Why It’s Actually Good that You Can’t Fix Your Running Injury

Lately as I’ve interviewed runners who want to work with me, I’ve heard a lot of stories that end with the phrase “…and then, WHAM!” It’s a funny, not-so-funny coincidence. Here’s how the stories go. They tell me things started to go wrong with their running but they could kind of manage it. For instance … Read more

How to Run on Ice (and avoid blisters in heat!)

Penguins demonstrate how to run on ice without slipping

If you want to learn how to run on ice, you need only look at a bipedal species that’s adapted to icy environments: the penguin. Yes, I know you were hoping to run faster than this famously slow bird, but by applying a key technique that penguins use for good traction, you can run much … Read more

Why Treadmill TV Watching is a Bad Idea

It's tempting to watch TV on the treadmill but it's a bad idea.

The responses to my last two posts on how to run well on a treadmill have made it clear that runners of all kinds and levels agree on one thing: running on a treadmill is incredibly boring. Hence the temptation to make treadmill running your TV time. I totally understand that temptation, but I’m here … Read more

How to Use Wearable Tech to Improve Your Gait

runner using wearable tech to improve her gait

Data on your running has become easy to get. But it remains hard to act on, especially when it comes to using wearable tech (such as sports watches) to improve your gait. Alex Hutchinson recently wrote about a 4-stage framework for using the training data from wearable tech. The stages are: descriptive–what happened diagnostic–why did … Read more

Learn How to Run

Get started right and you will avoid SO many problems later! These 4 steps are based on my nearly two decades of experience helping runners from beginner to Olympian improve their form to feel better and perform better. The internet abounds with advice, but this isn’t the usual set of tips for new runners–and it … Read more

Tom Cruise Running Form Analysis

Tom Cruise running

The actor Tom Cruise’s running form has been much discussed but little analyzed. That’s a shame because there’s so much to see. If you’ve watched a couple of his movies you can probably close your eyes and picture him running. However if you’d like a little help, this video will do the trick: The one … Read more

Turkey Trot Gait Analysis

wild turkey trot gait analysis--beautiful animals in motion

As you lace up your shoes for a traditional Turkey Trot Thanksgiving Day race, here are a few tips from a real turkey trot gait analysis that may help your performance. Take a look at this video of three wild turkeys–two hens and a tom, I think–running down a road. (I recommend viewing with the … Read more

How to Fix Your Hip Flexors

Maybe they’re tight, maybe you’ve got a pull or strain, maybe they get really sore. Or maybe they don’t bother you at all but you’ve been told they’re the source of another problem such as back pain or plantar fasciitis. Whatever’s got you looking to solve a hip flexor problem, there’s something important you need … Read more

2021 NYC Marathon Running Form Analysis–Jepchirchir, Korir

Jepchirchir, Cheptoo, Yeshaneh NYC 2021 Marathon

2021 NYC marathon champs Peres Jepchirchir and Albert Korir both had running form signatures that set them apart from the rest of their elite competitors. Runners of any level can benefit from understanding how their gait strategies worked for them. At the time of this writing there doesn’t appear to be an official race highlights … Read more

Are you leaning correctly when you run?

Are any of these runners leaning correctly?

Runners need to lean forward when they run. I’ve written before why that is; it’s also a cornerstone of ChiRunning, Pose Technique, and many other running technique methods. But how do you tell if you’re leaning too much, leaning too little, or leaning correctly when you run? For most runners, learning how to lean at all is … Read more

The Running Form Instructions that Killed the Barefoot Running Movement

the barefoot running movement may seem over, but you're probably still affected by it

Back in 2009-2010, as the barefoot running movement picked up steam, I was excited. I thought I was going to see a world full of healthier, happier runners with better running form. But that’s not what happened. The reasons it should have happened are still solid: running without cushioned soles causes runners to reorganize their … Read more