About the
Balanced Runner
Running technique coaching for performance, injury prevention and enjoyment.
The Balanced Runner philosophy focuses on key cues and small changes to technique over time to get you running faster, while using less energy. The focus is on making sure the whole body is in balance and alignment to get the most forward propulsion with the least amount of excess movement. This is achieved through a series of easy to understand cues which give immediate benefit, and can be further refined and worked on over time.
Paul has worked with hundreds of athletes in Australia and overseas since becoming a full time technique coach almost a decade ago, and using this experience he has developed an online technique program to help all runners.
The core program is a series of cues which are explained via video with explanations and further summary key points. The video series is designed to be worked through at your own pace, and also helps you to understand your own technique so you can make the necessary adjustments as you go. This balance between advice that works for just about everyone but helps you to understand your own movement is what is special about the Balanced Runner program.
Paul Mackinnon
The Coach
The Balanced Runner is headed by Paul Mackinnon, who lived a sporting life as a semi-professional hockey player for 15 years playing in Australia and Europe, allowing him access to high performance programs, athletes and coaches around the world. Since retiring he has developed The Balanced Runner coaching business to help athletes. The philosophy was developed largely by Lex Anderson in Canberra and further refined by Paul over close to a decade practising as a professional running technique coach.
Paul takes one-to-one sessions in Melbourne, Australia, in addition to the Online Program, and also regularly travels to Queensland to hold sessions. If you are interested in a one-to-one session, you can contact Paul here or at [email protected].
Digital and Video
Behind the digital and video element of the Balanced Runner online memberships is Alex Tyrrell.
Alex is an accomplished runner with Western Athletics and Hunter A&R who has worked in digital for many years with both L’Oréal Australia and Nike, and is helping to bring the digital memberships to life.
You can contact Alex at [email protected].
Photography
Majority of the photos that are not taken by Alex are from Riley Wolff and all photos from the Bowerman Track Club camp are by Anderson Bobo. Both are extremely talented photographers who share some great running content on instagram, check them out:
@thewolfferine
@bobo.studios
Alex Tyrrell
Online Running Technique Improvement
The online program is specifically designed for you to improve your running technique. The core program is built from insights from working with hundreds of runners from beginner through to Olympians. An exclusive and unique video series for you to work through step-by-step to achieve your running goals.
In Person Coaching Sessions
Paul is located in Melbourne, Australia and also regularly travels to Queensland to conduct sessions. In addition to the online program, Paul is also available for in-person one-to-one sessions. If you are in Australia, or have an enquiry, please get in touch.
Why do you need to improve your running technique?
The Balanced Runner philosophy is about running technique coaching for performance, injury prevention and enjoyment.
Running is a skill and movement pattern that can be learnt, just like a golf swing, football kick or tennis backhand.
The Balanced Runner philosophy has been developed over time to allow runners to feel their improvements by focusing on cues and not outcomes. With a top-down approach, starting with the upper body and gradual improvements over time that has been proven to work for hundreds of runners to achieve their goals.
In Melbourne, Australia, Paul Mackinnon has developed his reputation as an expert over many years, working with athletes of all levels from beginner through to professional. We are now excited to be able to bring this expertise to an international audience through the online program to help as many athletes as possible to run faster, injury free and enjoy their running more.
Explore more about the Balanced Runner Program, contact us, or hear from athletes who have benefitted:
Articles, podcast appearances and running technique tips
See all of the latest from the Balanced Runner including interviews and podcasts featuring Paul, video appearances, feature articles and running technique tips.
One of the foundations of Running Technique explained – Running vs Walking Mechanic
Paul breaks down the common mechanics in both walking and running, and how using the proper running mechanic can make you more powerful, more economical and less prone to injury.
Is There An Ideal Cadence When Running?
Cadence in running is so poorly used and in most cases poorly understood.For those wondering, cadence is the number of steps taken within a minute. It is an outcome…
Broadsheet Feature Article: The Science To Help You Become a Better Runner
Broadsheet Feature Article: The Science To Help You Become a Better Runner 3 June 2023 | Category: Running Technique AdviceThis article originally appeared in Broadsheet in May 2023 as a feature between Paul MacKinnon and Puma Nitro. Photography by Liana Hardy....
The Ultimate Running Form Episode with the Strength Running Podcast
The Ultimate Running Form Episode with the Strength Running Podcast 10 May 2023 | Category: PodcastPaul joined Jason Fitzgerald on the Strength Running Podcast for a great chat about everything running & running form. This podcast appearance initially came about...
Running Technique learnings from Galen Rupp
I have been lucky enough to work with Galen Rupp a few times over the past year as he looked to get back to his best for the marathon, find out some of the key learnings.
Congratulations Brett Robinson – Australian Marathon Record
I’ve been working with Brett Robinson for a little while now and a few weeks ago in the lead up to the Fukuoka Marathon we recorded the session to give some insight into Brett’s focus.
