Go long! or go short...hmm

Support | Event Directors & Organizers

Search Cool Running Community

Browse Cool Running

CoolRunning.com > Cool Running Community > The Track >

Guest

Jan 22, 2002 8:00 PM

Go long! or go short...hmm

Hey Everyyone. In the mile, I always wonder If I would go faster if I lengthen my stride, or keep it short....When I lenghten it, I tend to feel like Im not running as hard, but then when I get my split I see that I was just running a few seconds slower.
Your thoughts???

Kypie24

195 posts since
Mar 23, 2001

1. Jan 22, 2002 8:07 PM

in response to: Guest

Re: Go long! or go short...hmm

Okay, I am a very firm believer in not messing with your stride. Really, this is something that should be natural at our level. Realistically, it would be best to work harder so a faster pace feels comfortable and there is no effort of controlling your stride. But if you feel that you need that bit of extra speed, you have to use best of both worlds; push off hard and quickly bring your foot forward. Done right, it gives you the advantage of more steps per minute and a longer stride. just my $.02

------------------
With so many hopes, dreams, and goals, how can one stay focused?

CoachB008

777 posts since
Apr 27, 2000

2. Jan 23, 2002 9:39 AM

in response to: Guest

Re: Go long! or go short...hmm

As you speed up, your stride will lengthen naturally due to the fact that you are exerting more force on the ground each time you push off. That is a good thing. Trying to lengthen your stride by reaching out with your front foot is bad. It will acutally slow you down.

mlbfan24

251 posts since
Nov 1, 2006

3. Jan 23, 2002 4:58 PM

in response to: Guest

Re: Go long! or go short...hmm

hey CoachB, do you think this is a good idea?......

when i run strides after my easy runs, i'm trying to work on pushing off harder, so my stride is lengthened, but i'm not reaching out at all, just pushing off harder. i have a really short choppy stride, and i need to work on my speed so i thought i'd try that. when i run 100m strides i've counted my strides to figure out my stride length, and i'm usually around 55 strides which is about a 6 foot stride. what do you think?

Guest

4. Jan 24, 2002 12:02 AM

in response to: Guest

Re: Go long! or go short...hmm

quote:<HR>Originally posted by mlbfan24:
hey CoachB, do you think this is a good idea?......

when i run strides after my easy runs, i'm trying to work on pushing off harder, so my stride is lengthened, but i'm not reaching out at all, just pushing off harder. i have a really short choppy stride, and i need to work on my speed so i thought i'd try that. when i run 100m strides i've counted my strides to figure out my stride length, and i'm usually around 55 strides which is about a 6 foot stride. what do you think?

<HR>

striders are the best place to start tweaking your stride... that's what roman had us do last year... i have a problem with my left arm, of it coming over too much or something i forget... but after every practice i just worked on it when i was doing my strides and eventually it went away... sorry jason that's about all i can give you

CoachB008

777 posts since
Apr 27, 2000

5. Jan 24, 2002 6:10 PM

in response to: Guest

Re: Go long! or go short...hmm

Jason

That sounds like a fine idea. You should also stretch a lot. A flexible body is an efficient body.

Guest

6. Jan 24, 2002 7:29 PM

in response to: Guest

Re: Go long! or go short...hmm

i bet confidence would help you too jason

Jan 22, 2002 8:00 PM

Go long! or go short...hmm

New Runners

Training

Competition

Age Groups

Fitness

The Lighter Side

Feedback

Related Links