hustle.run.thrive. blog — running form

Running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other. Form, efficiency, and strength all play a role in how you perform and how you feel on the run.

If you've ever worked with a physical therapist who dismissed gait analysis or said, "Don't worry about biomechanics, just run naturally," you might have walked away feeling a little confused. After all, running is natural, but that doesn't mean our mechanics are always working in our favor.

If you're a runner who's dealt with an injury, you've probably had someone recommend a gait analysis. Maybe a coach, a fellow runner, or even a physical therapist suggested it as a way to identify the root cause of your pain.

Maybe you’ve heard that heel striking is bad and that switching to a midfoot or forefoot strike will make you faster and less injury-prone. Or maybe you’re considering changing your foot strike because you’ve had knee pain, and someone told you landing differently might help.

Spring is here, and with it comes the wind. Some days, it’s a nice little push at your back. Other days, it feels like Mother Nature is personally testing your patience. If you’ve ever been out on a run, leaning into a headwind and wondering why you even bothered, you’re not alone. But instead of fighting the wind, you can learn how to work with it.