What’s the correct running form? How do I fix it? Will it make me a better runner?

I see these questions all over social media, asking unqualified keyboard warriors… please do not take their advice completely!

When I first got started I was one of those people asking for advice and I did actually get some useful tips. Other bits of advice, however, could have led me to serious injury. I began trying out some ambitious warm up and cool down techniques and I spent 3 weeks running on my tip toes after believing from a ‘friend’ that’s why my knees came together and my left leg kicked out…

Everyone is different and whilst there are general tips that help to get you started, beyond that it gets a little murky. Conflicting articles everywhere about what’s best, what makes you speedier and it can be very confusing!

If you’re ever unsure, please see a trained running coach or specialist. It does cost money but if it can help you running for years and years, surely it’s worth it? If you keep getting injured, it might be your form, it might not be but it’s best to speak to someone who knows.

I was really fortunate to win a competition to see running specialists FixMyRun. I (touch wood!) hadn’t suffered from an injury, but I wanted to be speedier. They assessed my form

I had believed that it was my heel strike was the issue, but it turns out that I was wrong! Heel striking isn’t the end of the world, this research is outdated. My calves are strong and can comfortably cope with the heel strike. You watch elite racers and when they get tired, they also heel strike!

The issue is that I actually overstride (something that many us do!) and I was shown how to improve this.

Another thing is that my left leg kicks out to the side. This isn’t because I have weak glutes (although they can always be improved!), it’s because my right arm for some very strange reason likes to swing out! By focusing my right arm to move backwards and forwards, the left leg swing goes! It’s so strange how it’s all connected…

Here is a side by side comparison of the before and after the sessions:

Looking at the video, you can see how subtle changes can make me more efficient. Less knee knocking haha. I have London Landmarks Half Marathon next month, I really hope I hit under 2 hours!

What’s the worst running advice you’ve received?