Every runner has thought to herself at one time, "Is my form correct?"
Truthfully, every runner can improve some aspect of his or her running form. Nobody is perfect and we all have some areas that could be made more efficient.
The benefits of a more efficient running stride are enormous: you'll be less likely to suffer from an overuse injury, become more economical (meaning you'll use less energy to run the same pace—so you can go faster with the same effort), and ultimately be a much faster runner.
But what specific aspect of your form should you change?
More: Can Running Technique Be Taught?
The intricacies of running form are complex, and you can easily get lost in the details of foot strike, loading rates, and how to reduce the impact forces of your stride. Many new runners who start running get confused. How do you simplify the process of making your form more efficient?
More: Good Running Form for Beginners
Two simple changes can help you refine your stride so there's less stress on your legs with every foot strike, a more economical (efficient) form, and a much lower risk of overuse injuries.
Land Underneath Your Body
Many runners focus on foot strike and attempt to change their strides so they land on the middle of their feet. While this may be optimal, there's nothing wrong with a slight heel strike. In fact, 2009 New York City Marathon winner (and Olympic silver medalist in the marathon) Meb Keflezighi is a moderate heel striker.
Instead, it's better to optimize where your foot lands in relation to the rest of your body. Many runners over-stride, landing far ahead of their bodies, and aggressively heel striking as a result. Ideally, the foot should land underneath the body's center of mass or directly under your hips.
