I agree about arm swing. Runners who tend to swing their arms in front of their chest are losing the opportunity to propel themselves forward with more energy and efficiency.
Thanks for this helpful commentary—I'll share it in my next newsletter. My take on form (having been a running coach for a big chunk of my adult life, plus recovering from injury now whose root problem is flawed biomechanics stemming from hip/pelvis)—I very much agree that runners, especially new ones, should focus more on building up consistent running, plus some strength training, to improve, and not focus too much on form; we run how we run, and it's pretty natural and hard to change any goofy characteristics. But as someone with not-great form (my legs turn out so I foot strike with "duck feet," and I tend to over-stride and do not engage my posterior chain in the most a beneficial way) I realize that I feel better and do not aggravate my IT band and knee problems when I remind myself of certain basics: good posture; run with core engaged (think: tailbone tucked under, eliminating arch in lower back); and a quiet, quicker, lighter foot strike. Try listening to the sound your feet make as you run on pavement; if you can quiet that sound with a softer landing, you'll generally be running with objectively better form. One last thing to keep in mind—one of the easiest, most beneficial "form fixes" involves arm swing. Runners often run with their arms looking frozen at their sides, or swinging side-to-side on front of their trunk, or with hands held high near chest like T-rex hands. A smooth, gliding arm swing promotes momentum and makes the lower body run better. Think of an arm swing with hands moving "hip to nip" (hip level to nipple level) or "cheek to cheek" (butt cheek to face cheek), and that arm swing generally leads to better running.
Thank you, Sarah, for chiming in and sharing your thoughts as a coach because I definitely am not one! This is super helpful. Been thinking of you, your family, your in-laws. Sending lots of love.
I agree about arm swing. Runners who tend to swing their arms in front of their chest are losing the opportunity to propel themselves forward with more energy and efficiency.
Thank you, Christine! Appreciate you sharing your thoughts here.
Thanks for this helpful commentary—I'll share it in my next newsletter. My take on form (having been a running coach for a big chunk of my adult life, plus recovering from injury now whose root problem is flawed biomechanics stemming from hip/pelvis)—I very much agree that runners, especially new ones, should focus more on building up consistent running, plus some strength training, to improve, and not focus too much on form; we run how we run, and it's pretty natural and hard to change any goofy characteristics. But as someone with not-great form (my legs turn out so I foot strike with "duck feet," and I tend to over-stride and do not engage my posterior chain in the most a beneficial way) I realize that I feel better and do not aggravate my IT band and knee problems when I remind myself of certain basics: good posture; run with core engaged (think: tailbone tucked under, eliminating arch in lower back); and a quiet, quicker, lighter foot strike. Try listening to the sound your feet make as you run on pavement; if you can quiet that sound with a softer landing, you'll generally be running with objectively better form. One last thing to keep in mind—one of the easiest, most beneficial "form fixes" involves arm swing. Runners often run with their arms looking frozen at their sides, or swinging side-to-side on front of their trunk, or with hands held high near chest like T-rex hands. A smooth, gliding arm swing promotes momentum and makes the lower body run better. Think of an arm swing with hands moving "hip to nip" (hip level to nipple level) or "cheek to cheek" (butt cheek to face cheek), and that arm swing generally leads to better running.
Thank you, Sarah, for chiming in and sharing your thoughts as a coach because I definitely am not one! This is super helpful. Been thinking of you, your family, your in-laws. Sending lots of love.