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Anonymous
Anonymous asked in SportsRunning · 5 months ago

Is there a correct form for jogging?

how to run for unfit noobs?

Update:

I can walk. I can walk for days especially on level surfaces. I don't do badly on inclines and jaggedy paths either. I just cant run.

7 Answers

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  • 2 months ago

    There is a whole field and theory about this, but you don’t need to know about it to improve your form. All you need is running drills and to keep running. 

    The best drill for form is high knees. And counting your cadence occasionally can be useful (steps per minute). Just like cycling, you don’t want your turnover to be too sluggish. You should be getting your feet off the ground as quickly as possible. Not all running drills improve form, and are just for mobility (like kick butt). 

    There are a lot of people that told me when I was younger that I should be running on my toes, but I only knew one person that actually did that (and he was called “twinkle toes”). Frankly, I did not even understand this concept until I had a back injury and did some physical therapy. They showed me the “wall lean”, and after doing this exercise for awhile, I immediately understood what was meant by toe running. 

    It is not that you are literally never contacting your heel with the ground, but that your weight is unevenly distributed toward the front of your feet, like you are leaning forward. It really does make you go faster, but it takes some practice. 

    Here’s how to get the feel for it by doing “wall lean”: Stand facing a wall so you can’t quite touch it with your hands forward. Lean into the wall and place your hands to it, bending only at the ankles. Make your spine very erect, lifting from your head by engaging your abs. You can lift your heels if it helps, but try pressing your toes downward, from the hips or abs, without flexing the calves. Once you get where the fexion is coming from, you get it. But if you don’t, try leaning forward without a wall, without falling. Observe what muscles you use. While leaning into the wall, hold the flexion for 20s for a few reps. When you run and utilize this method, it will feel like you are falling forward, and your feet will have to move quicker, to keep up. 

    Good luck. Hope this helps!

  • 3 months ago

    If you can't run long distance you should try jogging more. Jogging is easier.

  • 3 months ago

    I generally run at around 9 minute miles if I just want a relaxing run regardless of distance.  I've covered a marathon at that speed without too much trouble before apart from knee soreness afterwards because I didn't build mileage up over enough time.

    When I first did a Marathon distance I decided to start the run at about 10.5 minute mile pace, within about 5 miles I was having problems with my feet, hips and knees.  This was because at that pace my form was not correct for my body, the way my feet were striking was putting more impact through my body rather than creating forward motion and I didn't notice any benefits from an effort standpoint.

    I'm only 5'6" tall and weighed about 65KG at the time so I would guess heavier and taller people would suffer even more at a slow pace.

    The way around it would be to get up to a pace that your body is comfortable with then once you are there gradually keep adding distance.  I know I can't drop below a 9.5 minute mile pace without problems, an average person who is taller than me probably doesn't want to be doing any great distance slower that a 9 minute mile.

    I always use top end footwear with the correct (neutral) gait and support for me, decent trainers are important as is stretching after your run.

  • .
    Lv 7
    5 months ago

    Jogging is basically just a very slow run. Joggers also don't tend to have as long of a stride as some runners (although some runners have a short stride). 

    .

    Good form includes not slouching (stand upright with shoulders relaxed), having arms relaxed at your sides with elbows bent at 90° and hands relaxed (as if you were holding a potato chip with your fingers). Arm swing should be forward and back (avoid crossing your hands in front of your body).  Lean forward slightly, from your ankles (don't bend over) to help propel you forward. Keep your feet under you when you jog/run to reduce the impact on your body. 

    .

    You can look up articles and videos on proper jogging or running form. The article below can give you some info as well.

  • Anonymous
    5 months ago

    Form matters, and so does how unfit you are.

    If your form is really bad, you can strain tendons and ligaments, so the basic idea is that you plant each foot straight and directly below its knee. If you do that with every step, the rest of your form is likely to follow naturally. Your body was made for doing this. Here's a little guidance: https://images.app.goo.gl/UVNwuB4MXhyK79X16

    When you start running, go as slowly as you can while still calling it running or jogging. Yes, you could go faster, but the distance you cover will be small and you'll be so winded you can't go on. Running slow and easy until you have to stop, then walking at a brisk pace until you can go again, is the way to begin. Set a target, either time or distance. Most beginners who are not substantially overweight (75 pounds or more) can do a mile.

    Keep at it until you're jogging the whole way, then increase either your distance or your time.

  • Petter
    Lv 7
    5 months ago

    There are no correct forms, we all have our individual style. Just take it in steps and slowly increase the effort. Decent shoes is a plus. The only thing you should avoid is to keep on running while in pain in your feet or legs. Better to stop then and run another day.

  • 5 months ago

    Totally noob and unfit ?   Try walking a fair distance first.  Starting out running is like learning to swim by jumping into the deep end.  Might work, or might totally discourage you.

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