Some people say they don’t run because they are afraid they will get laughed at by doing it wrong, or they are too slow and won’t be taken seriously. Especially around Greenlake on a sunny day.
I get that.
But, being a coach, sometimes I do see some people who get around the lake in a running fashion, and want to take them aside and give them unsolicited advice about how to run a little more efficiently. I would do it very nicely and give them a little pat on the fanny to let them know that I care. Some of the things I see may resemble positions from a colorful persons resume, but they are also names to describe people with bad running form.
Pirate- Take your arms, and swing them to and fro, across your body, like you are going to sing a shanty or pillage some booty. Strong and across your body. Arrree! You can even sing out “Yo-ho-ho” when doing this. Hey, that’s great! This move should only be used by pirates or pretending to be a pirate, and not for runners. Arms should move in the direction you are moving, and not in front of your body.
Bouncer Your name is now Scud, or Snake. You’re wearing leather, with studs and checking and winking at underage girls trying to get into a club with their fake id’s. You jump high in the sky to check how big the line is that it trying to get into your hip new club. Please do not run this way. Calves, in jumping or bouncing manner, should not be used much, and this is where shin splints come from the bouncy runner. This is also very painful watching a women runner who bounces too much while wearing a bad sports bra. (Ouch) Think about engaging your quads more, to move smoothly. Smooooth, not bouncy. Bouncy=Bad.
Office Worker 12 hour says, hunched over a keyboard. If you remove desk and keyboard, throw on some wicking clothes and run. The same posture, you just sat at for your work day, hunched over, with a c-shaped spine, then you are an office worker who hasn’t left their work completely. This is not good as well. Pulling back your shoulders and getting your spine in a more I-shape. This will help you breathe easier and get your body and mind away from the office.
If you run like a runner, and you are a runner