| Most people are capable of running injury free | | | | 2. The next aspect you should focus on is your upper |
| because the human body is designed for it. As we | | | | body alignment. When most people think they are |
| grow older, though, we punish our bodies in a multitude | | | | standing up straight, in fact they are either bent |
| of ways. Can you think back to the stunts, falls, and | | | | forward at the waist or leaning backward. To |
| injuries of your childhood? For me, it is amazing that I | | | | remedy this, place a flat hand below your belly button |
| am able to walk around today without a limp or any | | | | and a flat hand just below and between your collar |
| signs of brain damage (I think). | | | | bones. Straighten your abdomen by forcing your |
| The point is that running injury free is a matter of | | | | hands apart. |
| relearning the form you used as a kid. When children | | | | 3. Now take the index finger of your top hand and |
| run around, their technique is perfect. Their posture is | | | | point it upward. When your chin touches this finger, |
| in line. They are leaning forward. Their legs are | | | | this is where your head should be. |
| extending out behind them and they are laughing, | | | | 4. At this point, your pelvis may be tilted forward. Put |
| having a great time. | | | | one hand on your tailbone and one in front of you at |
| If you have had your share of frustrating, sidelining | | | | the waistline. Tilt your pelvis so that it is level to the |
| injuries from running, then you should consider | | | | ground. Next, slightly bend at the hips, not your waist |
| developing the form of a child who is running injury | | | | (which is about 3 inches higher). If you peer down |
| free. It doesn't make any sense to heal your body | | | | you should be looking at your shoelaces. |
| for a couple of weeks only to run exactly as before. | | | | 5. You are now in the perfect posture for running injury |
| | | | | free. You should be feeling your whole foot flat on |
| A lot of focus is required to master this form for | | | | the ground. With your entire column engaged in this |
| running injury free, but the basic points are intuitive and | | | | way, you are extremely stable and your core can |
| easy to grasp. | | | | absorb the impact forces as you run. |
| 1. A solid base is the key to running injury free, just as | | | | The next step in the process is to simply allow |
| with anything. Position your feet about hip width apart | | | | yourself to start to fall forward. Your legs will catch |
| and pointed straight forward. Most pain to the inner | | | | you as you move. Running injury free is a matter of |
| part of the knees is from running with your toes | | | | harnessing gravity to your advantage. Your feet are |
| pointed outwards slightly. In this instance, your ankles | | | | merely there to catch you as you glide through your |
| roll slightly inward and the knee follows, which is not | | | | runs. |
| natural. | | | | |