By Malcolm Balk

The head leads the body follows …
Although we run in a forwards direction, the spine is happier lengthening upwards. With this in mind, it is important to let the head remain quietly poised on top of the spine and to look ahead rather than down.

Don’t over stride …
Learning not to over stride and reduce braking (which usually means shortening your stride) is the key to running more efficiently. So, stop reaching out with your foot.  Instead, let your knees, not your feet lead the stride.

Lie down before a run …
Before your run, take time to lie down and gently allow your spine to find its optimal resting length. This works much better than ‘posturing’ yourself and will prepare you to run in a more connected/conscious way.

Practice and perfect running slowly …
It’s harder in some ways to run slowly as there is less momentum to cover up your bad habits. You also have more of a chance to notice what’s happening when you slow down and pay attention.