Finding Your Natural Running Stride
When I think back to when I was at school, my worst nightmare was
running. I hated it, even more than football and rugy which I don't
like even today. So I never thought that I'd be any good at running...
until I found out the trick that I'm about to share with you now.
I realized that running was an important part of my cardio-vascular
exercise, and that I needed to find a way to make it a little bit
easier for me. When I used the treadmill, I was getting way out of
breath way too quickly (less than 10 minutes, and that included 3
minutes fast walk to warm up). And yet I could go on the rowing
machine for 20 minutes and hardly even notice it.
So something was wrong with my running technique.
Not knowing what to try, I just varied everything I could: speed,
incline, the length of my stride, the height of my stride, and so on.
And these are the three tricks to running that made the difference
for me:
1. Don't be afraid to INCREASE your speed!
I realised that I was actually running too slow! I've naturally got
a long stride (I'm just over 6 foot tall), but when on the treadmill I
was taking tiny little strides. Why? Because if I'd run at my normal
stride, I would have run into the front of the machine.
By increasing the speed of the machine, I was able to stretch my
stride out to a better length for me, which made my whole running
style much more fluid, and therefore easier on me.
2. Don't be afraid to INCREASE your incline!
If you aren't using an incline when running, then you are
effectively running downhill. This is because the tread itself is
helping your legs' motion, rather than you actually pushing yourself
forward. Similarly, if you run downhill, it's much easier because you
don't have to push yourself up in the air as much to gain the forward
distance you need.
So add a little incline to you run - not much, just enough that you
can feel the extra push. Not only does this simulate running on flat
ground, it also makes your motion more natural. Running downhill and
running on the flat produce variations in your stride that make you
more or less efficient. So by increasing your incline, you induce a
more natural style to you movements.
3. Remember to focus on your breathing.
The final key is related to the other two. As my stride increased,
and my effort increased, I found that my rate and depth of breathing
changed so that I took one full breath cycle for every 3 steps. And
that felt more natural than previously.
Sorry that's not a very scientific explanation, but "feeling
natural" is about as best as it gets :-)
So there you go. Three keys to more efficient running, which you
can experiment with. Some of this advice might sound odd (if you're
running out of breath quickly, why make the running harder?). But with
the principle of finding a more efficient pace for your body, it makes
sense.
And by the way, almost overnight I doubled my running from 10
minutes to 20, with no real problem, and over time I increased to 45
minutes with a couple of 1 minute breaks to stretch and drink water. I
can go more, but I start to get bored and also run out of time at the
gym!
For more fitness
advice, tips, and resources, visit FitnessEquipmentLinks.com
-
-
Hitting Your
Running Stride
- For Dummies
The goal to increase natural
stride length without
overstriding requires the ...
be a slight increase in stride
length that is still within your
natural gait. ...
www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/
id-446.html -
-
Increase Your
Running Stride
Rate
... efficiently as possible
and the two determining factors for forward momentum
are running stride
length and ... Get into your
natural running
rhythm, then ...
www.howtobefit.com/running-stride-
rate.htm -
67k -
-
The Ideal Stride
... are made for running
and therefore your natural
stride will most likely be ...
A natural heal striker will
most likely always find running
at least slightly ...
ezinearticles.com/?The-Ideal-
Stride&id=1594588
-
51k -
-
Increase Your
Stride Rate
... stride
patterns are hardwired into your
natural ...
Get into your natural
running rhythm, then time
yourself for 60 seconds as you count your
strides. ...
runnersworld.com/article/
...+Stride+Rate,+Faster+Times -
69k
-
-
3 Keys To Finding Your
Natural Running
Stride - Aerobics-Cardio
3 Keys To Finding Your Natural
Running Stride
plus articles and information on Aerobics-Cardio ...
Running downhill and running
on the flat produce variations ...
www.aerobicscardiolearn.info/47898.php
-
-
EX-56 Elliptical from Horizon
Fitness
... you club-quality
performance at home, with smooth stride
motion and easy programmability. Buy the EX-56 ...
your natural
running or walking stride
on the ...
www.horizonfitness.com/products/
elliptical/ex-56.aspx -
-
E700 Elliptical from Horizon
Fitness
... offers maximum
versatility, featuring a long stride,
20 resistance options, 12 programs, and performance ...
your natural
running or walking stride
on ...
www.horizonfitness.com/products/
elliptical/e700.aspx -
-
CompetitiveRunner.com: Running
FAQ's
How can I best improve the efficiency of my running
stride? ...
Pronation is natural inward
rolling movement of your foot as it starts to ...
www.competitiverunner.com/faq.html
-
-
FreeStride Hands Free Jogging
Stroller Accessory - JoggingStroller.com
The patented Freestride? jogging stroller attachment
uses a comfortable belt and pushrod system, and
connects in seconds ... your
natural running
or walking ...
www.joggingstroller.com/
FreeStride.pro?bid=11659&aid=CD256&opt= -
-
How long should my running stride
be? I am 14, 5'3" and about 110 ...
Your stride
should be what is natural
for you. Do not try to run with a longer stride.
... are running
up hill you will shorten your
stride and when you are ...
