That’s because you suck at it. Pretty simple. I know I suck at running; it is without a doubt my biggest weakness. At least it was. I didn’t know how to run properly; hence I was not very good at it.

At CrossFit we stress proper form, range of motion, posture in every movement we do. We drill you on squats, deadlifts, cleans, jerks, kettlebell swings, hell even throwing a medicine ball at the wall has a right way and wrong way. But when it comes to running we just open the door and remind you that the clock is running so don’t doddle.

I’ve recently been turned onto POSE running. It is a running style that utilizes gravity, muscle elasticity, and the natural efficiency of proper body mechanics. Not only is it more efficient allowing you to run farther, faster and with less effort, but it will also help prevent common overuse injuries.

Here is the typical running style of someone today. They will use a huge drive off the back leg, basically leaping forward, and land on the heel of their other foot, planting it well ahead of their centre of mass. That should already be pointing out the inefficiency of this style of running; you are leaping into the air, and putting the brakes on when you land.

With the POSE method the first thing is the posture. You’re standing up straight, arms bent greater then 90 degrees and kept close to the body. While POSE running you land on the ball of your foot (not your toes), with your foot landing under your centre of mass (not braking your forward momentum at all) and instead of driving off the back leg, leaping your weight into the air against gravity, you let yourself fall forward and just pull your foot off the ground with your hamstrings making a figure 4 with your legs. This method uses a much faster cycle rate of the feet, and at first, a shorter stride, but as you get into it and start running faster your stride length could actually get longer. You don’t ever wind up with a straight locked knee. You’re kept relaxed and bouncy, taking advantage of the elastic energy in your muscles instead of the brute “oomph” in them.

Obviously there is much more to it then that but if you start with that you will soon notice a difference. A few things you can try. Try running on the spot. Are you landing on your heels? No? Now try to do it as softly as you can. Feeling comfortable? Now just lean forward the tiniest bit and off you go.

For more information on POSE running check out this video and demonstration.

Chris Walls is a Personal Trainer at the Crossfit Kelowna training centre.  For more information on Crossfit, please visit http://www.crossfitkelowna.com