role. If you don't think so,

try walking with your toes completely lifted off the ground. Our toes help us balance when they

bend at the base and splay. It makes sense,

then. If we want to maximize balance, then we should devote attention to making sure our toes

perform optimally. Now, at some point in the future, I plan to do a whole podcast episode about feet,

so I won't get too much into that now.

And when I do do that podcast, I'll also interview my good friend, Brian Fullum,

an outstanding podiatrist and an accomplished runner in his own right,

who has been treating world-class athletes, world-class runners,

for years, many years.

Anyway, look for that interview in the spring.

So let's talk about toes, though, today.

Toes are critical to balance, and I promise when I do talk to Brian Fullum, we'll ask

him a few questions about what we can do to strengthen

our toes and their role in the whole running gate. But for now, according to the University of

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