Clenched Hands

[Arkmood]

Always wanted to be a runner, never seemed to have the time.
Last March on my 51st birthday I began to run. Now, I'm up
to about 25 miles a week mostly on forest trails and ocean
boardwalks. I love it! Why do (most) runners clench their
hands into fists when they run? Is it necessary for good
form/technique/circulation? I've noticed most runners do it,
not me - but I don't really consider myself a
runner...(yet).

[Phil M.]

Arkmood <arkie@home.com> wrote in news:MPG.1b2c0f7c283415c5989681
@news.exit109.com:

>
> Always wanted to be a runner, never seemed to have the
> time. Last March on my 51st birthday I began to run. Now,
> I'm up to about 25 miles a week mostly on forest trails
> and ocean boardwalks. I love it! Why do (most) runners
> clench their hands into fists when they run? Is it
> necessary for good form/technique/circulation? I've
> noticed most runners do it, not me - but I don't really
> consider myself a runner...(yet).

Most runners? Really? Holding your hands in a relaxed
position is the preferred method. So you're the one doing it
right. Distance running is all about energy preservation.
Clenched fists, tight shoulders, etc., is considered bad
form, since it is a waste of energy.

Congratulations on your new running habit.

Phil M.

--
"I gotta go. You're killin' me."

[Dan Stumpus]

I think you'll find that the fingers are almost
touching the palm; that is, almost in a closed
position, but not clenched.

At least that's the way I run, and the pictures I'm looking
at in a couple of running books show the same thing.

In fact, the "back" hand opens up a little on the backswing,
while the leading hand closes up a bit

Although the boxers I occasionally see running do throw
shadow punches with clenched fists...

-- Dan

"Arkmood" <arkie@home.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b2c0f7c283415c5989681@news.exit109.com...
>
> Always wanted to be a runner, never seemed to have the
> time. Last March on my 51st birthday I began to run. Now,
> I'm up to about 25 miles a week mostly on forest trails
> and ocean boardwalks. I love it! Why do (most) runners
> clench their hands into fists when they run? Is it
> necessary for good form/technique/circulation? I've
> noticed most runners do it, not me - but I don't really
> consider myself a runner...(yet).
>

[Miss Anne Throp]

Joggers think it makes them look tough, and will keep the
teenagers from chasing and assaulting them. It never works,
but it's cute to watch.

[John Galt]

I read in a Sports Illustrated article some time ago about a
coach who had a 400M specialist ( a world famous sprinter,
but I forget who it was was) who tended to clench his hands
hard during his races. He had the runner train holding a
very delicate item between his thumb and forefinger--I
forget what it was, a saltine cracker comes to mind, but I
can't say for sure what it was. Anyway, you get the idea.

"Arkmood" <arkie@home.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b2c0f7c283415c5989681@news.exit109.com...
>
> Always wanted to be a runner, never seemed to have the
> time. Last March on my 51st birthday I began to run. Now,
> I'm up to about 25 miles a week mostly on forest trails
> and ocean boardwalks. I love it! Why do (most) runners
> clench their hands into fists when they run? Is it
> necessary for good form/technique/circulation? I've
> noticed most runners do it, not me - but I don't really
> consider myself a runner...(yet).
>

[Jr]

"Phil M." <pmarg@charter.net> wrote in message
news:Xns94FFC29D35291seilogramp@216.77.188.18...
> Arkmood <arkie@home.com> wrote in
> news:MPG.1b2c0f7c283415c5989681 @news.exit109.com:
>
> Most runners? Really? Holding your hands in a relaxed
> position is the preferred method. So you're the one doing
> it right. Distance running is
all
> about energy preservation. Clenched fists, tight
> shoulders, etc., is considered bad form, since it is a
> waste of energy.
>

I agree, and also everything I read says that too, although
I find, sometimes, I have to THINK about it to avoid NOT
clenching my hands. Don't know why.

I have found, that after some runs, I realize that I have my
hands clenched and notice after the run that my shoulders
and arms feel achy.

When I realize that I'm doing it, I let my arms hang down
and dangle for a few seconds or so.

But I don't always realize it.

[Onemarathon]

In article <-t-dnZBeVfnI7F_dRVn-ug@comcast.com>,
"JR" <jrich7970@hotmail.com> wrote:

> "Phil M." <pmarg@charter.net> wrote in message
> news:Xns94FFC29D35291seilogramp@216.77.188.18...
> > Arkmood <arkie@home.com> wrote in
> > news:MPG.1b2c0f7c283415c5989681 @news.exit109.com:
> >
> > Most runners? Really? Holding your hands in a relaxed
> > position is the preferred method. So you're the one
> > doing it right. Distance running is
> all
> > about energy preservation. Clenched fists, tight
> > shoulders, etc., is considered bad form, since it is a
> > waste of energy.
> >
>
> I agree, and also everything I read says that too,
> although I find, sometimes, I have to THINK about it to
> avoid NOT clenching my hands. Don't know why.
>
> I have found, that after some runs, I realize that I have
> my hands clenched and notice after the run that my
> shoulders and arms feel achy.

right on. when you clench your fists, you are tensing up
much more than your hands. just try it now..... you can feel
it right up into the shoulders. never really thought of this
before, since i am not a clencher :)

Cam

[Swstudio]

"JR" <jrich7970@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> "Phil M." <pmarg@charter.net> wrote in message
> > Arkmood <arkie@home.com> wrote in
> >
> > Most runners? Really? Holding your hands in a relaxed
> > position is the preferred method. So you're the one
> > doing it right. Distance running is
> all
> > about energy preservation. Clenched fists, tight
> > shoulders, etc., is considered bad form, since it is a
> > waste of energy.
> >
>
> I agree, and also everything I read says that too,
> although I find, sometimes, I have to THINK about it to
> avoid NOT clenching my hands. Don't know why.
>
> I have found, that after some runs, I realize that I have
> my hands
clenched
> and notice after the run that my shoulders and arms
> feel achy.
>
> When I realize that I'm doing it, I let my arms hang down
> and dangle for a few seconds or so.
>
> But I don't always realize it.

A great way to avoid upper-body tension, including the hands
or wrists, is to concentrate on relaxing your shoulders. You
will notice that as long as you maintain this shoulder
relaxation, the rest of your arms will follow suit.

The "dangling arms for a few seconds" is a good move as
well, I do it more often in longer races though.

Thinking about the balance (or lack of) of your head in
relation to the 'cradle' of your neck is another way to
prevent the build- up of upper body tension in the
first place.

cheers,
--
David (in Hamilton, ON) www.allfalldown.org "The most
insecure people are the ones you see putting other people
down constantly."