What to do with my arms?

[B3any_Boy]

While running, my arms move by themselves, in time with the run. However, by the end of the 5 minute section they feel incredibly tired and heavy. I drop them down and swing them about a bit and then they feel ok, but if I'm going to increase the running in week 5 and beyond, is there a way of easing the heaviness?

[Greg_M Graduate]

blimey its not just me, my colleagues all look at me like I am mad when I say I go out for runs and the thing which seems to get disproportionately tired is my arms, right up in the deltoids.

I can't figure it out for the life of me......

[andystev Graduate]

How strange, it's never been an issue to me. I sometimes get stiffness in a shoulder, but concentrating on relaxing usually fixes it. I have something of a manta to try to maintain form: "Head up, shoulders back, relax".

I read somewhere, can’t recall where, that elbows should be 90 degrees and swing from the shoulder. My arms pretty much do that by themselves anyway, so I’ve never really thought about it.

[shelleymcb Graduate in reply to andystev]

I read that too about the 90 degrees & that hands should mimick pulling up a zipper on a jacket from the bellybutton but not to swing too much. mine seem to swing higher than that (like centre chest) & sometimes inside elbow feels like it needs a good stretch. it should feel natural I suppose. one of my daughters has one arm that seems to swing lower than the other but it doesnt affect her running.

[Bxster Graduate]

I've been wondering that too!! I've gone with all sorts when I'm thinking about it, but seem to have a natural habit of having arms close in to my body, started watching other runners... I am developing strange stalking habits...

[PatButcher Graduate]

Crikey, mine don't swing at all and I always think I must look a bit odd! I do get the odd shoulder ache though

[CaroleC Graduate]

Hands should be curled gently like you're holding an egg; elbows at 90 degree angles, don't have your arms/hands cross the midline, pump them a little more to get up hills.

Never had arm ache as such, occasionally shake my hands and arms out if I think I'm holding them too stiffly and try to relax my shoulders down a bit, but nothing hurts??