Improve your Running Technique - Today!

Running is one of the most natural activities for a human to do. We have run from when our time began, initially as a form of survival. To escape danger, to catch and kill our food, to get from one place to the next. However, in today's society, there isn't a survival requirement to run. We generally aren't running from lions, or indeed after them as our next meal, and given that we have transport to get us from one place to the next, our lives can easily become entirely sedentary. Unfortunately, as running isn't necessary for survival, the majority of the population choose the couch and the take away option instead.


There are of course though, millions of people who chose to run as part of their exercise routine. Some because they simply love to run, others because they feel they have to run to be fit, but whatever the motive, you can be sure that the majority of runners don't actually know HOW to run. Of course, you'd think that as it is a natural human movement we would innately know how to run. Unfortunately not. Modern day living has lead to anatomical and physiological adaptations that in turn lead to faulty movement patterns, which can be disastrous when running. The following guidelines are basic tips for anyone to follow which really can improve your running technique, leading to increased fitness and speed and reduced injuries.

• Land on the balls of your feet - This is below your toes, not on your toes and not on your heels.


• Increase your cadence and shorten your stride - You should run as though you are running on hot coals, attempting to lift each foot off of the ground as quickly as possible.


• Pull your foot from the ground - Do not push through the ground, your steps should be light and not heavy where you can hear each step pounding.


• Maintain correct posture - Always be aware of your body's position, head up, shoulders relaxed and back, do not bend at the waist.


• Maintain Flexibility and Mobility - Always stretch after a run. If your muscles are tight you are more likely to get injured and your running speed will be impaired due to a reduced range of movement in the muscles and joints.


• Wear Light Footwear - Your trainers should not be heavy with a thick sole, as if you are running correctly, you won't land on your heels!!!

Basic tips that can make a huge difference. If you are training with Vie, your running technique will be a feature of training, but to really see the difference you need to think about how you run, every time you run.