Fitness Running – How to Improve Your Running Technique

If you are going to take your training seriously especially, if you are training for a marathon then you will need to improve your running technique. When you improve your running technique you will become a more effective, stronger and faster runner. This article will cover a technique that you should apply to make you a better runner. Changing your technique will not happen overnight, it will take time. During the first couple of training runs you will feel clumsy and uncomfortable. The important thing is to be persistent and it will come naturally. The first thing to look at is your posture or how you hold yourself. The thing you need to look at is the shape of your neck shoulders and back. The best way to find out is how your back looks when you are running. You can do this by asking a friend to record you while you are running. If this is not possible then ask someone to take snapshot of you from the side while your run past. Another technique you can use is the good old mirror. You will need a full length mirror such as a cabinet mirror. You then run on the spot and see what your back looks like. It is not as effective as the video or camera however, it will give you some idea about what you need to change. If you notice that you have a straight back then, this is usually a good sign. This is only a problem if it results in the rest of your body being tense and tight like a highly strung guitar. The thing to remember if your back is straight keep your neck, shoulders and arms relaxed. If you have a natural straight back this is fine however, if you feel that your running becomes strained then, just lean your back forward a little from the waist area to relax it. It is considered that the best posture to have when running is when the back is leaning forward slightly from the waist. Some runners exaggerate this posture by leaning too forward to the extent that you think they are about to tip over. The problem with leaning your upper body to far forward is that it can put undue pressure on your lower back area. The other problem is that your eyes tend to gaze towards the ground and if you’re not careful you could end up hitting a lamp post. If you find that you run this way then make an effort to pull your back forward. Another posture that people run with is when they lean too far back. Leaning too far back will affect your breathing, meaning you cannot breathe effectively. If you lean too far back then make the effort to move forward. People who tend to lean too far back also hold their lower jaw too high therefore, you need to lower this. Always seek a doctor’s advice if you have a medical condition before doing any form of new exercise.