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Benn, I'm no expert but I totally understand what you've written about form. I cringe when I look at race pics, my left arm is swinging across my body, looks like I'm trying to punch out a runner on the right. My elbows are sticking out and are too high. I'm not bringing my knees up, my head is down etc.

Firstly accept and work with what you've been given. I have one leg shorter than the other and my body has to correct this. One of my hero's Emil Zatopek had a terrible style but it didn't stop him winning triple gold. The most important thing is be faster from A to B. Try and cut out wasteful movements and perfect what you are doing correctly. I have a wee list of small changes I can make to improve my form and concentrate on just one at a time until it becomes more ingrained. If I tried to correct everything at once I wouldn't be able to move. Stay smooth and relaxed even in your fast workouts. Don't get out of control or strain, don't overstride. Lastly the things I don't like to do but I know it helps. Stretches, stomach/lower back workouts, upper body etc. I do this in the evening while I watch the news. I've had less aches and injuries since I've starting doing these and I believe this helps iron out my body imbalances. I've thought about Pilates training, Ive bought a dvd but haven't got beyond the warmup so far, boy is it difficult.

Lastly of course when I race this all goes out of the window but some of it will stick eventually. I'll be interested what the more experienced runners have to say on this.

For what it's worth, on my easy runs, I focus on one form aspect like Ian does too. I've found that if I pick one, focus on it for several easy sessions (harder sessions require my concentration in other areas!), it becomes more natural and better...not perfect.

If it makes you feel better, I have badly splayed feet complete with winking kneecaps, poor posture, and a forward head, not helped by sitting at a computer all day long. Needless to say, I've got plenty to work on myself.

I did find that I had to focus on some strengthening exercises to help compensate for some of the bad form I just cannot completely overcome (i.e. splay feet). So I introduced some plyometric drills and some core exercises in to help.

In any event, I think you can improve form, it just takes some time and effort. And I think the "lucky to be running..." comments from docs are usually garbage from someone who doesn't understand how motivated you are to accomplish something. My 2 cents...

Thanks Benn, Your form smooths out over time and with more miles after that you go with what you have and run like hell knowing you gave everything you had. That is the best feeling of all. Nice to have you on the blog!

Thanks Benn, Your form smooths out over time and with more miles. After that you go with what you have and run like hell, knowing you gave everything you had. That is the best feeling of all. Nice to have you on the blog!

Benn-congrats on your studies. Just try to hang in for the last little bit, and your semester should turn out just fine. There are more important things than grades, as you know, so if they need to suffer a bit, well then they can.