Is there a proper way to run

Rocker

Can't apply to me due to disability but out driving I passed someone 'running', actually more shuffling along, recently. Very poor style, little forward movement etc. Wondered if there is a 'correct' way to run. On your toes, knees up and so on. Running experts please clarify...

guitarfishbay

Yes.  Forwards is generally regarded as the direction to go with.

quarky

I am not an expert so not really qualified, but it hasn't stopped me before. 

IMO, land on the balls of your feet, and smaller faster strides are better than longer slower ones.

guitarfishbay

In all seriousness, yes, technique is important like with any other athletic skill.

This is a decent overview  http://www.runnersworld.com/run-faster/proper-running-form

If you buy running shoes from a specialist shop they will sometimes also offer a gait analysis as part of the service.

digitalscream

guitarfishbay said:

Yes.  Forwards is generally regarded as the direction to go with.

This is the problem with joggers. If you notice, you'll find that there's more vertical movement than horizontal. Most of the ones round here tend to only move forward at about 10% more than walking speed and expend most of their energy fighting gravity.

Happened the other day, actually - I was walking to the shop next door, and this jogger sort of bounced past me. After she'd spend about 7 or 8 seconds practically next to me, I just stopped walking because the delay in getting to the shop was easier to stomach than the discomfort of being totally aware of her try to boing her way past me at a snail's pace.

sinbaadi

It is known that a cycling style wheel like motion is the best running action- fast enough for it to become a blur.  Also, begin by hopping slightly into the air whilst running, then hovering on the spot with aforementioned blur, before accelerating with great ferocity.  This is typically the choice-technique.

guitarfishbay

digitalscream said:

guitarfishbay said:

Yes.  Forwards is generally regarded as the direction to go with.

This is the problem with joggers. If you notice, you'll find that there's more vertical movement than horizontal. Most of the ones round here tend to only move forward at about 10% more than walking speed and expend most of their energy fighting gravity.

Happened the other day, actually - I was walking to the shop next door, and this jogger sort of bounced past me. After she'd spend about 7 or 8 seconds practically next to me, I just stopped walking because the delay in getting to the shop was easier to stomach than the discomfort of being totally aware of her try to boing her way past me at a snail's pace.

I've always been told that if you can walk at that pace you shouldn't be running at it, as you're only knackering your knees.

axisus

There's loads of different ways, some suit some people, others suit other people.

I have two basic running styles: 1) chasing topless women 2) running from evil clowns. They are the same speed but one involves looking backwards a lot of the time.

fields5069

Jogging knackers the knees, running doesn't. :-)

You will see proper athletes running like they're taking long strides and landing on their heels, but they're going so fast that this is not the case. The best start I think is to increase cadence - steps per minute, to something around 90 per leg, i.e. 180 steps per minute. Your strides will either become shorter or you will die. Then concentrate on keeping as upright as possible - engage the core. I see lots of fit people who don't do this. Also keep legs at least slightly bent at all times. They should be providing some shock absorbtion, tendons acting as springs etc. Also try to keep vertical motion to a minimum.

BigMonka

There's much more popularity of bare foot running these days (or those shoes that feel like bare-foot) as it makes you run on the balls of your feet which is supposed to be more natural (like a child runs). For years the trainer manufacturers have been selling us super-padded-gel-filled trainers which encourage you to land on your heel and then roll through to your toes - turns out that they were taking us for a ride and we shouldn't have been told to run like that!
(something like that anyway, I'm no expert)

p90fool

Yes there are proper ways to run, depending on the pace and the distance, but that doesn't mean that individuals don't have their own personal style.

If you'd never seen Paula Radcliffe before you'd think she had a very awkward-looking style, well until you tried to catch her, anyway.

blueskunk

One leg in front of tother usually works  for me. Speed up and slow down as required. 

merlin

The proper way to run is around the pub. You can pop in for a quick refreshing ale every lap if you get tired. 

Sambostar

When you see a professional runner take off.  Someone who has had years of coaching and years of analysing their own millisecond by millisecond photo frames and working on their maximum efficiency and someone who has 38" legs, you don't hear a thing.  It's quite artful actually.

Gassage

If you run the same route regularly, one key thing is to alternate the way round you go- otherwise the pavement camber causes an imbalance.

Corvus

If the cops are behind, results are more important than technique.

axisus

Gassage said:

If you run the same route regularly, one key thing is to alternate the way round you go- otherwise the pavement camber causes an imbalance.

But I fall over running backwards?

quarky

guitarfishbay said:

In all seriousness, yes, technique is important like with any other athletic skill.

This is a decent overview  http://www.runnersworld.com/run-faster/proper-running-form

If you buy running shoes from a specialist shop they will sometimes also offer a gait analysis as part of the service.

I like this article too.

http://www.runnersworld.com/health/5-things-guy-runners-should-know-about-their-private-parts

Gassage

axisus said:

Gassage said:

If you run the same route regularly, one key thing is to alternate the way round you go- otherwise the pavement camber causes an imbalance.

But I fall over running backwards?

The best intro ever.

pintspiller

I can't run a bath.


I don't know why I replied.

Handsome_Chris

There is no proper way to run, unless you are a coward!!!  Stand and fight.  Be a man.