Running Form: How to Run Faster and Prevent Injury

by Owen Anderson

For many runners, running technique is an afterthought—one they don’t think about until an injury or plateau keeps them from achieving their goals. Running Form underscores the importance of proper form and shows you how to elevate your performance to the greatest possible extent with the smallest risk of injury. Owen Anderson, PhD, is a coach to elite runners from around the globe. In Running Form , he describes the common problem of runners moving on “square wheels” by braking with each step, adopting inefficient stances, or risking injury with excessive ground impact. He pinpoints the components of good form—foot-strike, shin and shank angle, stance time, cadence, body lean, and posture—to help you understand where you can make small changes that offer significant improvements. Then, using a basic video camera or smartphone, you can analyze your own form and apply specific drills and exercises to correct any deficiencies. Numerous photos incorporate lines and arrows to help you clearly identify the appropriate angles and movements of sound technique. No expensive software or biomechanics degree is required to learn how to run faster and with more efficiency and to significantly reduce your risk of injury. Get rid of those running patterns that hurt performance and destroy running economy. Running Form gives you the knowledge to perfect your running form so you can train consistently and improve with each stride.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

232 pages, Paperback

Published January 23, 2018

Reviews

[Coleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been awhile since I received this book and read it - and all my fault -I did not review it at that time. My explanation is that after I read it, I passed it on to two family members that I consider more expert in this area. So for my review, I totally enjoyed the information and advice, some of which I [not being a 'real' runner] tried and wondered how runners manage what they do.

The first of the two 'experts' to whom I passed the book to read was my daughter-in-law, just under 40 y/o, who has run many marathons, mainly half, but was preparing for her first full marathon. She reviewed the book and gave me her opinion that it was worthwhile and helpful. She succeeded in finishing that full marathon in Charlotte NC without any injuries, which seems to be always the mother-in-law's concern [that would be me].

The second 'expert' was less of an expert. My son, over 40 y/o, not the husband of the daughter-in-law - who had only ever run one half marathon, but was preparing for a full marathon, also reviewed the book. He likewise appreciated the information and advice in the book and was successful recently in York PA in finishing his full marathon in under 4 and 1/2 hours without any injuries [also a mother's concern].

My thoughts would be that runners need to have as much information as they can to be successful and avoid injuries.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Duong (Ufo) Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a beginner runner like me, the knowledge was very eye-opening. I loved learning about the science behind the form. Understanding the fundamentals and the why makes the application of theory much easier. I loved how the author compared the bad form and the good form as well.

However, to me, the writing style was quite lengthy and redundant in a lot of places.

[Guitarranalongmail.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imteresting and instructive but quite repetitive.

[Thuan Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've run day-by-day for a couple of years. So I know real benefits of running economy: run faster without injuries. Then I only read the first part of this book and skimmed the rest.
The most valuable thing I learned from this book is how to measure your form. You'll be familiar several factors related to your legs on road like: SAT (shark angle at touchdown), MSA (maximum shank angle), and ROS (reversal of swing) and film your form.
I recommend Chi running if you want something step-by-step. In my case, I have practiced ACBD drills (you can find it on YouTube), do some speed works before the run and running barefoot on easy days. It takes time, but your form will change gradually.

[Ian Yarington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because over the many years of organized sports I've all but ruined my knees. I spent a lot of time playing football and baseball, crouching, lunging, and running all wrong for years on end. This book gave me some helpful pointers on how to run better and keep me from hurting my knees further.

[Nguyen Harley Phuong · Rating 5 out of 5]

very informative in scientific pov about running form. It’s really helpful for runners at all levels. I read the book and realized many problems in my running forms and the author also provides some guidance to fix them as well as improve running form and running economy in general. For sure it will help us to be better runners. Thank you.

[Seth W · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit technical and would find implementing difficult for a high school program, but there is some great specific advise about form and pieces that can be implemented for those looking to improve running economy.

[Carlos Eduardo Madureira Trufen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book on running form, showing in many ways how to improve running economy starting from the beginning, the running posture. The critique on running shoes feels outdated as of 2025, but if we skip this, the book feels like a reference to use for running drills and exercises.

[George Fillerup · Rating 2 out of 5]

very complicated book

Much too much information for an average runner. as summary of the entire book would be all that is needed

[Glen House · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read with some great ideas about analyzing running form. I have already started using many of these techniques with my runners I coach.