Running Form

Hip flexors are one of those things runners love to blame. Tight hips. Short strides. Low back pain. That nagging feeling that something just isn’t working right. And while hip flexors are rarely the only issue, they play a meaningful role in how we run and how problems can start to show up. The hip flexors are a group of muscles that help advance the leg during running. After your foot leaves the ground, they help bring the thigh forward so you can take your next step. They

When we think about running form, we often focus on cadence, foot strike, or how our arms move, and these are all important. But there’s another key piece that plays a major role in performance, efficiency, and injury risk: the push-off phase. The push-off is when your back foot generates force to propel you into your next stride. You might not think about it much, but this moment plays a critical role in how well you run. What Is the Push-Off Phase? The push-off marks the en

Thirty-five might still feel young, but in the world of running, it marks an important milestone—you’ve officially become a masters runner! While it sounds like a fancy title, it simply reflects that your body is beginning to change in ways that affect how you train, recover, and stay injury-free. But don’t worry—this isn’t about slowing down. With smarter strategies, you can stay fast, fit, and injury-free for decades. Whether you’re male or female, understanding the nuances

When runners talk about performance or injury, the focus usually lands on the knees, hips, or even cadence. But there’s one small joint that quietly makes or breaks your stride: the big toe. Specifically, the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, the hinge that allows your big toe to extend during push-off. It might not look like much, but without proper mobility and strength here, your entire chain from foot to hip is forced to compensate. Over miles, that can affect perfor

When we think about running form, we often focus on cadence, foot strike, or how our arms move, and these are all important. But there’s another key piece that plays a major role in performance, efficiency, and injury risk: the push-off phase. The push-off is when your back foot generates force to propel you into your next stride. You might not think about it much, but this moment plays a critical role in how well you run. What Is the Push-Off Phase? The push-off marks the en

If you’ve ever seen a dog bolting down a trail with ears flying, legs stretching, total bliss on four paws, it’s easy to think, this is the perfect running partner. And for a lot of runners, it is. Your dog doesn’t care about your pace, has endless enthusiasm, and keeps you honest on the days motivation is nowhere to be found. But if you're working toward a performance goal or coming back from injury, logging miles with your pup might feel... different. Not bad. Just differen

There’s no such thing as perfect running form. That’s not just a catchphrase, it’s backed by both research and clinical experience. Your form isn’t fixed. Your stride, foot strike and posture all shifts depending on your pace, terrain, level of fatigue, and even how well you slept last night. And that’s not a problem. In fact, it’s how the body distributes stress and adapts to different demands. Understanding how your stride changes can help you train smarter, reduce injury r

Hip flexors are one of those things runners love to blame. Tight hips. Short strides. Low back pain. Fexors are rarely the only issue, they play a meaningful role in how we run and how problems can start to show up. The hip flexors are a group of muscles that help advance the leg during running. After your foot leaves the ground, they help bring the thigh forward so you can take your next step. They also assist with pelvic and trunk control, helping manage the forces that tra

Most runners don’t realize they’re overstriding. It often shows up when you are trying to run faster, increase mileage, or push through fatigue. But when your foot lands too far out in front of your body, you increase braking forces and slow yourself down. You also increase the risk of common overuse injuries. Overstriding happens when your foot strikes the ground ahead of your center of mass, typically with a more extended knee and a heel-first contact. This position increas