With all this awesome snow on the ground, conditions are EXCELLENT for working on improving your run technique!

Proper run form emphasizes the “fall” forward & minimizes the toe push-off.  “Falling” forward means that you are using gravity to help you move rather than relying heavily on your calf muscles to push you forward.  By shifting your weight forward (leaning forward from the ankles…not the hips) & allowing gravity to take over, all you have to do is move your feet underneath you in “catch-up” fashion.  This catch-up action by the feet will shorten your stride length into significantly more efficient running form.  Shortening up your stride length causes your feet to contact the ground underneath your body (rather than out in front – a braking action) as well as encouraging you to pick your feet up off the ground faster (thereby minimizing the push-off).  You can test this efficiency by running on snow.  If you feel like your feet will slip out from under you – either to the front or behind you – your stride is too long.  Shorten it up & notice how much less slipping you do!

Viola – efficiency!

Cheers,

Coach Michelle