One area runners often struggle is running well downhill.
Efficiently running downhill requires a runner to lean forward with the hill, trying to keep the torso close to right angles to the slope. The best analogy I have come across for this is skiing; good skiers put their weight forward and work with the mountain, not against it.
Once leaning with the hill, the next step is to relax the legs and to ‘let them spin’. Short, fast strides allow your body to stay over your legs (not behind them), reducing the impact spike and making for a quicker and smoother descent. Additionally, relaxing the legs allows the impact forces to be dissipated throughout the lower limbs (downhill running doesn’t have to mean dodgy knees!).
Being tentative when running downhill usually equates to a runner leaning back and putting the brakes on – this is a shortcut to trashed quads and post-run soreness for the next several days.
Downhill trail running is basically the same principles with a few extra considerations thrown into the mix – a topic for another day.
As Lloyd would say – just go man.
See you out there – Juddy