Running Technique
A blog post from FreshFit MK
REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING MANTRA WHEN OUTRUNNING!
TOE UP HEEL UP KNEE UP REACH OUT CLAW BACK
Always remember a poor running technique results in a slower pace and increased risk of injury.
What Not to Do!
Heel striking – this acts as a braking action to your running as you will be striking in front of your centre of gravity. You then have to work on getting your weight back over this rather than using the claw back momentum to propel you forward. It also increases the stress on joints as you tend to land heavily.
Leaning Backwards- Ideally your whole body leans slightly forwards (not bending at the waist) if you don’t you are again braking your action and putting strain on your lower back. Also keep you head as central as possible.
Lateral Arms- Your arms should swing through in the direction you are travelling not across the body. If there is excessive lateral movement you will be twisting your whole body through your shoulders, causing joint problems, and wasting vast amounts of energy. Use the technique of turning your hands out (like carrying two trays) this will start to bully your body into learning this movement.
Sitting as you run- If your hips are not held high enough you will tend not to extend your stride as you should. It also makes it difficult to get significant knee lift and you’ll start running flat footed.
Pendulum legs – This is where you don’t lift your feet far off the floor as you don’t use your hamstrings much initially. This makes the knee lift virtually impossible.