Episode Details

Running form has often focused on concepts like cadence and footstrike to create change and improve efficiency. But a "top down" approach - focusing on the arms, torso, and cues - is an innovative and accessible way to become a stronger, healthier runner.

This week's guest on the podcast is Paul Mackinnon, a former semi-pro hockey player who has become an expert on gait retraining. Paul is from Melbourne, Australia and has worked with many high level athletes over the years to improve their running form, including former podcast guest and 2:19 marathoner Peter Bromka.

My discussion with Paul is a masterclass on form. Despite this being a complex topic, his ideas are easy to grasp and have made me rethink some commonly held concepts about running technique. Some of the topics we discuss on the episode include:

• Paul's "top down" approach to thinking about running form and technique
• 3 of the most common problem areas for runners
• How your arms create lift in your running
• The underestimated torso - why we need to focus here first
• The impact of running shoes on form
• Form cues that help reinforce proper form
• Why the "don't fix what isn't broken" mentality may not be the best way to approach running technique
• The importance of body awareness to create change in your form

This week's episode can help runners learn how to improve their form at any stage of the game. Enjoy!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Learn more about Paul and how to improve your running technique
• Get 25% off your first month membership at The Balanced Runner here, or use code strengthrunning
• Follow Paul on Instagram and Facebook
• Watch Pauls videos on YouTube and Vimeo
• Download our cheat sheet on form cues
• Read more on running form and efficiency

A big thanks to Elemental Labs for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. And you can get a free sampler pack of 4 flavors and 8 individual packets when you pay $5 in shipping.

Elemental Labs' products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.

The citrus flavor has quickly become my favorite. I'm drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It's tasty and delicious and I find that I'm not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn't eating enough sodium.

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