Man Up | Running Technique

Some of the greatest runners of all time had only one advantage: because they ran barefoot as children, they learned to land on the balls of their feet, not their heels.

Learn from them and you can run faster, easier, AND safer. (Yay efficiency!)

Allow the elastic tissue in your feet and legs to absorb the impact. This magical tissue is a wonder: it doesn’t fatigue, collect lactic acid, dehydrate or even use energy! (see the middle of this video)

It’s almost as if it was designed with running in mind - the kind of wonder-material that scientists dream of inventing. Good running technique makes use of this amazing equipment you’re born with.

But the technique most of us use now ignores this wonder of biology. Landing on our heels with our feet in front of us puts all the force onto the bone of our heels – directly into our ankles, knees and hips (watch some of this).

Start with what the experts say is the foundation of good running: landing on the balls of the feet and building a high stride rate (check out the first two minutes of this video). 

Like riding a bike, once the wheels – in this case your legs – are turning, it’s magic. And by magic I mean, efficient, fast, and smooth. Ready to roll over anything with a momentum that makes running a joy.

Fall in love with running (again), and do something nice in return for all the wonderful things your body does for you; learn about good technique.

Then go get out there springy ones.

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And let us know what you think! Do you have similar goals, views, styles, habits, propensities, etc? What’s your experience with running, technique, injuries? Let us know in the comments below.

Next up? The Power of the Checklist.

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Jonathan Maingot is a professional ski bum turned prospective writer and entrepreneur. When he's not banging his head against a wall at the difficulties involved in writing, he's likely on his cyclocross bike exploring his new backyard on Vedder Mountain in the Fraser Valley.