As I was out running a 15 mile run this last Saturday I had a lot of time to think and observe. I have noticed in the past that there are some awkward running styles out there but most people fall into only a few categories. I thought I would share a few that I observed with you all.
The TechnicianLooking as though he or she came running out of his or her mother’s womb the Technician is the ultimate in running style and technique. The Technician frequently graces the covers of Running magazine, Outdoor, National Geographic, etc. displaying the flawless running technique that, although most hope to, few will ever achieve.
The Technician’s style cannot be taught...it must come naturally. The Technician makes use of an upright posture with an ever so slight forward lean, the arms are a little higher than the waistline, legs strong and head held high...it is the kind of style that makes even Lance Armstrong sit back and say "Live Strong brother...Live Strong"!
The Jim FixxPopularized in his best selling book "The Complete Book of Running" James F. Fixx is the godfather of the modern jogging (pronounced with a hard "j") movement. The Jim Fixx style is the one most often seen throughout the world. A soft, easy jog with a desired distance of between one and four miles.
The Jim Fixx is the blue collar, working man’s style. The style your grandfather grew up with. One that can be enjoyed by almost any man, woman or child and will continued to be enjoyed for decades, if not centuries, to come. James F. Fixx (April 23, 1932 - July 20, 1984)
author’s note - he died at 52 after going for a jog
The StrongmanThe Strongman’s natural habitat is in the gym where he or she feels comfortable among his or her peers. Running is an unnatural movement for the Strongman and, as such, the Strongman has an awkward stride. The elbows are kept close to the body, however, the arms stick out ever so slightly and there is a strange back and forth thing going on. To do the Strongman bring your arms up and in as though you are going to flap your wings like a chicken and twist from side to side...now run. Awkward is it not!
The Jimmy DuranteProbably my favorite of the running styles. The Jimmy Durante can be seen steaming down paths across America like a bullet train ripping through the countryside of Europe. No one knows for sure why the Jimmy Durante happens. It is a rare sighting and one not to be taken lightly. I have heard that pictures of the Jimmy Durante go for quite a pretty penny on the internet. The Jimmy Durante is usually going a few mph faster than his or her brethren runners out there making it quite a sight indeed.
The Jimmy Durante is characterized by an overarching lean forward, head held high and the nose of the participant leaning out as far as possible. Picture the winning horse at the Kentucky Derby or the Olympic sprinter sticking it all out there hoping that maybe by leaning as far forward as possible they may just get that extra inch they need to bring home the gold. The Jimmy Durante runner looks as though if they stop they just might fall over, head first into the ground with only their nose to catch the fall.
If you think you might fall into this category, the author highly recommends a style change immediately.
The Schingler ShuffleRumored to have been originated by James Henry Schingler at the turn of the eighteenth century, the Schingler Shuffle is the ultimate style for retaining energy and maintaining endurance. It has recently been brought back and perfected by Richard and ultimately stolen and emulated by Jason. Place the arms at the side, making sure not to raise them any higher than the waistline, and shuffle the feet as you increase your forward trajectory. The feet are not to go much higher than a few inches so as not to use any unnecessary energy.
This style can be seen in various endurance races throughout the world.... most notably in Northern and Southern California.
You most likely fit into one of these or maybe you are some awkward combination of a few of them. Wherever you lie amongst your running peers be sure to embrace all that you are as a runner. I will be most likely be Schingler shuffling around the beach for 8 miles in a few hours.
- San Diego
