If so - I must share tid bits of an article dealing with running technique that I read today from some source that I can't re-locate to cite. I actually just got back from testing out the tips. When I recollect my track class in first year university taught by an old Hungarian guy named Gabor Simonyi, the lesson from then and today seem to equate. In other words, I once knew these things but upon analyzing my technique recently, I have obviously forgotten.
Most folks land on their heel and this is wrong. By landing on our heel we are landing with our center of mass behind the accelerating position. This landing creates stress upwardly in our joints. Instead, land on the center of of your foot keeping your weight forward. Pull your shoulders back creating a flat back. Now you will obviously need to have some hip flexion to get the weight forward. A flat back with hip flexion landing toward the center-front of the foot and pushing off with ease. You will find that this takes less energy. Flex forward at the hips more going up a hill to get the necessary thrust. In time, you may require less hip flexion upon trusting your center of mass to simply fall forward. With practice, you'll develop a kinesthetic (I can use this word as a Physical Education major :)) sense about using gravity to your advantage.
I just got home from using the improved technique for the first time and sense that I ran much more efficiently. It seemed like I glided along with less up and down. Try it!
