Coronavirus fueled a running boom. Nielsen reported that 13% of runners started recently because of the pandemic.
Running is an excellent form of exercise with mental and physical health benefits. You get outdoors and you don’t need to get a lot of equipment.
If you’re just getting started, you have the chance to develop your running style. It has to do with the way you run and your fashionable side.
Veteran runners can always benefit from running style improvements. Some might not have thought about it before.
Whether you’ve been running for years or just getting started with running, you’ll want to keep reading. You’re about to learn ways to enhance your running style.
- Know the Mechanics of Running Styles
About half of regular runners sustain running injuries each year. You think of running as a simple exercise, and it is. However, the biomechanics of running are complex.
Not understanding them leads to injury. Look at a person’s typical day. They sit all day at a computer.
As a result, they get very tight hips, which leads to a slight pelvic tilt. That puts strain on the lower back and affects a runner’s stride.
That could impact your knees and cause knee pain or injury later on.
One running style that’s known to cause injury is barefoot running. This can cause bone and tissue damage to parts of your feet. It’s very difficult to recover from these injuries.
Most runners adopted a running style based on walking. This is where the heel of the foot makes first contact with the ground.
The problem with this type of running style is the shock that happens when the heel strikes the ground. Most running shoes are designed to absorb the shock, but it’s hard to create a shoe that absorbs that much shock and helps with the rest of the running stride.
The most efficient running style is the forefoot first. This is where you land on the balls of your feet rather than the heels.
This reduces the amount of shock, but it causes the body to shift forward. All of your weight gets placed on the balls of your feet, which puts stress on the calf muscles and Achilles tendons.
In the middle is the mid-foot running style. This lets the different areas of the foot hit the ground at the same time, absorbing the shock of the ground.
Your body’s weight gets distributed throughout the feet. That reduces strain on the muscles and tendons.
- Learn Which Running Style Is Best
While forefoot first is the most efficient running style, does that mean you should change your stride?
Not necessarily. It depends on the type of running that you do and the terrain. If you’re a sprinter, you’d benefit from a forefoot strike running style.
Trail runners might incorporate different types of styles on a single run to adapt to changing conditions.
Beginners can use mid-foot strikes to get used to the activity. This is important for overweight runners because the extra pounds don’t cause excessive strain on the muscles.
- Get the Right Gear to Define Your Running Style
Now that you understand the mechanics of different running styles, let’s talk about fashion. Running is a chance to show off your personality and style while you’re working out.
Remember that you don’t want to sacrifice comfort for style. That will only make you miserable during your runs.
Go with running shirts that have sweat absorption technology. They should be fitted, but comfortable to move in. Running in oversized shirts could compromise your arm swing.
You can run in leggings, shorts, or whatever you find comfortable. Again, comfort is key. If you can’t perform a bodyweight squat in the pants, don’t wear them for running.
- Get the Right Accessories
There’s a good chance you’ll want to listen to your favorite podcast or music on your run. You’ll need a good set of Bluetooth headphones and a way to carry your phone.
This is where you need to think ahead. You’ll have your keys, wallet, phone, and headphones with you. It’s hard to find the right accessory that’s comfortable and fashionable.
You wouldn’t want to get caught wearing a fanny pack, right?
There are a couple of ways to do this. Minimize the size of what you have to carry.
You don’t need a big bulky wallet. Bring a little cash, your driver’s license, and a credit or debit card.
Only carry the most important keys with you. You don’t need every single key on your keychain.
Try to buy running pants with pockets. There are some that have side pockets for a phone and keys.
If it’s cold, wear a light jacket with pockets. You’ll stay warm and have a place for your things.
- Buy Running Shoes and Socks
Running shoes and socks will have the biggest impact on your run. There are shoes designed for your stride and running style.
The right shoe and sock combination prevents friction. Friction is what causes blisters to form.
Ideally, your running shoes express your fashion sense and support your body. You can go for New Balance shoes like the 990 or 725. These are classic shoes built for everyday wear and running stability.
You can read the full article on KicksCrew.com to learn how to pick the right New Balance shoes.
Beginner runners should start with an everyday running shoe. These shoes provide stability and support throughout the feet.
If you’re working on speed, lightweight running shoes work well.
You might want to get a couple of pairs that look good with different running looks. You can rotate the running shoes to reduce wear and tear.
Start Running With an Improved Running Style
Your running style says so much about you. The biomechanics of your running style shows what kind of runner you are. The clothes you wear show your fashionable side.
Hopefully, you learned how to explore both to have a complete running style.
For more fashionable tips, check out the other articles on the blog.
