Clenched Hands

Arkmood <[email hidden]> wrote in news:MPG.1b2c0f7c283415c5989681
@news.exit109.com:

Quoted message said:

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."

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" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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).

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.

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" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Arkmood <[email hidden]> 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

Quoted message said:

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.

In article <[email hidden]>,

JR said:

"Phil M." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Arkmood <[email hidden]> 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

Quoted message said:

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

"JR" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

"Phil M." <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Arkmood <[email hidden]> 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

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

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."