Running Form Analysis?

donymo

Is it worth spending some money on getting video/analysis of my run form and getting some run form coaching?

Or just run with what I got?

I am pretty new to running (about 2 yrs) and I've never had this done.

rlh2000

Do you have reason to think your run form is bad? Any recurring injuries? If not, I'd say not worth it. While there are some great run analyses out there by people who know their stuff, and can really benefit some runners, I'd say the majority of folks doing them really don't know much unfortunately (and I"m saying this as a PT about other PTs). I know some running stores sometimes have form clinics, so I"d say keep an eye out for that. If you do fall under the lots of injuries/know your form is horrible, then yes, can be worth it. I'd do with a PT who works with runners as the findings can be incorporated into exercises to address strength imbalances.

donymo

I have no injuries and never had due to running.
I have no reason (other than being slow) to think my form is bad.

novaavant

How is your cadence Don? If you have no obvious imbalances that cause injury I would look at trying to increase your cadence first. I'm certainly no run expert and run very slowly but have been trying to increase my cadence to the magic 190 and it really has improved my running feel. I'm not necessarily faster (yet) but my overall feeling on runs is better the faster my turnover gets. Just something to consider as a starting point.

Here is a thread for some background reading on some folks that have had gait analysis. http://members.endurancenation.us/Forums/tabid/57/aft/7719/Default.aspx

Scott Alexander

I'd always suggest a functional strength and balance assessment by a qualified PT. I started going proactively last year and my running speed has increased and my recovery from hard runs has improved as well.