I should've done a vlog to show you just how irresistible and sexily raspy I sound today.
Thing is, my voice decided it doesn't like my body anymore and deserted me. I took a day off from work yesterday to try to recover, but the words "Rest" and "Julia" don't match quite as well as"peanut butter" and "chocolate". (But on second thought... does anything?) I failed and went to the gym. I mean... I was watching p90X commercials on TV all morning long... can you blame me?
While I wait for my throat to recover so I can actually breathe so I can run, I would like to introduce you to the first edition of "What do YOU think Wednesdays".
Every week, I'm going to share with you a piece of cyberspace that made me stop and think.... and I hope you can take a moment to stop and think with me too! I mean, two heads are better than one, four heads are better than three, ten heads are better than nine and a half... :) It'll be mostly running and health related stuff, but I'll mix it up every now and then with some spice, because gasp!I do think about non-running things as well :)
The first piece of cyberspace I am sharing with you is:
Running Tips: Your Stride Guide from self.com. I'm not a big fan of the magazine nor the website, (too much fluff, IMO) but I found this video to be really interesting. Gail Devers, an Olympian, analyzes the running form of regular people. Check it out:
Most videos I've found analyzes the form of good runners. Problem is, I am nowhere NEAR being a good runner. But this video: I can relate to these women, and I actually saw some of my own mistakes being pointed out.
For instance, like Shira and Missy, I run way too upright. I read somewhere that you should lean forward slightly from your ankles. I've been trying this lately, and I find that it does make me faster with less effort. I need to continue to make this a habit. Fast is good. :)
Gail also mentions that you need to keep your feet flexed while analyzing Tiffany. I have never heard this nor tried this. Any thoughts?
Another aspect I am trying to focus on is hip strength. Though Gail doesn't touch on it directly, I notice that if I lose even a little focus, my hips start swaying. I have been keeping up with my new year's resolution to work on hip strength at least twice a week, and I hope to build up enough hip strength so that I can run faster and more safely.
So here's the part where you come in:
- Do you identify with any of the runners in the video?
- Do you have one particular form issue you are working on?
- What are your thoughts about the whole keeping your foot flexed thing?
good post. I had a vetern runner (and running shoe store owner) look at my shoes (accident I brought them in to make sure I got the exact pair again!). He said I hit the pavement perfect and I don't pronate. I have also got a compliment that my form stays the same even when I'm tired but, I think I am more aware of my form because someone was very rude to me once after my first half and told me I had terrible posture and that if I would have trained with them they would have told me but because I decided to run with the local running club it was there responsibility to tell me....nope not still bitter about that one or anything. I didn't care much for the video (from what I could get it to play). Good post!
ReplyDeleteWell, I know that I will be really paying attention to my run form tomorrow! But that actually was a pretty good video - lots of good tips and pointing out common errors with normal people :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletei did P90X yesterday and im in so much pain today. it'll be worse tomorrow but its the best pain EVER!
ReplyDeletei dont really pay attention to my form- besides my arms. when i run i have chicken wings... besides that people have told me i run with beautiful form (WHAT)!?? yeah-- thats what i thought... my mom always loves watching me run cuz its so pretty she says... but maybe thats becuase she has to say it! LOL :)
I have horrible form! Thanks for sharing the video :-)
ReplyDeleteI need to work on concentrating on my stride when I get tired. I let myself go in swim/bike/running when I start fading and it needs to stop! But I can only focus on it for a couple minutes before I start thinking about something else, ADD much?!
ReplyDeleteSorry about being sick but I'm sure you are workin' that raspy voice. ;)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting video. I honestly have never even considered my running form. I had a physical therapist tell me once that I had a good stride (which had me on cloud 9 that day!) but I never thought about form past that. I'm totally going to try leaning forward but I'm not so sure about the foot flex thing. I could see myself overthinking it, overdoing it, and ending up injured.
Thanks for the informative video!
Thanks for sharing the video. I know my form is not that great, I need Gail to swing over and analyze. She does share some great tips.
ReplyDeleteI also run far too upright and if I am sprinting during a speed workout or at the end of a race, I actually lean slightly BACK. How's that for inefficient! I'm trying to work on it but it's amazing how hard it is to change a habit.
ReplyDeleteI'm taking Walgreen Generic Cold Multi-Sympthom. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon!