It’s no secret that I have hideous running form

Because of said hideous form, Coach Monster has incorporated some running drills into my training plan.  He had mentioned doing so for quite some time.  But Coach M finally took video of me last week… running.  And he put those drills into motion pretty darn fast. 
So what is exactly wrong with my form?

(No. Not my hot socks.)
The easier question: what is correct about my form? Apparently the answer to that question is: Er, nothing. Nothing is right about my running.

Chicken Wing
Coach Monster noticed right off the bat that I run with my left arm kind of tucked at my side, barely moving.  He said, “You have a chicken wing.” Awesome.


Right Foot, Wrong Way
My right foot points outward as I run.  A chicken foot.


(I’m in the blue shirt. Look quickly. I’m so fast, you might miss me.
Granted, I have improved a little since this time.  But not much.)

Rigid Hips
Apparently, I run with my hips completely static and locked.  The Expert noticed this one, and Coach M agreed. No wonder it hurts to run.  I have no flexibility in my hips whatsoever, and it shows.

Hamstrings? What Hamstrings?
The back part of my running stroke is non-existent.  I don’t have the upward kick motion at all.  Coach M said, “You are really just dragging your legs behind you.”  Wow.  Which is interesting, because in Miami, that’s exactly how I felt – like I was dragging my legs and they wouldn’t fire.  I mean seriously.  If I am dragging my legs… no wonder running is so difficult.

(Me and my new best friend: the Butt Kick)

Bouncy Head
I bounce up and down when I am running.  Too much.  Way too much. Like I’m hanging tough, dragging my legs behind me in a bouncy house.

Stride Length / Lean Back / Heel Strike
Instead of properly keeping my feet beneath me, turning my feet over quickly, and leaning slightly forward from the ankles, I am sticking my dragging legs out in front of me way too far, leaning back and crushing my heels into the ground like Godzilla.  


“You are running from power, not agility and form. You are crashing your feet down. Boom, boom, boom!” said Coach M.  I could have done without the actual Godzilla sounds. 

But as I watched the video of me running, I realized that Coach M was so right. 


I am glad that I know what’s wrong with the situation instead of just “knowing” that I was running ugly. Now, I know why the running is ugly.  He walked me through the drills, watched me fumble through them, and gave me more stuff to think about.

Whew.  Okay.  Again, so what’s correct about my running?  

(Apparently, just my sunshine attitude.)
Today, I took my running drills to the gym, and did 2 miles on the treadmill by the mirror after spin class.  I tried to concentrate on leaning forward slightly, from the ankles, turning my feet over, having a set of hamstrings that were firing, and mid-foot striking.  It was alot to digest.

But as I looked in the mirror, I actually resembled a runner.

Albeit, a slow caveman-like one… but I could see the glimmer. The form was ever-so-slightly emerging. Good feeling.    


I didn’t see my chicken wing either.

10 Responses

  1. Well the sunshiney attitude has to count for something, right? It is great that you are getting help with your form. I am sure that 99% of the runners out there (myself included) just sort of run in whatever way feels natural. It can't do anything but help!

  2. Are you able to share any of the drills Coach Monster has you doing? I struggle with many of the same form issues you do & have had a heck of a time breaking the habits! (Although I can proudly say I've forced myself into mid-foot striking over the last year…unless I'm tired…then I heel strike again…)

  3. Oh heck, I probably got a chicken wing to. I don't think I want Coach M to watch a video of me! 🙂

  4. Well, you've seen the title of my blog so you know I loved this one!! God help me if DW ever takes a play from CM's book. At least you smile when you do the funky chicken. That counts for a lot! The duck always appears to be passing a stone.

  5. My Coach just said she wanted to watch my form and I cringed! I am sure I do many of the same things you mentioned…but I also slouch. It's not pretty!

  6. Oh crap! You reminded me of that too. I slouch too. Lean-back slouch. It's quite remarkable, actually….

  7. Ugh. All very common afflictions. I'm recently back from hip/hamstring issues myself and learned a ton of stuff to do to strengthen/stretch them in PT.
    It's awesome you have a coach to point these out to you. There's much to be said for being able to 'power thru' these races the way you do. Own that strength!

  8. Thanks for reminding me to about the video! I originally read the post at work & couldn't get the video to load. I've got it emailed to myself now though!

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