Running Tall Might Be Running You Into Trouble

🏃‍♀️ "Running Tall" Might Be Running You Into TroubleSeason 2, Episode 9 — Let Me Introduce You PodcastIn this episode, I got to pick the topic—which means Adarian already knows what’s coming. And this week, we dug into something that’s been showing up with a couple of my clients lately: the concept of "running tall."Spoiler: it's not doing them any favors.💡 Why "Running Tall" Isn't the Gold StandardTwo of my recent clients—strong, fit runners with great cardiovascular capacity—came to me with leg injuries. Both mentioned they had been taught to run with an upright posture. Why? Because "the internet said so." And that, dear reader, is how myths get legs (pun intended).Adarian and I broke down where this idea likely came from: visual bias. Coaches, trainers, and the fitness industry at large often teach from what looks right, not necessarily what works best. And standing tall while you move? It might look clean, but it leads to more abrupt collisions with the ground.🧠 Collision Management: The Missing Piece in Movement EducationWhat if the way your body handles impact—the collision—is the real key to smoother, injury-free movement?This is where Adarian dropped a critical concept: time stretch. A lowered torso helps you extend the duration of a collision, making it less jarring. When you're too upright, every step is a mini-whiplash. Joints, tissues, and the nervous system absorb that force differently—and not in a good way.It's not about absorbing impact as much as it’s about spreading it out over time.🏋️‍♀️ The Upright Epidemic in ExerciseThis tendency to hold the torso high doesn’t just show up in running. It’s everywhere—from bicep curls to lunges to cable machines. We’re so accustomed to moving with a “high torso” that we forget how much more efficient—and comfortable—movement becomes when we lower it.Adarian made a great analogy: imagine if exercise paid by the rep. You’d likely choose the position that lets you do more quality reps, not the one that feels hardest. Lowering the torso often allows you to produce more movement with less strain. That’s better ROI for your body.🎤 What Else We Covered* The false promise of posture correction and "form fixes" that end up creating more problems* Why even studies are starting to catch up to what experience has been telling us for years* How common movement cues often come from aesthetics, not effectiveness* A quick detour into shoulder mobility, elbow rotation, and the importance of fluid (viscoelastic) movement📍 Takeaways You Can Use Today* Rethink “posture”: Upright isn’t always optimal—especially for movement. Consider where your torso is, not just how your body looks.* Check your stairs game: Lean forward slightly when descending. You might be shocked how much it helps knee pain.* Lower for longevity: In everything from skipping to lifting to dancing, a low torso lets your body stretch collisions and move more naturally.* Movement isn't fancy: We have a limited number of foundational movement patterns. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to move well.🗓️ Upcoming EventsWe’re hitting the road!* Seattle: June 6–7* Los Angeles: July 18–20And yes, we’re still working on that next book, plus a new webinar is on the horizon.🎧 Listen NowIf you've ever struggled with running form, felt pain during simple movements, or just want to better understand how the body really works—this episode is for you.Until next time,JennP.S. Got questions? Thoughts? A weird running story? Hit me up—yes, me! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letmeintroduceyou.substack.com