6 Ways to Fix Your Running Stride.(1)

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/proper-running-form

Tweak your form to be more efficient and less injury-prone.

As part of a recent run analysis I got at NYSportsMed's Athlete Performance Center a few weeks ago, I had my stride and body mechanics analyzed while I ran on a treadmill. They call it the "Runner's Report Card" and it's an elite-level running analysis specifically designed for the everyday, uninjured athlete. (You can read more about why it’s important to get analyzed before you get injured here.)

Francis Diano, a physical therapist and NYSportsMed's running director, kept an eye on everything from my arm swing to my hip positioning to the way my feet landed on the ground. Then, Diano and I looked over video footage from my run, and he talked me through some easy things I could do to increase my running efficiency—and decrease my risk of injury. For example, I was surprised to hear that my hips tilt a bit too much when I run—but very happy to hear it now, so I can take steps to correct it. Diano suggested I focus on engaging my core mid-run—and doing some extra strengthening exercises outside of my running routine. This type of feedback can be super-beneficial for every runner.

If you can't sign up for a professional analysis, hop on a treadmill and have a friend video you from the front, side, and behind. Then, roll the footage and note whether your form is in check with these form pointers from Diano:

Check #1: Stride Length
See how my foot is landing on the ground right underneath my body in the photo above? That's a good sign. "Ensuring that your foot lands directly under your center of gravity minimizes the stress on your hamstrings and knee," says Diano. If it ends up too far in front of your torso, you're likely over-striding. That makes you less efficient because it creates an uneven distribution of weight and stress along your lower extremities and in your hips, forcing your stabilizer muscles in your hips to work harder.