I look tall when I run.
That’s what other runners tell me. At 5’2” I’m amazed to hear that my height appears colossal. I attribute it to good posture and great running form. But it wasn’t always that way. After an injury—hamstring tendinitis—threw off my stride and sidelined me from running for a year, I made certain tweaks to my gait to correct my foot strike. I also worked on my core for total body strength.
Which brings me to my daughter. While on a recent run together I noticed her upper body was completely out of whack. Her left shoulder dropped downward and she swung her arms across her body. I recalled that my husband sometimes runs with a similarly awkward gait. Was it possible that she had inherited—along with high foot arches and a dislike of country music—a slouchy running form? Quickly, I explained to her what I’ve learned from the experts at Runner’s World and RW advisory board member Dr. Richard T. Braver. While I was injured, Dr. Braver had me run while holding a baton in each hand. As he predicted, I knocked the batons together across my chest. My arm swing was inefficient; I was wasting energy.
I passed that information to my daughter, who tried the test on our next run. Using two spatulas instead of batons, her form improved in a matter of seconds and she appeared taller. The adjustment helped with her arm placement, which now landed between her chest and waistline—exactly where it should be. With a focus on driving the arms backwards, she was moving faster and her shoulder balance was in sync.
Next time you head out the door, think about standing tall with your shoulders back. Use your arms and relax your hands. You’ll return more energized from the run.
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Lori is training in preparation for the 2015 Marine Corps Marathon with the Runner's World Challenge (soon to be Runner's World VIP). To learn how you can be part of the RW VIP program, visit runnersworld.com/vip.
