Styles of Running
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The Differences in the Way People Run

By Jennifer Bonn

After being a cross country coach for so many years, I take a special interest in running styles. It is amazing to see the differences in the way people run. I am fascinated by the different speeds, strides and general styles with which people run. I remember when I first started coaching. I read everything that I could about the correct running form and the more that I read the more confused I became. It seemed that there were some generalities that coaches agreed upon but there were many conflicting points as well. I had a runner on my team who had the strangest style I had ever seen. His stride was more like a leap and his arms shot to the sky in a pumping motion. Something kept me from trying to change his style and he began to come in the top five in every race. I watched him continue to improve despite his unique style. Although I believe that there are some elements that should be changed, having your own style is not necessarily a bad thing.
   

I personally think that no-one should run in a way that they slam down their feet, but even this thought was put to the test the other day. I was running on the track at the gym and there was a woman who was slamming her feet down as she ran, in addition,  she was not wearing very good shoes. I couldn’t help saying something as I pulled up next to her. I said “I hope you don’t mind me saying this but if you keep landing so hard, you could injure yourself. She then proceeded to tell me about the foot operation that she had to have because of a foot defect that had always prevented her from walking correctly. The doctors had told her that she may never have complete use of her foot and the way she was running was the only way that was comfortable for her. Well, needless to say that was the last time that I have corrected anyone’s running style.
    

I go to the gym regularly to run when the weather is bad and to lift weights and cross train. As I’m working out on the elliptical, I enjoy observing those around me. The styles of running are all there, fast, slow, those who look relaxed and those who look like they would rather be doing just about anything else. There are runners who do two laps and others who look like they could run forever. It is too easy to criticize someone who runs too short a distance or who runs at a speed that a walker could beat. I will continue to observe all these different styles, but I know that each one of them should be celebrated just for the fact that they are running.