In Search Of the Perfect Running Form

What is efficient running form?
Here is a dictionary definition of the word efficient.

ADJECTIVE:

1. Acting directly to produce an effect: an efficient cause. See Synonyms at effective.
2. Acting or producing effectively with a minimum of waste, expense, or unnecessary effort.
1. Exhibiting a high ratio of output to input. ( from Houghton Mifflin)

From this definition we can make several observations about efficiency. First, that which is efficient produces an effect. If we desire to run better, with less injury, more capacity for training or increased performance then only that which produces these effects can be efficient. If we maintain that something is efficient, yet it does not produce these things then we are at odds with the definition.

Next, efficiency is the most direct path to the desired effect. An example of this principle would be that if I want to run forward yet much of my movement is side to side then this is not by definition efficient. A direct extension of this meaning of efficiency is that the desired effect must be achieved with a minimum of unnecessary effort to be considered efficient.

Although we can talk about the details of running form technique, which conform to this definition, it might do little good if we do not have the foundation firmly established. Have you seen that most often the winners of a race seem to be those who are expending the least effort?  This is true of individual runners, running a career best race, too. They often say something to the effect that they had felt a race was easy and that they could have run faster. Helen Klein, ultra runner now in her eighties, says that she runs within herself and she listens to her body. She is an example of longevity. Using no more energy than what is necessary is a key skill.

An aggressive attitude might be considered necessary for athletic performance by some, yet now we can see by the definition that unless our energy is controlled, we can use more energy than is necessary, becoming inefficient, and working against ourselves. What is not gentle (that is, works against the body’s bio-mechanical design), direct, and fluid is not efficient.

I make these points about efficiency before any more discussion of running form because as I look back over the running injuries that I have had in my life, in every case they were caused by some misunderstanding of efficiency which resulted in poor use of my body. Gentle, direct, and fluid, we will call these the foundation.