FitSugar

10 Tips to Improve Your Running Technique

Shape — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 04:58:44 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape, here on FitSugar.

Don’t Run Heels First. Avoid striking the pavement with your heels - save that for your power walks. "When you walk, you keep one foot in contact with the ground, while running has a moment of weightlessness in the stride," says Alex Figueroa, a running coach and creator of Priority1 Wellness in Miami Beach. Running with a heel landing can contribute to back and knee pain.
Do Land on the Midsole of Your Foot. Landing on your forefoot (instead of your heels) allows your muscles to catch the weight of your body in flight, reducing the effects of impact on the joints and bones, says Figueroa.
Don't Use a Long Stride. Leaping forward while you run is inefficient and an energy drain. Instead, stand tall and lean forward, and when you feel like you are going to fall, step forward just enough to catch yourself. This should be the length of your stride. It takes less energy to fall than to reach your foot in front of you.

Read on for seven more tips to improve your running technique.

Running Tip: Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:58:36 PDT

When your mom told you stand up straight, you probably had no idea that she was also helping your running technique. Running efficiently and pain free has a lot to do with your posture. Keep your head in line with your spine, your shoulders relaxed, and your torso over your hips. A simple way to stack all these body parts one on top of the other is to gaze naturally at the horizon as you move forward. Adjust your eyes and chin so they are parallel with your body. It's tempting to look down at the ground or gaze at the peak of an upcoming hill, but this can overstretch your neck and cause your shoulders to hunch up toward your ears. Not only will gazing at the horizon prevent pain during and after your run, but it'll also make your workout easier.

There Really Is Not One Right Way to Run

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:00:00 PDT

When it comes to endurance, long-distance running as opposed to sprinting short distances like Jamaican gold medalist and record breaker Usain Bolt (100m, 200m), there is not just one way to run.

There are many techniques out there and almost as many variations as there are runners. When watching the men's marathon (yes, I watched the men's marathon, which I guess establishes me as a running geek even if my weekly mileage doesn't), I kept using my DVR to pause the action and try to figure out where these elite runners strike: heel, midfoot, or toe. The answer is all three. The same goes for arm motion and torso placement - the variations are endless. I have been experimenting with where my foot strikes and I shared this information with a running-shoe specialist. I was surprised to hear him say that I would just be trading one type of injury for another as I transitioned from heel strike to hitting the pavement with my midfoot. Ahhhh, I thought, so there really isn't one way to run.

The New York Times broke down some of the pros and cons of different running patterns and for the highlights just

Toe running: Running on just the forefoot means the calves absorb the shock of the impact. Calf-strengthening exercises are recommended and this style adds wear and tear on the Achilles tendon.
Heel striking: American marathoner Deena Kastor is a heel-to-toe runner, and in this style of running a shoe that has a soft midsole can create a loss of power in the stride.
Control: No matter what part of the foot hits the ground first, it is how hard the foot hits that matters. The foot should be controlled into the ground, not slammed.
Stride length: Most runners naturally fall into their most efficient stride length.
Arm carriage: The running efficiency of runners tested with their arms tied behind barely changed, so swing your arms as you may!

Runners with smooth, graceful running win races. Runners with bobbing heads win races. Runners who hold their elbows out like they are doing the funky chicken win races. The take-home message for me, a runner who hopes to keep on running rather than win gold, is to do just that - keep on running and not sweat the small stuff (pun intended).

Source

Running Technique: Where Do You Strike?

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:30:00 PST

Runners have an ongoing debate about technique and what part of the foot is better to land (strike) on.

Some say landing on the heel of the foot prevents injury to the calves and Achilles tendon, and is great if you're running long distances. Other runners say that landing on the ball of the foot is easier on your knees and other joints and that it makes you feel lighter, which is great when you are sprinting or trying to run faster. Others land on the middle of their foot, because that's what comes naturally for them.

So I want to know about your running technique. Where do you strike?

Source

What Is the Deal With: My Upper Body When I Run?

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 10:30:00 PST

Running...it seems like it should be the most natural thing in the world to do, but like all good things there is technique. What to do with your upper body can get confusing, since it is just riding on the legs that are doing all the work.

Here are some tips on running form:

Your torso should be upright, with chest up and plenty of room for the diaphragm to work correctly. You're going to be breathing heavy so make it easier for your lungs and diaphragm to work.
Do not lean forwards (aka bend at the waist or hips - I see lots of folks craning forward at their waist or hips), backwards or slouch, as all of these lazy postures can stress your lower back. Using your deep abs can help you keep upright and run properly.
The shoulders should be relaxed with elbows bent to around 90 degrees and the motion should be from the shoulder not the forearms ( no floppy rag doll arms). Arms should swing freely with the action mostly front to back.
The hands should be held with the palm facing inwards not down. If you prefer to hold your hands in a fist make it a loose fist with the thumb resting on the index finger.

Of course when you are running, it is always better to not over think the action. Do check in on your running form every few minutes until the habits become natural.

Challenge Your Run: 4 Training Techniques Every Runner Needs

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:16:04 PDT

Whether you're a beginner or have a few marathons under your belt, every runner can benefit from a little extra training. Here are four techniques to incorporate into weekly workouts that will make you stronger, faster, and more efficient on your feet.

