Here are some photos of about what a moderate road position should look like:
http://www.bikeforums.net/long-dista...l#post12207030
This is me in a fat phase. I need to redo these! Besides the notes accompanying the photos, also note that my upper arms make ~90° angle with my upper body, no matter how I hold the bars.
Moving the hands forward increases the lever arm which keeps you from falling forward, and thus reduces the pressure on your hands. More photos here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...l#post12953035
Note how stretched out these women are. It's actually more comfortable like this though one has to be flexible.