Tag: running form

Is a good running form needed to win a race, or is it just one factor in how you have adapted to running?

Is a good running form needed to win a race, or is it just one factor in how you have adapted to running? Is there a good running form?   Many coaches may suggest how to run but does science prove that a certain running form is good for everyone?  Recently, Runners World Magazine explored this idea. Many marathon winners such as Paula Radcliffe have peculiar running forms, yet, they win marathons.  Sure, Priscah Jeptoo who is a silver medal winner at the Olympics marathon in 2012 had horrible knee form, yet she is a winner as well. While I Read More »

6 Running exercises you can do now to improve your strength, running form and speed.

6 Running exercises you can do now to improve your strength, running form and speed. We are at the beginning of running season, and as the weather warms, many of you have no doubt signed up to do a local 5 or 10k.   Most running problems develop due to a lack of strength or poor form, and often these problems develop later on during our runs while we are warmed up.  Unfortunately, many of us may not notice a problem until later on after the run. Running exercises can improve your strength, endurance and speed. Here are 6 exercises you can Read More »

Run faster by swinging your arms more efficiently says the NY Times; Three tips to help you run more efficiently.

Run faster by swinging your arms more efficiently says the NY Times; Three tips to help you run more efficiently. Run smarter, rather than harder is what I tell our patients when we do treadmill evaluations in the office. There are great variations in how people use their arms as they run, and some variations end up slowing us down or even may be responsible for stitches we feel in the diaphragm. When we run, we will stride and then counter stride. If one leg tends to stride unevenly, as seen in those who are built asymmetrically (we have proven Read More »

Forget about the feet, good running form starts with the hips according to Running Times Magazine

Forget about the feet, good running form starts with the hips according to Running Times Magazine Running form has a lot to do with whether we experience running injuries, have chronic problems from running and are able to run fast or slow. True, the type and shape of your feet have a lot to do with how you naturally learn to use your own body when you run. Also true is the way we run is often affected by those compensations we make to our own body style which I believe is why many of us lift our shoulders which Read More »

Is there a dark side to changing running technique? Changing from heel strike to mid foot may create some unforseen problems.

Is there a dark side to changing running technique? Changing from heel strike to mid foot may create some unforeseen problems. There are a number of authors who have recommended a mid foot running technique. There a number of authors who have advised against this type of change. Whom should you believe? Many of us begin running based on informal training, as we accommodate to what we do naturally. Sure, methods such as Zen focus on more mid foot and a different type of gait with shoes on, while others insist we should all be running barefoot. Is there really Read More »