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What is good running technique?

runningtechniquebook.com

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Re: What is good running technique?

#31

Post by zw123456 »

shamney wrote: post #6
zw123456 wrote: post #4

I ran track in College (1976-1978) an my coach back then taught me correct form. I run at least 5 miles almost every day ever since and have never had a running related injury. I attribute this to learning correct running form early on. If you run more than 3 miles and have any pain at all you are probably doing it wrong.

what is "correct form"? and where is all the research demonstrating its success at preventing injury?

You can Google "proper running form" and get a ton of resources. I do think learning good form at a younger age helps, perhaps in a similar way that learning a second language is easier.

Re: What is good running technique?

#32

Post by hsitz »

bsaul wrote: post #25
rsync wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's ironic that it is IT band syndrome that caused this reaction, since that's by far the easiest running-related "injury" to solve. There is literally one magic-bullet stretch that will solve it completely - allowing you to go from excruciating "am I destroying my knee?" pain to pain-free in a few days or a week. Just a note: even if you don't ever return to running, that tightness in your hips and your IT is not g…

I'm in the exact same situation as parent. Except i skipped to biking. It seems to me that Foam rollers ( or in my case just stretching on a tennis ball) are good for relieving the pain a bit after you've stopped running. But what do you suggest to stop having the pain in the first place ?

To avoid pain run less distance at a slower pace. People generally build up way too fast. I had plenty of problems in my late 40's when I tried to run and went at it like when I was a kid. But when I slowed down and built distance up very slowly I had no problems. Now I run marathons and have averaged about 45 miles/week for 2014.

Regarding form, I would say it's not something you need to focus on. Do try to run as straight up as you can, like you're a marionette suspended from strings with your legs moving beneath you (probably same thing said another way as "pretend you're running on thin ice"). But other than that your body will mostly sort form issues out unconsciously as you very slowly ramp up running mileage.

Re: What is good running technique?

#33

Post by mattdw »

bsaul wrote: post #26
VeejayRampay wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What I meant is that the human species is naturally gifted for endurance running. We're not naturally gifted for underwater activities, we're not really designed for flying, but running at a moderate speed for long periods of time is something that we're naturally good at (and specific parts of our bodies are specifically designed in a way that helps with that activity). The reason why we need to read books and get i…

You don't really see animals running for hours in the wild. They sprint to hunt or survive, then they walk.

Humans tended to hunt animals to exhaustion. The sprinting predators you're talking about stalk in close then sprint to take down their prey; groups of hunter-gatherer humans have instead tended to chase animals a long distance at moderate speed until the animals drop from exhaustion. It makes it easier to take them down, when you consider that humans are not really going to be jumping on the back of a buffalo and biting its neck to kill it.

So you don't tend to see animals running for hours because that's a human speciality (among predators), and it's part of why we've been so successful as a species, despite our physical weakness compared to other predators.

Re: What is good running technique?

#34

Post by thret »

dominotw wrote: post #2

I recently developed 'IT band Syndrome' which made me say goodbye to boring/injury prone running and switch to swimming. Best decision ever. Fuck running. I don't know of single runner who hasn't suffered some kind of injury. Again fuck running.

Running really is horrible. Let's not forget marathons commemorate a guy who ran until he died. I don't quite understand the pleasure people get from it!

Having said that I run 2km daily. No more, no less, 'tis a bitter pill but with heart disease in my family I consider it worthwhile insurance.

Re: What is good running technique?

#36

Post by yarone »

shamney wrote: post #6
zw123456 wrote: post #4

I ran track in College (1976-1978) an my coach back then taught me correct form. I run at least 5 miles almost every day ever since and have never had a running related injury. I attribute this to learning correct running form early on. If you run more than 3 miles and have any pain at all you are probably doing it wrong.

what is "correct form"? and where is all the research demonstrating its success at preventing injury?

This is the best video I have seen on natura running form: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zSIDRHUWlVo

Also, The creator of the pose running method recently released a new book that details proper running form step by step with specific exercises and instruction:

The Running Revolution: How to Run Faster, Farther, and Injury-Free--for Life https://www.amazon.com/dp/014312319X/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_ZXiOub1...

Re: What is good running technique?

#37

Post by gtaylor »

dominotw wrote: post #2

I recently developed 'IT band Syndrome' which made me say goodbye to boring/injury prone running and switch to swimming. Best decision ever. Fuck running. I don't know of single runner who hasn't suffered some kind of injury. Again fuck running.

We inherited quite a few swimmers at a club sport in college, and most of them had had various kinds of shoulder issues. Not to mention the various ear, nose, and skin issues from the chlorinated water.

You can get hurt with any sport if you get unlucky on the genetic draw, or overtrain.

Re: What is good running technique?

#38

Post by pwr22 »

mikestew wrote: post #19
dominotw wrote: post #2

I recently developed 'IT band Syndrome' which made me say goodbye to boring/injury prone running and switch to swimming. Best decision ever. Fuck running. I don't know of single runner who hasn't suffered some kind of injury. Again fuck running.

If you don't like to run, then just don't do it. No one is asking you for a justification, so don't feel obligated to offer one. That said, after forty years of competitive running at various levels, I can recall one debilitating injury, a stress fracture. Yeah, let's blame that on running and not being a dumbass sophomore in high school who thought 95 miles/week was a ticket to success. But do what suits you as long…

Wow, that's a crazy figure (to me anyway). Have you ever written up your experiences anywhere?

Re: What is good running technique?

#39

Post by pwr22 »

zw123456 wrote: post #4

I ran track in College (1976-1978) an my coach back then taught me correct form. I run at least 5 miles almost every day ever since and have never had a running related injury. I attribute this to learning correct running form early on. If you run more than 3 miles and have any pain at all you are probably doing it wrong.

I doubt that 3 miles figure apples to an overweight couch potato

Re: What is good running technique?

#40

Post by burkaman »

rsync wrote: post #22

"How should I run" is a question that can only be asked by someone who doesn't run much. That sounds flip and snarky, so let me frame it in a personal way ... Years ago, when I started my martial arts training, I naturally asked a teacher about some details / techniques of a certain kick. He said "do that kick 5000 more times and then ask me that". So I did. And I had no questions to ask about it. That's the beauty o…

All of this comment is wrong, but I think the "pro tip" is especially important to correct. When you're close to exhaustion is when you most need to think about form, because the easiest default motions are not the most efficient. You'll find the path of least mental effort, not physical effort, and it'll cost you a lot.
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