One of the foundations of Running Technique explained – Running vs Walking Mechanic

In this video Paul breaks down one of the key components of his running technique philosophy, and also the most common mechanics for both running and walking.

This is definitely a topic that is best viewed via video so that you can see the movement broken down and hear the explanation, so we recommend you watch the video above.

The topics covered:

The three examples of mechanics that cover walking and running.

1. Walking Mechanic

The standard walking mechanic has your hand matching in time and synchronising with your opposite foot for each step. This means that the end of each lever is moving in harmony, and the timing is between the end of each lever.

2. Running Mechanic

When most people get into position to run, they automatically raise their hands, this provides a shorter lever for the arm swing. The running mechanic that generates the most power is matching and synchronising the elbow (so the end of the upper limb when hands are raised) to the knee, which is the at the end of the upper leg. This mechanic allow for the pendulum motion of the arm swing to time with the top of the knee lift and allows for the foot to fall directly beneath the body, and drive forward. 

3. A Hybrid Mechanic

Where many runners have problems, is they naturally assume a hybrid approach. This means that the elbow (hands raised for running), matches with the end of the lower leg, the foot (as with the walking mechanic). This allows for the foot to come well out in front of the body and land in front of the body, as it is timed with when the elbows are swinging back, rather than the knee being timed with the elbows swinging back – completely independent to the footstrike.