How to Improve Your Running Form: The 5 Biggest Mistakes Beginning Marathoners Make

[drjjj5]

thank you so much im a sophomore in highshool and i been running xc and distance track for about a year and ive had so much pain in my ribs and thanks to you guys i have completely change my form and i feel no more pain so really thx you

[balancedrunner]

TheSevenhats and anyone else who wishes to ask a question about your specific injury or problem: we feel very complimented that you respect our expertise enough to ask, but it's just too difficult to answer most of these kinds of questions without carefully analyzing your running. Our best recommendation is to do your best to follow the general principles of healthy running form without forcing it or doing anything uncomfortable, and if problems arise, see a professional.

[TheSevenhats]

I started running for the first time doing the couch to 5k plan. After a few runs I developed pes anserine bursitis in my left knee. It has been very painful. I did have old shoes which I have since replaced. What else might have caused this?

[Jews0nIce]

I make a loud noise when I run. Like im stomping my feet. Im not flat footed or anything. Wondering if this is normal lol..also my back hurts after running for 10 minutes.

[balancedrunner]

Pathfindercrasher, we're so glad to have helped! Thanks for writing and letting us know. I'll tag as you suggest.

[pathfindercrasher]

Oh, special request? :) Please add Army to your TAGS. Im sure my fellow Army buddies will appreciate finding your video when they look up running because of how helpful it is. Thank you again :)

[balancedrunner]

Yes, jp70117, this is obviously not the kind of training "guidance" you get in the military. But it's worth bearing in mind that some of the best research on running footwear, orthotics, and injury has been done by the Army. They're doing all that research because running injuries are a real problem for them. So if you're in the military you might not have much choice about listening to your body, but if you're not, I wouldn't recommend copying the military approach.

[pathfindercrasher]

@balancedrunner Its "possible" the best research is done by the Army on 'equipment' but i can honestly tell u 'TECHNIQUE' is something we need. It's fitness and heart...BUT...technique and brains can prove more effective. Thank you ladies for a great comprehensive, clear and VERY informative video. I found ur video looking up the 'Pose' method of running and you two just nailed it...makes sense now. I look forward to carrying out my military duties with lesser injuries :)

[jp70117]

"Never run through pain." Try telling that to a Marine Corps drill sergeant.

[843andrew]

@jp70117 lol

[maoryzae]

Excellent video! Very well-illustrated and explained!

[laviniaplonka]

It's really amazing to see the changes in the quality of running when you make choices that create difficulty. Then challenge is to sense and "see" the habits that get in our way. Thanks for a clear demonstration of some of the most common "mistakes."

[balancedrunner]

Thanks for that great observation. We've been doing this for years but are still amazed by how much changes in, for instance, the upper body affect the legs, and it is really striking to see this in the video. Too many people try to just change their legs, especially their footstrike, without changing anything else, but that really doesn't work. Ditto for changing just your arms or your head. Everything affects everything.

[prognob1]

Will you tell me how Feldenkrais Method is involved with this explanation, please? My understanding of Feldenkrais is not to stick with any fixed idea. Denying all those five mistakes seems to deprive me of any chance to find out for myself. That opposes what I learned during ATM all those years.

BTW, during our advanced training Mia Segal said "You can learn only through mistakes." That is my understanding of Feldenkrais Method and I love the idea.

[balancedrunner]

@prognob1, we love that too. Being Feldenkrais practitioners means we give our clients an experience so they can feel how to run in a way that works for them – including trying many different options, some of which may not work. Experience and experiment are the only way to really learn.

You don’t have to take our word for anything, you can turn this video into a learning experience by trying the mistakes as well as what we recommend.

Thanks for your comments and for subscribing.