Over the coming weeks, I'll be covering different aspects of running technique, including hip drive, arm swing and foot strike.
We're starting with posture, as it's the foundation of efficient running. It affects how we breath, move our hips, and where our feet land when we're running. Whilst perfect posture doesn't exist, we should aim to be 'running tall'.
So, what does 'running tall' mean. Visualise a piece of string attached to the crown of your head gently pulling you upwards.
In this position you want to aim for the following:
Looking ahead
Relaxed shoulders
Neutral pelvis
Slight forward lean from the ankles, rather than the waist
Common errors
Often we see runners do one or more of the following:
Looking down
Bending at the waist
Pelvis tipped forward with hips back
This leads to a less efficient posture and places more demands on your body. If the images below look familiar to you, then it would be worth focusing on this area of your technique.
Tips for efficient posture
The good news is that you can take some simple steps towards a more efficient posture.
If you need some inspiration for a core workout specific to runners, take a look here.
It can take 8-10 weeks to see changes in your technique so be patient and focus on being consistent. A good idea is to get a friend or family member to video your running at the start and then a few months later so you can see how you've improved.
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