BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - The Benefits of Adding Running Form Drills

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about running form drills. Why? Because whether you're young, old, new to running, or a seasoned runner, taking steps (yes, that's a pun) to ensure that your running form is good can pay dividends in numerous ways. 

By optimizing your mechanics, you can run with less effort, conserve energy, and potentially run faster and longer. And who doesn’t want that right? Especially with the Bass Pro Fitness Series training starting soon! Which means it’s a great time to learn about the benefits of these drills and to incorporate them into your warm up or perform as their own workout  

Want to know more? We’ll…Here's a more detailed look at the benefits:

1. Increased Efficiency and Endurance:
A smooth, controlled running form allows you to cover more ground with less effort, leading to increased speed and endurance. By optimizing your stride and using your body effectively, you can conserve energy and run for longer distances without feeling as fatigued. 

*This is actually something I've been working on for the last year. Not only have I gotten faster but, by correcting my form (still a work in progress), it takes fewer steps to complete my morning run than before I started using the drills. 

2. Reduced Risk of Injury:
Proper form minimizes the stress on your joints and muscles, reducing the likelihood of overuse injuries like shin splints, stress fractures, and knee pain.

By ensuring proper alignment and a balanced distribution of force, you can prevent injuries caused by poor mechanics.

3. Improved Running Performance:
Optimized form can lead to faster run times and improved running economy, meaning you can run faster with less energy expenditure. 

One of the ways this happens is through improving leg stiffness, or the elastic effect that allows you to act as a sort of spring with your legs compressing and rebounding more efficiently. Poor leg stiffness can slow you down, as it leads to more ground contact time

*This will spill over into your overall enjoyment. Great news if you've been dreading your runs recently or walking away from them disappointed.  

By focusing on specific aspects of form, such as stride length, cadence, and foot strike, you can enhance your overall running efficiency and performance.

4. Other Benefits:
Improved posture and body mechanics can lead to a more comfortable and enjoyable running experience.

By correcting imbalances and weaknesses, you can also improve your overall athleticism and strength.

Proper form can also make it easier to recover from runs, as your body experiences less wear and tear. Once again, this will lead to your overall enjoyment of running. 

Furthermore, runners who regularly incorporate drills into their training are better able to recruit muscles needed for the task, not only leaving them less injury-prone as I said before but, given that an improvement to running economy can be just as good as an improvement in VO2max when it comes to that final number on the stopwatch, it only makes sense to squeeze as much “free speed” out of one’s performance as possible.

The key to developing good running form is to ingrain proper movement patterns into your muscle memory so that they become automatic. And proper movements can be trained through running drills. With proper movement patterns instilled as the default setting, you will be better prepared when fatigue threatens to break down your form. How’s that for a great reason to working on your running form? 

So without further ado then, check out these 15 Best Running Form Drills from Runner's World Magazine. Run Coach Eric Norton said these form drills should be done barefoot when possible because "Most of the strength runners need first and foremost is neuromuscular strength and stability, where the brain is firing and activating muscles, and this starts at the feet." Runners should aim for two to three sets of each drill during their warmup routines and start off with simpler drills and progress up. 

Eric went on to say, "New drills can really help as we age to maintain or even improve elastic energy and build strong, resilient tendons and ligaments. Most veteran runners get stuck doing the same things, so anytime we can add a challenge for the brain and body, it will respond." Further proof that regularly doing Running Form Drills will benefit everyone at every stage of their running journey. 

And there you have it friends. Whether you're you're young, old, new to running, or a seasoned runner, taking steps to improve your running form will pay dividends in more ways than one. You'll not only run better but will gain increased balance, flexibility and mobility that will help you in all of your other daily activities as well. How's that for a win? So, incorporate some Running Form Drills into your routine. Come race day, you'll be so glad you did. Happy Running!