Let’s talk running form. Most of us would probably be shocked to see how we truly run, either from behind, front or side. I have actually been to a running specialist and had myself filmed to see what was causing the pain I was feeling. I don’t have that amount of time, money or opportunity now, so here’s some quick tips for keeping good form.
- Keep shoulders loose and away from you ears
- Chest open so lungs can expand for more air
- Run tall and relaxed
- Arms bent at your sides with hands cupped (act like you are holding a butterfly!)
- Avoid heel striking when possible and land directly under your hips
- Eyes up and looking forward. Neck relaxed.
- Engage your hamstrings and butt. Our quads take the blunt of our running mostly due to miles over time or improper form.
***A note on running up and down hills:
Uphill
- Keep your stride short and your knees up when running hills. This will increase your strike frequency and hopefully leg speed. Think - Short choppy steps.
- Stay on the balls of your feet and bounce off your toes for momentum.
- Keep your body straight. Avoid leaning forward or hunching over, which can feel like a natural thing to do. Pretend your head is being pulled by a string straight up into the sky.
- Keep your upper body relaxed. Try not to tense up your muscles.
Downhill
- Try not to “put on the brakes” when running downhill.
- Keep your stride similar to running on a flat surface.
- Continue to stay on the balls of your feet
- Be conscious of your form and how you feel. A lot of times we see a hill (either uphill or down) and we mentally change how we run. Stay the course and let your comfortable stride set in.
No comments:
Post a Comment