Join me as I travel around the country to fulfill my goal of running a marathon or half marathon in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

New Blog Reveal and "Good Form" Running

I don't mean to brag, but is this not a baller-status blog now? Take a look around. I added some pages at the top, changed my background and added a personalized header. Let's talk about that header. I am not lying when I say that it was take 20 before I got that photo. The 19 before looked something like this:
What am I doing?! The hokey pokey?!
Did you get a copy of Runners World this month (the June copy)? Turn to page 90 (the article about "The Elements of Good Form"). Does this picture look like the diagram? Not.one.stinkin.bit.

This has me a little worried. Have I been running wrong for three years?! I know I'm a slower runner, and my stride is definitely not long, but I feel like it shouldn't have been such a foreign feeling to get that good picture that is now my header. It was seriously difficult and an awkward feeling and there is no way I could have kept it up for more than 15 strides.

I know there are things that are golden rules of form, like heel strike is BAD, but what do you guys think of all the other rules? Is there just one specific form that everyone should look like?

Landing on a specific part of your foot and holding your arms a certain height sound good, but then you have people like Pete Rea, a North Carolina running coach saying "For most people, I don't know if focusing on form is of great benefit."

So, what's your verdict?

16 comments:

ashley said...

Blog looks great!! In theory perfect form sounds good, but the thing is we all have imperfect bodies, alignment, etc so I think u have to find your own adjusted version of the perfect stride

Stephanie F said...

blog looks freaking good. my form sucks. thanks for the reminder.

Kurt @ Becoming An Ironman said...

I agree with Pete. People seem to focus so much on form thinking that there is only one way to run fast.

Did you see the Boston Marathon? Kim Smith for 20 miles or the Kenyans in the last 5 miles... Horrible! I think you should be willing to experiment with form to see what might work better for you, but not everyone is the same.

I like the new look!

Britt @ Chicago Runner Girl said...

Your new blog digs are great! I love the layout and design.

I wouldn't get too bent out of shape about your form. Great form doesn't always equal speed. I'm a heel striker and I know this and really don't care because my body seems to be fine with it...most of the time.

Julia said...

love the new blog look! i try to stick with the idea that our bodies will take on the natural form that is best for it...but I have noticed lately that I heel strike some and I would like to stop doing that!

Megan said...

OMG! Love the new look!!

alisonds said...

Blog looks awesome. I love it, well done! As for running, I'm still struggling to breathe when I run so no advice here I'm afraid! x

Annette@(running)In the Right Direction said...

Blog looks awesome. I read that article also and its been harping on me ever since...I think it is good to think about your form during your run...and to do YOUR best form but to change it would be crazy because not everyone is alike...change it meaning to be like someone elses or perfect.

Unknown said...

My dad reads those 'chi' running books about form, but for me I cant focus on form, I just do what I do and well its worked out pretty well for me so far. haha.
http://beboldrunwild.blogspot.com/

ruth said...

sam, just found your blog and LOVE it. great job on the header. I think its something like

1)stand up straight, then bend forward at the ankles with feet planted on the ground till they have to move to prevent you from falling, and that should give you a natural, slight lean
2) keep arms close to your body and not wildly swinging back and forth and across your body. i think the focus is supposed to be on keeping your elbows kicked back but your arms otherwise relaxed.
3) I have a TERRIBLE heel strike, but the best remedy I have found is standing tall and then rotating my legs like I am on a bike (circular motion)

I only know this crap because I went to a form workshop a few weeks ago and its still fresh in my mind :) but like i said my form sucks. I think I have the worlds most perfect heel strike. maybe that stuff helps running/avoiding injuries? who knows.

I like running barefoot for a little bit each week, since thats what I feel is most "natural". maybe. your 50 race challenge is awesome! I Am your newest follower!

Alyssa said...

The new header is fantastic! Worth the 20 takes! I haven't read the article yet but I pay no attention to form so I am guessing mine is not the greatest :(

healthy ashley said...

I love the new look!!

gloryrunning said...

totally baller status. LOVE the new look!

Richelle said...

I definitely like the new look of your blog. I've been working on striking mid-foot, not with my heel, but sometimes I lose focus of my form and it goes back to what it was before.

A Prelude To... said...

My form never seems to change to much. However, my friend is trying to get me odds and ends chi running tips whenever I see him. Some of it sticks. I noticed myself doing some things differently on yesterdays run and could feel how it improved the feel of my run.

The Green Girl said...

Yeah, it's really, really hard to get good action shots. Congratulations on a successful one!