To evaluate your running form, ask someone in your Sun Run running group to “check you out.” Ask them to look and point out anything that they notice about your posture and arm swing. If you find something that is an easy fix, try it. It may take a while to adjust to the change and if it feel better, great! Sometimes a different view and a little attention to your running form can be just the tweak you need.

Upper back tension starts with the head position, keeping your head straight and looking forward will help relax the shoulders. Pinching your shoulders back will cause the shoulder blades to ride too close together and cause tension as well as stress your neck. It can also cut off your breathing and you will tire out faster.

Robert Esmie, Olympic & World Gold Medalist, COC & Canadian Hall of Famer also offers this tip. Minimize any crossing of the hands in front of you. Run with an open hand with fingers lightly touching. Keep your arms pumping at your sides and above your waist. This will help with your breathing and transfer the momentum of the upper body down to your hips and legs for speed rather than cause a rotative strain to your lower back.

Robert can be reached at his training facility in Surrey at robertesmie@yahoo.ca or www.airblastoff.com

Tilman von der Linde, RMT.