Good Form In Running

When you're a child you start running and there is no instructions as to how to run - good or bad form you don't care - you just do it.   However when it comes to running distance you need to work on your form or the feet, back and legs can hurt and make the difference if you make your running goals or not.   Here is a few points I've learnt over the years:

Head:
Runners (like me) have a tendency to run with their heads down as if they don't want to know how far they have to go.   It is important to fight this tendency and to have good running form, by lifting your head and running with your eyes straight ahead.  I find my running time is quite improved by doing this.

Arms:
It is important that you keep your arms close to your body, with relaxed hands and don't over swing your arms - (it uses up unnessary energy).

Legs:
Don't come down hard, flat footed - I use to run this way when I became tired, and in a long race your feet can really hurt.   Instead Push off from the ball of your foot and land on the heel first, rolling down the lenght of your foot. 

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. (Psalm 24:7)