Correcting your running form?

Originally posted by MarkPalm

Most recently I had a run analysis and was told I have weak hips, and strengthening them would naturally give me proper form. Weeks of strengthening later with no improvement, unless there is something else I haven't considered, I am having doubts with his advice.

Originally posted by Left Brain

Do these drills.   Do them slowly and deliberately at first, and work your way to faster over time (months).......and do them religiously. Warm up a bit first, and run easy afterwards.  You will be amazed at what they can do for your running.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhzzpZVMtl4

 

Originally posted by MechEChick

This seems to be something a lot of runners struggle with. What injury are you dealing with? Is it in your hips?

Originally posted by MarkPalm Thanks, I'll give these a shot. How often do you do them? Yes, I was told it was my abductor by the doctor, tendinitis by the physical therapist, and my TFL by the running analyst. I experience pain just above my left quadricep, kind of wherer my leg starts. It's almost always a sharp pain and hurts when lifting my knee up and out/in/forward or during the run (after about 3 miles) when my left leg is at it's farthest point "back" and starting to push off to go forward (same for walking afterwards. Foam rolling/strengthening/stretching make it disappear temporarily. Sorry for the overload of information, I don't want to detract from my original question and make this seem like it belongs in the injury section. I was told if I can't make improvements to get an MRI so I will be doing that this week.

Originally posted by MarkPalm

Here's the background for my question: I have an injury I just can't seem to ditch, it always finds its way back. It goes away relatively fast, but sooner or later it comes back. Therefore, my only thought is that it has to do with my running form. I've been told I have the strength, just not the flexibility. I have been told I have the flexibility, not the strength. I've been told many things and I've consistently worked on strengthening and flexifying (that should be a word) everything I can but to no real solution.

So here's my question:

Will proper running form (I suppose proper anything form) come naturally with having the necessary strength and flexibility? Or, will it take a constant conscious effort of focusing on it?

Most recently I had a run analysis and was told I have weak hips, and strengthening them would naturally give me proper form. Weeks of strengthening later with no improvement, unless there is something else I haven't considered, I am having doubts with his advice.