Scott Jurek’s book Eat and Run inspired me to revisit my running form. In Eat and Run, Jurek mentions a book called Running With the Whole Body. I put it on hold at the library and can’t wait to get my hot little hands on it. I’ve read that it’s a little dated–we’re talking 1986 with a 1996 update (no Nook version for this one!). However, I am sure it has some very valuable info on improving your running form.
A few days ago I started running with my metronome app again to make sure that my cadence is at 180. I also want to work on using my arms and shoulders for more power and to make myself a more efficient runner. Using your arms correctly gives you more power and takes some of the work off your legs.
I have been thinking about form lately because I feel like I have had some recurrent issues with joint soreness and hip flexors that have led me to believe that maybe adjusting my running form could help. Doesn’t hurt to try right?
I know that tuning up my running form is going to require me to slow down a bit, and I’m okay with that. Today was a great 50 minute run. I felt fantastic–that, to me, is priceless. 🙂
For those of you that haven’t run with a metronome, I would definitely suggest it. I use an iPhone app from Steinway. Give it a try and see what you think!
Have you ever tried to tweak your running form? What happened (please tell me something good! 
)?
About 15 months ago I started running with a midfoot strike vs a heel strike. Fantastic improvements in my running. About 2 months ago I tried for a toe strike instead. I hurt my hip pretty bad. I didn’t do any prior reasearch though, so I probably did something wrong.
When I got fitted for my custom orthotics, I also had my running form analyzed. Found out I was doing a lot of things wrong, but my biggest problem was overstriding. I worked at shortening my stride, and since then I’ve gotten faster and had far fewer problems with injury. And now I really notice how much harder it is to run when your form is suffering – like at the end of a long run or race – and as soon as I start feeling like that, I concentrate on my posture and my stride, and as soon as I correct those things, I start feeling better. So much more efficient to run with good form. Lots of core work has made a big difference for me, too!
I have actually radically changed my form for the better over the past year and a half. I was a big ‘ole over striding heel striker and now I land mid foot under my center of gravity. My body is MUCH happier!
BTW–the thinking on 180 now is that it shouldn’t be set in stone. Yes, strive for that or higher, but don’t stress about the exact 180 number.