Intervals
Running at a consistent pace is great for longer training runs, but make workouts more intense by doing intervals. By alternating between running a few minutes at a moderate pace and throwing in bursts at a quicker pace (or even sprinting), you'll burn more calories, build endurance, and become a faster, stronger runner. Not to mention, intervals have also been proven to fight belly fat. Here's a 30-minute treadmill interval workout for you to try.

Hills
Doing hill work on inclines targets your thighs, calves, and booty, so aside from giving you the tight tush you always wanted, your stronger lower body will make you a faster, more efficient runner. Doing hill work also burns more calories and strengthens the calves which is one way you can help prevent the dreaded shin splints. Here are tips for incorporating hills into your run.

Keep reading to find out two other techniques all runners should incorporate into their workouts.

Run Strong: How to Tone Your Butt and Thighs Even More

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:27:24 PDT

Running is not only an awesome form of calorie-burning, heart-pumping cardio, it also doubles as a strength training workout for your lower body. Run and you'll quickly see how it can tone your tush without bulking up your booty. Want to get even more out of your runs? Incorporate these strength training techniques and you're sure to notice a difference when you slip on your bikini bottoms.

Source: Thinkstock

Tina Fey Shares Memories of Her Skinny and Chubby Years

Susi May — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:56:14 PDT

Happy Birthday to our fave funny lady! Tina Fey turns 42 today. We've been fans of the actress, writer, and comedienne since her early days on Saturday Night Live. Like many of us, Tina's weight has fluctuated over the course of her career, and to mark her birthday, we're sharing some of her funny quotes from juice cleanses to body image.

Before making the leap from writers room to on-camera talent, Tina followed the pragmatic Weight Watchers program to drop pounds. But that doesn't mean she hasn't dabbled in more extreme techniques to lose weight. She explained to Jimmy Fallon, "I don't really believe in those [cleanses] - your body's not like a purse. You're not supposed to turn it inside out and shake it. But I was like, 'Oh, I don't care. I just need to jump-start this.' So I tried it." After an allergic reaction caused her lips to swell, she abandoned a juice cleanse. Go figure.

These days, Tina works out with trainer when she can fit a session into her hectic schedule, and if she can't, she takes a walk. She's even become a fan of yoga and the superfood kale.

Before settling into her healthy weight, Tina experienced both sides of the weight equation and shared her memories of these phases in her book, Bossypants. In two short, consecutive chapters, she explains the positive and negatives of the different times. Keep reading for a brief excerpt after the break.

Why Running Isn't Helping You Lose Weight

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:30:56 PDT

You started running months ago, yet every time you hop on the scale, you're let down by the results. What gives? While running does burn mega calories, here are some reasons you may not be seeing the weight-loss results you're after.

Postrun Pig-Outs
Burning tons of calories can cause a famished feeling afterward, but it's important to fuel wisely. Choose junk food as your recovery food and not only are you overdoing it on the calorie front, you'll be hungry again in the next hour. Although a postrun snack is essential, make sure it's packed with protein and filling carbs, and do not exceed 150 calories. If you exercised before a meal, enjoy a sensibly portioned plate, and don't go overboard as a way to reward your efforts. If you still find you're utterly famished after a workout, it probably means you need to fuel up before you exercise, so enjoy one of these pre-workout snacks before heading out for a run.

You Don't Run Enough
If you're running and not seeing results, take a look at your calendar. Doing one 45-minute run once a week, or a couple 20-minute runs won't burn enough calories to lose weight. In order to lose a pound a week, you'll need to ditch 500 calories each day, through a combination of diet and exercise. If losing weight is your goal, run three to four times per week and incorporate other forms of calorie-burning cardio on the other days.

Keep reading to find out why running isn't helping you lose weight.

3 Ways Walkers Can Benefit From Going Barefoot

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:57:41 PDT

If you're into running, there's no doubt you've heard the buzz about barefoot running. It's become trendy for a reason: running barefoot can help you have better form and technique, preventing injury and pain. Runners aren't the only ones who can benefit from ditching their footwear. If walking is your exercise of choice, here are some reasons you'll want to try going barefoot.

Active and engaged muscles: Slipping on shoes may protect your feet from dangers, but it also means the muscles in your feet don't have to work as hard. The cushioned sole of a shoe absorbs all the sensations and pressures, which means your feet have become more passive over time. Because weak muscles are more prone to strain, pain, and injury, walking barefoot allows you to engage your body more, making feet stronger and better able to handle workouts.
Better walking form: One way a walker can have incorrect form is by roughly pounding the ground with each step. Cushiony sneakers absorb the force, so you're not even aware that you may be walking incorrectly. Remove your shoes and you'll instantly walk lighter, causing less jarring impact on your joints. Even though walking is considered a low-impact sport, it's still hard on your feet. Improving form means less risk for injury.
Busting through the walking plateau: Walking the same way, day in and day out, means using identical muscles every time you head out for a walk. Your body quickly strengthens the muscles in use, easily adapting to the demands placed on them. Without the opportunity for new challenges, muscles won't become stronger and can actually become injured from overuse. Walking barefoot forces your body to use other muscles not normally used when walking with sneaks, which helps you achieve a more effective and different type of workout. You'll especially feel the difference when walking barefoot on different surfaces.

Keep reading to learn how to start barefoot walking.