I Have the Worst Running Form in the World

I’m convinced I have the worst running form of all time.

The few pictures I have featured on GMHO of me running have been carefully selected to not expose my hideous form. The worst part? I have never realized that I look ridiculous when I run until I saw the pictures of me running my marathon.

It’s embarrassing to think of how much I have run in the past and how many people have witnessed the wretched sight. Since I have become a consistent runner over the past three years, I’ve grown to feel comfortable in my terrible form, which I am not okay with anymore.

This is how I run:

• Wrists bent.
• Fingers making some sort of accidental gang sign?
• Hunched over.
• Arms crossing my body.
• Hands facing down.

Like…I don’t even understand how this feels normal to me. And BELIEVE me — that picture is BY FAR not the worst one. (I have banished those. No one should witness them.)

Somehow, I have run multiple races with my “unique” form, getting through them and even improving my times. Within this past year, however, I have made a conscious effort to improve. This goal of looking “normal” when I run is now a top priority for me as I train for my half marathon.

No more “t-rex arms,” as Matt calls them. And no more looking like an old lady hunched over.

I will become a normal-looking runner if it’s the last thing I do! It has been difficult to improve, since I can’t actually see myself running, but with the help of my man friend, I’m making some progress. We did my 10-mile run on Sunday together, and I think it’s the most progress I have made so far. I’m usually pretty bad with accepting advice when I run because I often go to an angry place because running is uncomfortable. (That’s another thing I’m trying to improve upon.) So a big thank you to my wonderful boyfriend for helping me out and being patient.

Overall, I guess my running form isn’t the worst…

It’s still pretty bad though. To become a “normal”-looking runner, I’m trying to stay aware of certain things from now on, such as:

• Standing up straight, especially when I’m feeling fatigued.
• Keeping wrists straight.
• Maintaining a loose fist, so my fingers aren’t making strange symbols.
• Positioning my hands vertically, not facing down.
• Actually using my arms by pumping them to help propel myself forward. (I have a feeling treadmill running has led to me not doing this enough.)

On top of just looking “normal,” I know correcting these problems will help me become a better, faster runner because I won’t be wasting energy overcompensating for the discrepancies in my form. I have a feeling a lot of my problems are tied together, too, so hopefully if I correct one or two of them, the rest will follow suit.

Questions for you:

Do you struggle with maintaining good running form?

Do you have any ridiculously bad race photos? For real, guys, I have some really ugly ones…