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Running (and Walking) Posture Cues




RUNNING POSTURE

I get this question a lot with my running clients. "How am I supposed to land and hold my body when I run?" (PS - totally applies to Walking, too!)

This is a complex discussion, but luckily, there are a few simple things that can start you in the right direction!

1 - Look UP! Simple as that. I bet it's not your normal default, though. So, give yourself time & grace to make the change. Looking up (with your eyes... not by over-extending your neck) will help keep your center of mass from being too far forward.

2 - Focus on Your EXHALE. So much attention is on the inhale... Where should it go? ... How do I get more? But, the first step to getting more air in is to get all the air OUT first. Plus, when we hold too much air in, it keeps our front lower ribs flared. This keeps your center of mass too far forward. Try it when you're NOT running. Blow ALL AIR OUT and feel your weight shift back.

3 - PULL the Ground Underneath You. This is a mind-trick, but it works! Often, running (and walking) is pictured as pushing the ground away through our toes. This encourages early toe-off, an upward force (vs forward) and underuse of our big, powerful hamstring & glutes. Instead, imagine the ground is a "stuck treadmill" or one of those rolling logs and use your WHOLE FOOT to pull the ground underneath you. This will keep you grounded, activate more of the larger muscle groups and match up your footstrike with your center of mass.

Want more tips? Lucky you!😊 I've created a FREE Top 10 Tips for Runners document that is sure to be different than tips you've heard in traditional forums!


"Set yourself up to run 'til your LAST days, by what you do TOday."

💗, Kristen

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