Top 5 Essential Run Skills To Master | Running Tips For Triathletes

Master GTN's 5 essential running skills to feel stronger and run faster in your next triathlon!

Running is not something you usually have to think about. You may presume that because you have done it since childhood, you are now pretty good at it.

That said, there are still many ways in which you can improve your running technique. We are going to be breaking the run down and bringing you GTN's top 5 essential skills to run faster.

These running skills include:
- Breathing
- Posture
- Hip Flexibility
- Contact Time
- Pacing

If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍

Submit your content here:

Watch more on GTN...

Music: Epidemic Sound
Camera Clicks - SFX Producer
Horsepower - Henrik Andersson
Monologue - Splasher!
Speak EZ - Matt Large
Tropic Breeze - Sarah, The Illstrumentalist

Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images

The Global Triathlon Network (GTN) is the best triathlon YouTube channel, with videos for anyone who loves triathlon: from seasoned Ironman racers to first-timers – and everyone in between.

With the help of our pro and Olympic medal winning team, we’re here to inform, entertain and inspire you to become a better triathlete; including videos on:

How to swim, bike, and run faster with expert knowledge
Beat your PB with record-breaking expertise
Get the best from your bike and gear with pro-know-how
In-depth, entertaining features from the heart of the sport
Chat, opinion and interact with us across the channel and on social media every week

Join us on YouTube’s best triathlon channel to get closer to the sport and to become a better, faster and fitter triathlete.

Welcome to the Global Triathlon Network.

Thanks to our sponsors:

[gtn]

Which of these skills will make the biggest difference to your running? Let us know in the comments below 👇

[quitefar]

heather you are awesome. i love your videos and advice. i am getting back into running and your form just makes me get up everytime

[michaelhardie]

Thanks for the refresher. Good to always check the basics and correct my bad habits I've adopted

[lindelystables]

I have no idea how I managed to miss this video in the time I've been following GTN, but this is an absolute gold mine! 9 minutes fully packed with one practical advise after another. Huge thanks Heather I cant wait to work this stuff into my weekly routine!

[ryandowney]

@4:30 I noticed a huge difference in my running once I got to the point where my glutes were firing more readily. For me it started with building strength on the bike and then carried on into longer distance (10+ miles LR) and bigger miles training (+20 to 40 miles/week). It's taken 3 years, but well worth the efforts.

[FabianRWhite]

Wow, this lady is a serious pro. Really helpful video, thank you! Unlike some videos I've seen online, I can practically see myself doing these things. :)

[mikelzubieta]

I'd also include high cadence. A higher cadence (around 180 steps/minute) forces you to make ground contact just under your center of gravity (which should be around your hip with the posture shown in the video) and it also helps you with the forefoot striking (landing on your toes, not hills). This cadence will help you prevent injury and it can also boost your running efficiency. I hope that helps you as it helped me!!
Great video by the way, one of the best ones so far!! Keep it up guys!

[jowylie]

Looks like The Ministry of Silly Walks 😉
Thanks for the great info.

[tubetastic]

I think it changes depending on where you are in your fitness journey. The order you have delivered these tips reflects this. I guess posture is key to the prevention of injuries but doing 15/20 yoga post run has kept my injuries away....especially when you’re in the elite age groups....ie 60 plus! 😁

[followmeback]

Video help me.thanks.drills for increasing step rate r cadence.beautiful coach.

[aaab]

in each video you wear different watch, i love it :)

[NatalieSisson]

Really useful for thank you. Definitely going to use these drills in my training.

[kierenkd]

Lady Dorothy is a secret to good running.
The latimus dorsi connects opposite shoulder to hip. Strengthening this improves core and rotational strength making you more efficient. Train it with pull ups. If you have injured your legs and need to rest them pull-ups (or declines if not strong enough) are perfect to train.

[mjack]

I find that if I allow my hands to get tight, or even start to creep into a closed finger position, the rest of my body follows and gets rigid. If I relax and think about loose, wiggly hands I can immediately release unwanted tension .

[syedwaleedshah]

how often should the drills be done ? everyday with the run? everyother day ? how should these be incorporated (disclaimer: i am a noob at this physical fitness thing )

[tonymoran]

When you watch the pros in triathlon some of them look fatigued and running with tired posture during the run, or is that just me lol? But they still finish in amazing times and sometimes right at the top

[hydra]

Good video. Clear tips to work on.

It's not just the hips. Don't forget to work the mobility of those ankles.

On another note, is it worth doing a collaborative video with someone like the institute of sport or whoever the triathalon body is in the uk re: accessing facilities for training?

[OrenAdler]

Finally, a video without fluff, with important usable material. BUT too dense, too fast. Spend more time on each exercise, incorporate lists with a grid to show what exercise is for which improvement, strength, skill.

Is there a menu or table of contents for the GTN?

[RunningManver]

I find that driving your leg behind high is tough.

[retagif]

Just one question on the subject of running skills, how do you land your feet on the ground/track, some people say landing on your heel is better, but from videos I see people doing differently. Please help