Even though I’ve been running for a decade, I still often wonder about—okay, occasionally obsess over—my running form.
Is my foot striking the ground properly? Am I moving my arms too much or not enough? Am I using the strength in my legs in a way that maximizes my stride?
It wasn’t until I started watching RW+ Membership Benefits—Runner’s World’s new video program that helps new runners begin a consistent routine with guidance from top experts—that the answer really began to crystallize for me. In one of the program’s chapters, our host, certified personal trainer and run coach Matt Meyer, delivers a simple, but brilliant piece of advice for fine-tuning your running form:
“Drive your knees up,” Meyer says, “and think about pulling your heels up behind you.”
Of course!
Suddenly, everything clicked.
When I’m running, I usually focus on lifting my knees, but I almost never worry about what’s happening behind me. After watching this clip, though, I went on a run and followed Matt’s advice. I made sure that with each step I took, I pulled my heels up toward my glutes. I immediately felt stronger, like I was able to push off more forcefully, propel myself further forward, and make each stride longer.
Right now, I’m training for my next marathon, and for the first time in my running life, my form finally feels solid, which has made me a more confident runner. I also learned that even after a decade, it’s okay to go back to the basics.
Yes, RW+ Membership Benefits changed the way I run. So whether you’re new to running, coming back from an injury, or in need of a form fix like me, Download Your Training Plan. Matt and other running experts will show you how to start slowly using run/walk intervals that allow you to build upon your progress week after week, plus offer tips to ensure you avoid common beginner missteps that can result in boredom, fatigue, or injury.
Become A Stronger Runner With These RW+ Membership Programs
Aly is the Director of Content Hype at Runner’s World. She started running over a decade ago when she saw a Star Wars themed race happening at Disneyland and thought it looked like fun. Since then, she has run 8 marathons (so far!), and hundreds of shorter distance races. She is known for signing up for 5Ks in every city she travels to. She loves watching reality competition shows, playing board games with her husband and taking naps with her dog.
