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13 Replies Last post: Mar 9, 2008 5:50 AM by dscotina  
Click to view quaker02's profile Expert
quaker02
59 posts since
Sep 30, 2007
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Nov 27, 2007 8:52 AM

My Running Form - Help

I try to concentrate on running upright (straight in posture) and I try to strike the ground wwith the middle part of my foot, just behind the ball of my foot...now obviously I am not perfect and I lean and screw it all up after I start to get fatigued...I have two problems:

1) I haven't done too much reading on what exactly the correct form should look like so I am not sure if what I am trying to do is correct

2) Everytime I see one of those professional pictures that were taken from a race it looks like I am striking the ground with the heel of my foot which would be awful...and I need to stop this...

Does anyone have a good resource for me to read about the correct form for running long distances (Marathon and beyond) and any pictures would be especially helpful.
Click to view merigayle's profile Legend
merigayle
1,586 posts since
Aug 15, 2007
1. Nov 27, 2007 10:59 AM in response to: quaker02
Re: My Running Form - Help
You could look into Chi Running by Dyer. I know a lot of runners who swear by the book and the way he describes the form to be used in running.
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Click to view Trail Goat's profile Pro
Trail Goat
91 posts since
Mar 22, 2006
2. Dec 27, 2007 2:40 AM in response to: quaker02
Re: My Running Form - Help
Quaker, what's wrong with heel striking in a distance race and why would it be awful?

http://This message has been edited by Trail Goat (edited Nov-27-2007).
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Click to view quaker02's profile Expert
quaker02
59 posts since
Sep 30, 2007
3. Nov 27, 2007 12:26 PM in response to: quaker02
Re: My Running Form - Help
The way I understand it (and it seems logical) is that if you strike the ground with your heel you are essentially putting on the brakes and literally slowing yourself down...I imagineit also increases the effective impact on your body...

I could be wrong but that seems to be the consensus from what I have read...

I will pick up chi runner tonight and read it...
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Click to view Trail Goat's profile Pro
Trail Goat
91 posts since
Mar 22, 2006
4. Nov 27, 2007 12:38 PM in response to: quaker02
Re: My Running Form - Help
Well, now I'll have something to think about on my run tonight. ;-) Do I actually heel strike or do I just think that I heal strike? Either way, after 15 years of running and only minimal injuries, I'm not inclined to mess with my stride. :-)
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Click to view merigayle's profile Legend
merigayle
1,586 posts since
Aug 15, 2007
5. Nov 27, 2007 1:09 PM in response to: quaker02
Re: My Running Form - Help
at the last big race expo i went to, the Chi Running author was there and there were masses of people around. I know it is a very popular method for running. If nothing else, it will help you correctly focus on your stride. I do not follow the book, but know many who do and find it to be very successful for them.
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Click to view harryw's profile Amateur
harryw
24 posts since
May 29, 2007
6. Nov 27, 2007 1:17 PM in response to: quaker02
Re: My Running Form - Help
it's not really about the 'heel' strike so much as it is about not planting your foot in front of your body. if you concentrate too much on not doing a heel strike then you are in danger of ending up doing a shuffle because you'll eliminate dorsiflexion.

most midfoot landings are actually a heel strike, if only by a very little degree.
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Click to view quaker02's profile Expert
quaker02
59 posts since
Sep 30, 2007
7. Nov 27, 2007 2:22 PM in response to: quaker02
Re: My Running Form - Help
hmmm...that seems to make sense. And also confuses me a little...now I am not sure if I have a good heel strike or a bad heel strike.
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Click to view nickjc's profile Amateur
nickjc
37 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
8. Nov 27, 2007 6:18 PM in response to: quaker02
Re: My Running Form - Help
If you look in the 'Lore of Running' by Noakes there is a nice photo sequence of one of the fastest 10k runners in the world running on a treadmill. His heel touches the treadmill first and it doesn't seem to slow him down much. Look at photos from the world XC championships and you will see many heel strikers. I've talked to quite a few people who tried to 'fix' their stride and become midfoot strikers only to end up with Achilles tendinitis or some other lower leg injury. Most of the running stride 'experts' seem to want to sell you their system.
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Click to view kellywilson's profile Expert
kellywilson
51 posts since
Oct 27, 2007
9. Nov 27, 2007 10:55 PM in response to: quaker02
Re: My Running Form - Help
Why are you messing with your form to begin with? Are you injured from bad form? Did someone comment on your form? I think it is what it is and how will anyone recognize you from a distance if you change your form?

If your form is not hurting you and maybe what your trying to do is improve your running economy then get into the weight room during the off season and work on getting your whole body back in balance and strong. So by being stronger overall you'll be able to maintain your good form longer into a race.

I'm a personal trainer-weight lifting will be my answer to everything We're all out of balance from running like we do and need to lift on a consistant basis to stay healthy

Kelly
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Click to view chanda020's profile Rookie
chanda020
2 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
10. Jan 14, 2008 10:11 PM in response to: kellywilson
Re: My Running Form - Help

I ran in college and I never was concerned about my form. Neither was my coach. Honestly, it does not matter. I'm not sure how all this got started but it is not important.


www.kel-loveheals.blogspot.com

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Click to view UltraRunner2B's profile Amateur
UltraRunner2B
24 posts since
Sep 26, 2007
11. Jan 15, 2008 5:22 PM in response to: quaker02
Re: My Running Form - Help
The beauty of trail running is you have to change your form all the time to deal with the terrain. I don't think I even have a form when I'm on the trails!
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Click to view Damien Howell's profile Amateur
Damien Howell
31 posts since
Feb 27, 2008
12. Feb 27, 2008 9:39 AM in response to: quaker02
Re: My Running Form - Help
I have written several articles about running form, and how it relates to injuries, which are available at http://www.damienhowellpt.com/news.php. Being able to see good running form is easy through many free internet sites. I have collected some examples on my youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/DamienHowellPT. If you are still struggling with learning ideal running form if you have a video camera you can access expert analysis of your individual running form on-line at different internet sites.


Damien

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Click to view dscotina's profile Expert
dscotina
57 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
13. Mar 9, 2008 5:50 AM in response to: Damien Howell
Re: My Running Form - Help

Sure you want to run upright with good posture and hands about waistband level but other than that why mess with your natural gait? Run the way God intended you to run and have fun. That's what it's all about.

Please visit my trail running blog at: http://breakhearttrailrunning.blogspot.com/

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