I’m running a marathon in October. So the other day, I was doing some research on what optimal running form looks like; from core stabilization and chest angle, to arm placement and where on the foot you’re supposed to strike the ground when you run.
While there were literally hundreds of tips I came across, the most basic, fundamental, and oft repeated suggestions were basically to run “tall” and “forward-leaning.”
Here, “tall” refers to a neutral head-to-tailbone alignment of the spine, chest open. The converse of which would be described as slouched, compact, or hunched over. To “forward-leaning” refers to the slight angle your torso should lean; just enough so that the standing weight is in your toes, but you’re not quite falling forward. The converse of which would be described as flatfooted, straight up-and-down, or even leaning back.
This posture, “tall and leaning forward”, begets a whole host of positive reactions that help you run better, faster, more efficient, and with reduced risk of injury. A tall, open chest maximizes lung capacity, allowing oxygen to flow into your lungs at maximum volume possible, bringing in the good stuff (oxygen) and exhaling the stuff your body doesn’t want or need (CO2). A slight forward lean ensures that you leverage powerful forces already at play (gravity and momentum), but also ironically ensures that your feet land under you, instead of out in front or behind you, which keeps you stable and in balance. And finally, with a tall forward posture, you are able to achieve optimal turnover and stride length (who doesn’t wanna be fast?) because from that position, you’re properly able to utilize your glutes-- some of the most powerful muscles in our body.
As I was reading all of this, I couldn’t help but see the parallels between the optimal running posture and an optimal posture for life. Many people often refer to life as “The Great Race.” It’s a marathon, not a sprint. You pace yourself, because it’s long and it can be hard. Some of us run fast, some of us run slower -- but we’re all in it. The real question is, what’s the optimal posture to run the race we call life?
I’d like to suggest that, like running, it’s probably “tall" and "leaning forward.”
When I think about the way I want to be postured to take on my one wild and precious life, tall and forward-leaning is actually a pretty good frame of reference. I hope that, when everything is said and done, I’m able to say that I ran tall. Symbolic, in many respects, to a healthy degree of confidence and strength. Chest open, so I can breathe in the absolute maximum amount of life in my lungs; breath out, exhale, and release the stuff that’s no longer serving me. At first blush, opening my chest like that seems a little counterintuitive, considering it puts many of my most valuable organs front and center. Exposed. But through the years, I’ve learned that all the most magical things life has to offer -- like connection, joy, and love -- require openness, and so often... vulnerability. I want to be forward-leaning, moving symbolically forever forward in all things, leaning into -- not away from-- moments both beautiful AND uncomfortable. I want to harness the powerful forces beyond my control, like gravity and momentum, destiny and fate, to propel me forward instead of trying so hard to fight them. And I want to put myself in position to fully leverage my strongest assets (pun intended), making me the best and most powerful that I can personally be.
If life is “The Great Race”, that’s the posture I wanna run it with.
So this week, I wanna encourage you: get out and go for a run. Long, short, fast or slow; doesn’t matter how, where, or when. Just do. And while you’re out there, gettin high, take note of your posture. Try your best to run tall and lean forward... just a little. Notice the difference it makes in your stride and pace, how much more powerful you feel, and how much easier it is to breathe. And then, consider what it would mean to live your life with this kind of posture too.
Cheerin you on. Forever and ever, ever and ever.
XOXO
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