If you refer to my 11.7.11 post, I write, "So instead of believing I need to work harder, I've decided I must be running wrong." Fitness Running tells me my stride is also off. I take small steps, barely lifting my feet off the ground. Apparently, I'm supposed to put a spring in my stride by lifting my knees up and pushing off the ground with my big toe. I've never thought about my big toe when it came to running. Maybe it makes a difference. Strike two.
I don't eat the right running food at the right time, and I'm probably under-hydrated much of the time. I eat pretty heathly, but I don't think of how my food will help me run better. I will be taking that mentality with me the next time I'm at the grocery store. I also need to drink more water. It's not necessary to drink eight 8 oz glasses of water a day, but I could do a better job of staying hydrated. Strike three.
With those factors against me, I guess I really do just need to work harder. My two books give me running programs to follow to make me run longer and faster and improve my VO2max. I've never followed a program before so, wish me luck!