“Hi. It’s probably just me but I always feel like when I am running I am the only one running as if I am dragging an anchor behind me. I feel like I am not running the same style, way, stride, step (whatever) as the other person I am running along side. Everyone else I run with seems to have a quicker stride or step than me so I can’t ever tell if I am running right or what. I guess I am just venting but do you have any ideas or remarks about this?”

I do. It sounds to me like you’re shuffling. Do you feel like you’re shuffling.  I do that when I get tired.  The key to faster running is to pick up your feet, lean forward, and complete your stride.

I figured this out a few years ago when a P.T. watched me run and said: “You’re not picking up your feet… you stop the stride half way through when you pound it into the ground at the bottom…keep them moving….pick up your leg in the back after you touch ground and complete the motion.”

Every time your feet hit the ground and stop, you’re putting on the brakes. Keep them going….in a circle. Does that make sense?

Google “Chi Running” to learn more about it. This is the sort of stride you want. It will help you get faster & learn to pick up your feet. Here’s a short video:

Form is something you really need to think about and stay conscious of when you run, particularly when you run long, because you’ll slip into your old ways when you fatigue.

For more information on Chi running and running form, check out this NY Times blog post: “Finding a Sustainable Running Stride.”