This is a guest post written by OrthoNebraska. You can learn more about OrthoNebraska and their Optimum Stride program here.
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No two runners are the same, so OrthoNebraska custom-designs your Optimum Stride experience to meet your needs and help you achieve your goals.
An Introduction on Form
- Head: Look up and ahead naturally and scan the horizon.
- Shoulders: Should be low and loose, not high and tight. As you tire, don’t let the shoulders creep up toward your ears. Shoulder should remain level with each stride.
- Arms: Keep hands in an unclenched fist. Arms should swing forward and back, not across your body, between waist and lower-chest level. Elbows should be bent at a 90 degree angle.
- Torso: Keep yourself upright with your back comfortably straight, promoting optimal lung capacity.
- Hips: Your hips are you center of gravity, they are key to good running posture. Proper position of your torso will ensure your hips are in the ideal position- pointing straight ahead. Think of your pelvis as a bowl filled with marbles, then try not to spill the marbles by tilting the bowl.
- Legs/Stride: Efficient endurance running requires just a slight knee lift, a quick leg turnover, and a short stride. When running with proper stride length, your feet should land underneath your body.
- Ankles/Feet: With each step, your foot should hit the ground lightly-landing between your heel and midfoot-then quickly roll forward. Your feet should not slap loudly as they hit the ground. Good running is springy and quiet.
Equipment Insight
- Shoes: Remember – it begins and ends with our shoes – no more critical piece of equipment. An expert can help find the shoes that fit you best! Come see us at Scheels from 5:30-7:00 on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. We would be happy to help you find the right pair of running shoes! Running shoes should be replaced every 400-500 miles. If not, you’re risking a host of injuries: joint pain, foot pain and shin pain.
- Socks: Synthetic fibers – no cotton! Look for “true running socks” made with synthetic fibers like “Coolmax” which will wick moisture from the skin and keep your feet dry. Consider a double layer sock (like Coolmax Wright sock) for added blister protection
Come see us at Scheels!
We are happy to help you select the appropriate running shoe, answer any questions and even screen for injuries. You can find us in the athletic shoe department from 5:30-7:00 on Feb. 20th. You’ll also receive a discount off your shoe purchase!