Another "cue" this time and it is principally addressing the importance of proper alignment/posture. This is my third of the, " 5 Keys for Instinctive Running". #1- Centerfoot Landing, #2- Center Mass, #3- Relaxed Centered Laser Beam. This third one I'm sure will sound bizarre at first but like any "cue" for proper form it is significant to me, which is why it works.
" Relaxed Centered Laser Beam ", is actually a cue I first used when learning to swim freestyle. The cue in swimming form was actually- relaxed floating laser beam. In my swimming it reminded me to relax and position my body in the best position for swimming. In the water you want to shape yourself to slice through the water efficiently and work with the water, not try to overpower it. To keep your body flat in relation to the surface of the water is best and to not have the legs/lower body sink which creates drag.
In running the "cue" gets me focused on proper alignment of the spine and maintaining good posture. By having the skeleton bear your weight in proper alignment, the muscles can be used less and therefore reduce fatigue. I want the hips level and to do this I slightly engage the core muscles which are the prime stabilizers which keeps the pelvis/lower back/hips correctly positioned. After relaxing, the laser beam reference is about picturing a line going through the center of the body (spine), projecting a laser beam out the top of the head, and coming out the other end as well.
When these first three cues are thought of- the following is what my running form will hopefully look like: A centerfoot landing, close to my center of mass, with proper alignment of my posture. Running relaxed and tall, not overstriding and with a higher cadence/shorter stride rhythm........
The "cues" a person uses should be there own and should be easily remembered and recalled anytime it is necessary to bring the form back in line. I suggest short simple phrases or individual words that evoke the image of the proper form/technique elements, you are trying to achieve.
These 3 of my "5 Keys for Instinctive Running", are the most basic and involve actual physical movement, the remaining two I will discuss next time.
