PUBLISHED 10/04/2006
Leaning too far forward when you run can cause lower-back pain, neck and shoulder fatigue, and side stitches--all of which will cause you to slow down or increase your effort unnecessarily. This two-part drill will help you maintain the ideal upright position. Try it at the beginning of each run, when you resume running after a walk break, or whenever you begin to tire during a workout.
1. Take a deep breath, which naturally encourages your torso and upper back to straighten and promotes an upright posture.
2. Maintain the upright position from the deep breath and imagine that you are a puppet on a string suspended from above. This entails further stretching yourself up to your full height with your back comfortably straight, your head in line with your shoulders, and your hips lined up underneath.
