Running is natural for everybody, but not everybody has the best form to prevent injuries. Some people have heavy footsteps and heel strike, while others tense up and swing their arms sideways. Working on your running mechanics not only helps you avoid injuries but can also help you run farther and faster.
Check the Landing
Where and how you land are very important. Overstriding and landing in front of your body can lead to heel striking, which can cause shin splints. For optimal running, you want to run on the balls of your feet and land under your body.
Relax and Stay Inline
Tensing your body and swinging side to side wastes energy and can mess with your balance. Keep your body relaxed and your arms swinging straight. A good way to remember this is to keep your arms on their respective sides of the body — don't let your hands cross the midline, and keep the fists relaxed.
Stay Tall
Keep the core engaged, shoulders back, chest out, and eyes up. Doing these four things even while exhausted keeps your body upright and avoids hunching over or leaning too far forward.
Why It Matters
If you can run comfortably and without pain, why does all this matter? Efficiency. Better form leads to more efficient running, which leads to running farther and faster. While there is no one-size-fits-all in running form, these general guidelines can lead to more efficient running.
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