Morning Team,
It would be fair to assume <strong><em>muscular contraction</em></strong> – that being - in our feet, Achilles tendons, <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/IMG_70011.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2416 " src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/IMG_70011-300x169.jpg" alt="IMG_7001[1]" width="243" height="137" /></a>calves, quads, hamstrings &amp; hips - is considered to be the main force moving and accelerating a runner forward - while on support (that being – the most balanced mid-phase posture in the run stride).

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This could be contradicted, if we assume that <strong><em>gravity</em></strong> is in actual fact the main moving and accelerating force in running. The role of muscles then is reduced to simply regulating the direction of gravity's action on the body, while having a connection of support and being in the state of unstable balance (the mid-phase).

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The movement of the runner on support, after it passes the mid-phase/stance is nothing <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/kiddd.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2414 " src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/kiddd.jpg" alt="kiddd" width="148" height="148" /></a>else, but tipping the body, rotating around the point of support (foot &amp; ankle). Meaning – stall tall – hold your trunk strongly enough to maintain a perfectly balanced spinal position – and then simply lean forward – ever slightly leading with your hips, and using your ankles as your pivot.

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While you’re falling (again holding your most upright balanced position), which should pick up pace the further you fall, I suspect at some point you’ll consider lifting one foot (your base of support) off the deck to save face planting.

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<blockquote><strong><span style="color: #993366;">Your goal when running is to move forward NOT up!</span><a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Running_Dachshund_at_the_beach.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2415" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Running_Dachshund_at_the_beach-300x217.jpg" alt="Running_Dachshund_at_the_beach" width="238" height="172" /></a></strong></blockquote>
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The forward displacement of the runner's body is determined by the geometry of the falling body on support – not driving hard into the surface – pushing yourself off support. The horizontal movement (acceleration) of the body is a function of the angle of deviation of the body from its vertical position. So basically, if you wish to run faster, take your lean/ fall to a more acute angle – before your lift up your base of support to catch this fall. On <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/runnnn.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2413 size-full" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/runnnn.jpg" alt="runnnn" width="276" height="183" /></a>support the muscles do not work to push the body forward, they work to transform the gravity-force downward movement into a horizontal one.

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On your next run – think of holding your posture nice and tall – and visualise falling forward (holding your perfect posture) – while minimising muscles contractions. Obviously remember to lightly but quickly lift your supporting foot off the surface.
The less effort, the greater the speed, the better!