Where Does Changing Your Running Form Fit Into Training?

Because of my current quadricep niggle, I analyzed my running log and came to a realization. Many coaches and YouTube running channels recommend only changing one part of your training at a time. They suggest that if you increase your volume, you should not increase your intensity and vice versa. My plan after my last marathon was to concentrate on distance to get my base back up and then focus on speed. However, I threw running form changes into the training mix, which led to my current predicament. The recommendation is only to change one thing at a time, and I changed two things.

Since last week’s update, I have cut back my mileage and focused solely on form. It took about a week, but the niggle appears to have gone away. I have started a five-minute glute activation warm-up from James Dunne. I can tell my quads and glutes are working harder when I run. My pace has slowed tremendously. My weekly mileage has plummeted. However, it’s all good since my aches and pains have disappeared, and better form will help me with my marathon endurance.

There are a lot of opinions online about running form and when/if it should be changed. Based on my experience from my last marathon, I don’t think my quads and glutes were doing enough work. Coupling that with knowing I don’t have good posture corroborates that I should concentrate on running form.

Have you ever changed your running form? How did you do it? What was the end result? Please let me know in the comments below.

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