Jakob & Henrik Ingebrigtsen Form Comparison
This is just a very short breakdown of the form of the Ingebrigtsen brothers while they jog together.
Paul joins For The Kudos Podcast for a Technique Q&A
Paul has been working with both Brett and Joel over the past couple of years to improve their technique and their performance, so the boys invited him on to one of the Question & Answer episodes of the Podcast.
Running Technique Coaching vs Strength & Conditioning
If you have followed Paul for a while, you will know that he likes to have a bit of fun at the expense of the idea of a strength program improving your running technique. In this discussion with Exercise Scientist Nick Jankovskis we take the chance to explore where strength training does improve running and where it does not.
Common Misconceptions – Do Running Drills and Activation Improve Your Technique?
There are many common misconceptions around running and running technique. We are here to break down some common ones. Do drills, strength work and activation help your running technique?
An example of Stride & Cadence with Paul Chelimo and Luis Orta
I saw this video recently and thought it was a great opportunity to highlight the difference movement can make to running at top speed.
If you’ve been following for a while you’ll know I don’t use cadence as a cue, but it is a good indicator. In this case Paul Chelimo is 204 and Luis Orta is 240.
Timing of your movement when running
The timing of your movement is critical when running. This article outlines how to think about this and the affect it can have on injury. Running in time on your left and right side is a vital aspect of becoming a balanced runner.
Paul joins the Effortless Swimming Podcast
Paul and Brenton connected a little while ago over the similarities of their methodology and disruption of technique coaching, hence Brenton’s name for this podcast is ‘The Effortless Swimming of Running’, or as we might call it, Paul joined ‘The Balanced Runner of Swimming’!
How do you hold your shoulders when running?
How do you hold your shoulders when you are running? In this summary, we outline the common issues with tension in shoulders that many runners exhibit and how to switch off or open up your shoulders and the impact it can have.
How Do You Identify Your Running Technique?
A lot of people don’t take the time to be fully aware of what their body is doing while they are running. This article explains how to work through each part of your body and feel what is doing while you are running, and how to feel your own movement pattern.
Paul joins the Dusty Allen Show Podcast
The Dusty Allen show is borne on the premise that extraordinary stories are everywhere, you just need to know where to find them. Listen to the chat between Paul and Dusty.
Triathlon Victoria – The Performance Centre: Performance Running
Watch the Triathlon Victoria Performance Centre series, where Paul joined a host of other high-level coaches to discuss various aspects of performance running.
Why you should listen to your foot strike while running
Find out why all runners should listen to their feet and their ground contact when running on a wet or loose surface.
The Inside Running Podcast Featuring Paul Mackinnon
The Inside Running Podcast Featuring Paul Mackinnon Article | 28/1/2020 | Category: PodcastAfter working with Julian Spence on his technique over the last few months, Paul joins him for a chat about running, life and his philosophy of running technique coaching. The...
Maximising running technique with the Athlete’s Garage Podcast
Maximising running technique with the Athlete’s Garage Podcast Article | 20 December 2019 | Category: PodcastThe Athlete’s Garage is a podcast by The Motion Mechanic and Paul joined them in November 2019 to discuss everything about running technique with Trang Nguyen....
Who Taught You to Run? With METS Performance Consulting
Who Taught You to Run? With METS Performance ConsultingPaul joins the team from METS Performance Consulting on the Physiology Secrets podcast to discuss running technique and the potential impact it has on performance for all athletes.Have you ever stopped to think...
Triathlon Taren Podcast Interview
Triathlon Taren Podcast InterviewPaul joined Triathlon Taren for a video based session to review his technique and then an interview on his Podcast. You can listen below and check out more of Taren’s work at https://mymottiv.com/ or on YouTube at...
Runner Chats with Paul Mackinnon
Runner Chats with Paul Mackinnon A laid back chat about life and running with Pete and Nathan from Runner Chats. Ranging from everything from hockey to Run the Bay Relay and a little bit of technique. Check out the podcast below or the rest of their great work...
Zero to Half-Marathon in 4 Months
Zero to Half-Marathon in 4 Months 3 May 2018 | Category: Running Technique AdviceThis article was first featured in Men’s Fitness Magazine. Paul MacKinnon, aka the balanced runner, gives us some simple tips on how to get from the couch to a half marathon in a few...
Post from Spoonful of Sarah: The one fix that changed my running life
Post from Spoonful of Sarah: The one fix that changed my running life This post is originally from Spoonful of Sarah – The one fix that changed my running life by Sarah HollowayAs you may also know, running is not my exercise of choice both because it doesn’t come...
5 Ways to Improve Your 10km Time
5 Ways to Improve Your 10km Time 16 May 2017 | Category: Running Technique AdviceThis article was originally featured in Body + Soul as part of the lead up to Run Melbourne. Check out the article here. To a non-runner, the thought of running 10 kilometres is pretty...