Why are the Kenyons winning the major marathons–like the Boston Marathon?
Find out why by watching these two videos—one that focuses on Ryan Hall exclusively and the other which analyzes the top two finishing Kenyons and an Ethiopian marathoner. I’ll give you a hint. It’s because they have better running form (aka technique).
http://www.youtube.com/user/Howtorunright
The Ryan Hall video shows a frame-by-frame analysis of our country’s best marathoner, Ryan Hall. It clearly shows how his running form can be improved. His knee drive could be better, he straightens his back leg too much. Watch his face and demeanor at the end of the Boston Marathon. He’s spent.
Contrast Ryan Hall’s form and face at the end versus the Kenyons in the other video analysis. The Kenyons look like they could run another Boston Marathon right away. You’ll even see how one foreign runner (Ethiopian) is a heel striker but compensates for this serious flaw by other sound mechanics or running technique.
As you watch these videos keep in mind an article on the importance on running form in this month’s Runners World. That article concludes that form is not that important. After watching the videos and reading the article, you decide how important running form really is.
The reality is that by improving running form, you make the running experience more enjoyably, you prevent many, many injuries and you run faster than ever. It’s also important to realize that everyone’s running form is unique. Theirs and theirs alone. Just something to remember as you explore and analyze your running form.
BTW…what are you doing to celebrate running on the upcoming National Running Day, June 1st? Get out there and run…with the best running form possible.