3 Keys To Finding Your Natural Running Stride

When I think back to when I was at school, my worst nightmare was running. I hated it, even more than football and rugy which I don't like even today. So I never thought that I'd be any good at running... until I found out the trick that I'm about to share with you now.

I realised that running was an important part of my cardio-vascular exercise, and that I needed to find a way to make it a little bit easier for me. When I used the treadmill, I was getting way out of breath way too quickly (less than 10 minutes, and that included 3 minutes fast walk to warm up). And yet I could go on the rowing machine for 20 minutes and hardly even notice it.

So something was wrong with my running technique.

Not knowing what to try, I just varied everything I could: speed, incline, the length of my stride, the height of my stride, and so on.

And these are the three tricks to running that made the difference for me:

1. Don't be afraid to INCREASE your speed!

I realised that I was actually running too slow! I've naturally got a long stride (I'm just over 6 foot tall), but when on the treadmill I was taking tiny little strides. Why? Because if I'd run at my normal stride, I would have run into the front of the machine.

By increasing the speed of the machine, I was able to stretch my stride out to a better length for me, which made my whole running style much more fluid, and therefore easier on me.

2. Don't be afraid to INCREASE your incline!

If you aren't using an incline when running, then you are effectively running downhill. This is because the tread itself is helping your legs' motion, rather than you actually pushing yourself forward. Similarly, if you run downhill, it's much easier because you don't have to push yourself up in the air as much to gain the forward distance you need.

So add a little incline to you run - not much, just enough that you can feel the extra push. Not only does this simulate running on flat ground, it also makes your motion more natural. Running downhill and running on the flat produce variations in your stride that make you more or less efficient. So by increasing your incline, you induce a more natural style to you movements.

3. Remember to focus on your breathing.

The final key is related to the other two. As my stride increased, and my effort increased, I found that my rate and depth of breathing changed so that I took one full breath cycle for every 3 steps. And that felt more natural than previously.

Sorry that's not a very scientific explanation, but "feeling natural" is about as best as it gets :-)

So there you go. Three keys to more efficient running, which you can experiment with. Some of this advice might sound odd (if you're running out of breath quickly, why make the running harder?). But with the principle of finding a more efficient pace for your body, it makes sense.

And by the way, almost overnight I doubled my running from 10 minutes to 20, with no real problem, and over time I increased to 45 minutes with a couple of 1 minute breaks to stretch and drink water. I can go more, but I start to get bored and also run out of time at the gym!

For more fitness advice, tips, and resources, visit FitnessEquipmentLinks.com

---

Better Links Directory

Heart Matters

Your heart is between one to two times the size... Read More

Stay in Shape - Cycling Workouts For the Winter Months

It's that time of year. The time when you decide... Read More

Cardio-Boxing for Super Fitness

The major benefits of cardio-boxing include:· Increased Stamina · Increased... Read More

Running in The Zone: A Personal Account

Running in The Zone has to be one of the... Read More

Why Your Cardiovascular Workouts Might Be A Big Waste Of Your Time

What if I were to tell you that most if... Read More

Too Much Water Can Kill

Long distance runners and other endurance athletes have long been... Read More

5 Tips for Starting Runners

So you've decided to take up running? Maybe you are... Read More

Cardiovascular Training - From the Heart!

Cardiovascular training, or aerobics, requires a different approach than other... Read More

Do You Need an Expensive Padded, Cushioned, Air Bubbled, Gelled Running Shoe?

Nike Free does not think so; and neither should you.... Read More

Aerobic Training

How to start your aerobic training program:Consider first setting your... Read More

Using Nutrition to Boost Your Cardio

So, you're doing cardio religiously and you're not getting any... Read More

Better Cardio Workouts

The Cardio KingChange it upOne of the most important aspects... Read More

Aerobic Activity Burns Fat

Aerobic activity is any exercise that helps you use oxygen... Read More

A Cardio Snobs Workout

As I peruse the pages of various holiday issues of... Read More

Burn 340 Calories a Day with Aerobic Exercise

Strengthen your heart and lungs and give your body a... Read More

The Best Cardio Workouts

The benefits of exercise are abundant and well documented, and... Read More

Cardios Effect on Overall Health

When most people hear the word "Cardio", their mind automatically... Read More

Maximum Cardio

Depending on your goals and body type, different amounts of... Read More

The Fitness Cardio Secret That Propels Lance Armstrong

What is Lance Armstrong doing that you can do to... Read More

Cardio Enthusiasts: Discover a More Effective Training Method for Fat Loss and Heart Health!

It is common to hear fitness professionals and medical doctors... Read More

Guidant Corporation Recalls Heart Defibrillators

A worldwide recall was announced by Guidant Corporation for nearly... Read More

Chronic Headaches And Pain Often Can Be Eliminated By A Special Dentist

Denver, Colorado/Las Vegas, Nevada-Sometimes as Freud once said, "A good... Read More

Are You Making This Cardio Mistake?

Are you exercising for long periods of time to try... Read More

3 Keys To Finding Your Natural Running Stride

When I think back to when I was at school,... Read More

How To Start a Running Program

Running or jogging is one of the best ways there... Read More