How to Run Better

There are 3 things you can do to run better: Learn proper running technique, get more powerful, and train better. I will discuss each of those steps here:

How to Run Better: Improving Running Technique

If you are a beginner, or truly clueless about how to run, I recommend you read my article on How to Run in 3 Easy Steps. I also have articles and videos on how to run faster, how to run properly and Sprinting Technique. The first step to running better is to improve your running technique. This is a list of the things that all the best runners in the world do when they run.

Run tall. No slouching or leaning forward or backward.
No wasted movements. Nothing in their upper body moves except their arms.
Arm swing. Arms swing back and forth rather than side to side and crossing the mid-line.
Legs run evenly between front and back of your body. If you look at a picture of a side view of yourself while running, and drew a line through your body from top to bottom, you’d have a back side and a front side. Your legs should move evenly on both sides.
Feet move through a circular motion. That mostly means that you need to lift your heels off the ground and raise your knees as you run. Don’t shuffle.
Land on the balls of your feet. Don’t land on your heels.

This is a very fundamental list. If you want to learn more, you can check out how to run properly and Sprinting Technique. I also have a Running Technique Cheat Sheet you can download.

How to Run Better: Getting More Powerful

One of the most important things to do to be a better runner is get more powerful. That means to be able to move your body quickly. You’ll need to do some training to get more powerful. Examples of power exercises

power-exercises-for-runners — Example of Power Exercises for Runners

In order for your body to achieve more power, you have to get stronger. For that reason, I also recommend all runners to be involved in a strength training program. I have a free power and strength training program here.

Examples of strength training

How to Run Better: Training Plan

The third thing you need to run better is a good training plan with workouts. A good plan projects out into the future for months or more. It also looks at your weeks to make sure you’re doing all the right things, but also making sure you’re not doing too much. An example of a training plan might look something like this:

Monday: 10 minutes of technique drills, 2 sets of 2 power exercises, , 6x150m at 70% speed.
Tuesday: Strength training
Wednesday: 10 minutes of technique drills, 2xdownhill sprints, 12x50m at 90% speed
Thursday: Strength training
Friday: 10 minutes of technique drills, 2 sets of 2 power exercises, 8x1000m at 80% speed
Saturday: Strength training
Sunday: Rest

Great job on researching this topic. I realize there’s a lot of information on the internet and on YouTube. It’s not always easy to know who to listen to. You can be assured that this site will only have accurate information. Learn about me here. If you want to learn how I might be able to help you toward you goal, check out Get Coaching Help.