Runners help!

[GirlcalledJack]

I think I might be running wrong but I’m not sure where or who to go to to fix the problem.

So when I started running I was quite upright and I seemed to run quite up and down. I also got really tired really quickly and could only manage about a minute.
After about 2 weeks of running every other day I have noticed it is so much easier for me to run ‘from my hips’ more. So basically I am moving at the speed of fast walk/slow run and the movement is coming more from my hips (although I have my hips level all the time so not dropping a hip either side) I can tilt forward a little and find it easy to slip form a jog to a power walk. I have found jogging in this way means I can go for about 10mins before I’m knackered and have to stop.

In theory my ‘new’ running style is easier and better for me to actually be able to run a distance but I’m concerned my form is completely wrong and I’m doing massive damage to myself.

Can anyone help?

[TeddybearBaby]

Have you been to one of those shops where you have to run on a treadmill and they check your running style? Ultimately they’re trying to sell you trainers but they video your running style and are informative / seem to know what they are talking about!

[Jokie]

You could go to a store who checks your gait to see if you're running properly or you could see a specialist biomechanic who would analyse your running style and suggest improvements. Only issue with the store check is that they need to be good as every store offers it but some really aren't professional.

What are your trainers like? Have you had them too long? Are they worn out? That could also be affecting how you run.

[MacavityTheDentistsCat]

From the way you have described it, your new running form is correct. Running does come from the hips: your upper body should stay level and you shouldn't 'bounce'. Basically: if you were running alongside a wall and someone on the other side could only see your head, they shouldn't be able to tell if you are running or walking.

[TheBrainandPinky]

All I know is that when my gym instructor tells me to do high legs I can last about 30 seconds, as opposed to jog on the spot?
Are you trying to sprint rather than a slow jog?
I have never noticed my hips moving when I jog/run.
I can't quite understand what you're doing in either runs.

It makes sense that if you're doing high intensity movement, you won't last long, but low intensity movement is not as taxing so you can last longer.

[TheBrainandPinky]

A warm up might involve high legs and scissors, burpees, then you can run maybe for a half hour/10 mins/5 mins/20 mins, then you would typically do some resistance exercise, and then a warm down involving stretches.
Can you sign up to a gym and get into some classes or PT lessons?

[TheDarkPassenger]

I know exactly what you mean!! Except I start with the high back and when I’m about to die I do the hip thing and get another 10/20 mins out of myself! Or sometimes even enough to have relaxed enough to run tall again. I do prefer more of a sprint to a slow jog though so I don’t know if that makes a difference? Unsure if I’m causing damage to myself but I’ve been running over a year with breaks and not had any issues

[AllInADay]

It's best to keep your feet as low to the ground as possible. Up and down movements are wasteful, so concentrate on propelling your feet forward. Arms are important. Straight forward/back movement with them rather that swinging them across your body. Relaxed hands and fingers. Imagine yourself holding a crisp. It's amazing how exhausting tense muscles are if you're clenching your fist. You'll probably find that a slight bend forward of the upper body is better. Straight upright torso is for sprinting.

[rachelfrost]

Sounds like the up/down one is jogging and the ‘from the hips’ is running?

[TheBrainandPinky]

What is the 'hip thing'?

[GirlcalledJack]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

So far it hasn’t hurt or anything running more from the hips, in fact it makes it more comfortable I was just a little concerned I might be laughed at by proper runners of do my leek fan injury.

I haven’t been to a shop with the gait analysis although I suppose I could but I would feel bad not having any intention to buy the shoes etc.

I suppose it is sort of moving your hips more and maybe sticking your bum out a bit but still having a straight back.
It’s really hard to describe but my old normal running feels more ‘tight’ and less relaxed. There is definitely head bobbing with my old run style and it comes more from the calves I suppose, there is certainly not much movement from my hips whereas the new style is much more relaxed almost like flopping my feet in front of the other.

[GirlcalledJack]

Oh god sorry for the typo’s my phone hates me and I’ve been up since 4:00 this morning!

[TheDarkPassenger]

Hahaha I’m so glad you’re saying all this because I thought I’d discovered some weird thing with my body!!

It’s like rolling your hips sort of and I always feel like I look really silly doing it but I don’t think anyone notices!

[FusionChefGeoff]

A tip my physio gave me was to turn off headphones / music etc and just listen to your feet.

Or rather, don't listen to your feet. She said you need to aim to run as quietly as possible. If you are thudding down on every stride, that's not a good thing.

[Thatsnotmyotter]

www.jeffgalloway.com/learn/form-tips/

This should help OP.

Running shop gait analysis will only look at the way your feet hit the floor in order to reccomend a suitable trainer and proper gait analysis is £££

[Joey7t8]

Basically: if you were running alongside a wall and someone on the other side could only see your head, they shouldn't be able to tell if you are running or walking

This isn’t correct. Then difference between running and walking is that, when running, both feet are off the ground in mid stride. Your head should definitely be bobbing. Thins of those great camera shots they do at the beginning of the London Marathon or Great North Run with thousands of heads bobbing up and down!