Welcome To Fetcheveryone

Our awesome training log doesn't hide its best features behind a paywall. Search thousands of events, get advice, play games, measure routes, and more! Join our friendly community of runners, cyclists, and swimmers.

Click here to get started

Already a Fetchie? Sign in here

More efficient running style

181 watchers

SPR Jun 2019 1:50pm, 19 Jun 2019 28083 posts	0 SPR Canute - Agree with what you say about it being a compromise. That's what I've been trying to say, and that compromise will differ for individuals. I also agree with your last paragraph.
J2R Jun 2019 4:06pm, 19 Jun 2019 2106 posts	0 J2R Canute, I would say that hill sprints are better than regular sprints for developing the leg strength you're talking about. You're less likely to injure yourself. I do them often and find them very effective (8-10 x 20 seconds, fast, up a reasonably steep incline), and I'm sure they are one of the reasons why I am able to perform well for my age (I hope it is not too immodest of me to say so).
Canute Jun 2019 4:32pm, 19 Jun 2019 1952 posts	0 Canute J2R I agree that uphill sprints are a very worthwhile element in a training program. They help build several aspects of fitness including leg strength and aerobic capacity. However, in comparison with level sprinting, there is usually less utilization of captured elastic energy. A lesser proportion of the work done by the legs muscle is eccentric, so if you want to build the strength to get airborne and decrease time on stance, I consider both hill sprints and level sprints are worthwhile.
J2R Jun 2019 4:47pm, 19 Jun 2019 2108 posts	0 J2R Interesting. Yes, hadn't thought about captured elastic energy. I also do lots of 40 second reps at a fast pace (mile pace, though, rather than sprints as such), which may help.
SPR Jun 2019 5:10pm, 19 Jun 2019 28085 posts	0 SPR My ideal plan has me transitioning from hill sprints in the winter to flat sprints in the summer. Haven't done this as much as I like though. Agree that hill sprints are fairly risk free way of adding sprinting to training and will help condition for flat sprints if required.
SSLHP (Shoes smell like horse piss) Jun 2019 10:15am, 26 Jun 2019 451 posts	0 SSLHP (Shoes smell like horse piss) Is that it for another 5 years then? LOL
GlennR Jun 2019 10:16am, 26 Jun 2019 43237 posts	0 GlennR We can only hope.
Dvorak Jun 2019 2:56pm, 26 Jun 2019 17740 posts	0 Dvorak I saw a woman today with what looked like a startlingly inefficient running style, her feet were flicking out in the manner of a cross-country skier going uphill (she was running on the level). Still, she was wearing a shirt from a local half marathon and maintaining a decent pace - I saw her both out and back - so I guess it works for her.
SSLHP (Shoes smell like horse piss) Jun 2019 4:13pm, 26 Jun 2019 452 posts	0 SSLHP (Shoes smell like horse piss) Dvorak -what works for her? nobody suggests you can't move forward at all unless you have an efficient running technique. She might have completed a half marathon time in 2h 30m, but could improve on that with better technique Not sure what your point is?

Got something to say?

To contribute to the discussion, you need to either sign in or register as a user.

About This Thread

Maintained by cabletow

Lots of stuff - but here are two articles that summarise it
http://www.fetcheveryone.com/article-view.php?id=129
http://www.fetcheveryone.com/article-view.php?id=211

Overall summary from Run Free

http://www.fetcheveryone.com/article-view.php?id=420

Related Threads

running foot canute cadence runners however stride leg body ground speed

The Doctor K Cup

This year sees the fourth edition of our annual challenge in memory of the Fetchies who have sadly passed away. It's named after Doctor K, who fought a nine month battle with pancreatic cancer. Find out how to join in