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More efficient running style

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FR Oct 2013 8:46pm, 7 Oct 2013 16,987 posts	Quote Pin FR Depends. I should have added it's the lateral difference they are crap. For hilly road like Buttermere 34k they are perfect.
Hills of Death (HOD) Oct 2013 8:47pm, 7 Oct 2013 29,132 posts	Quote Pin Hills of Death (HOD) I bet Jeremy hates them
FR Oct 2013 8:48pm, 7 Oct 2013 16,989 posts	Quote Pin FR Definitely. In fact everybody hates them in public
FR Oct 2013 9:31pm, 22 Oct 2013 17,118 posts	Quote Pin FR Both research and anecdotal experience suggest that even if a habitually heel striking runner starts a marathon (for example) with a midfoot or forefoot striking pattern, chances are that they will often revert back to heel striking to some extent as the race distance progresses. This ‘reverting to type’ may be down to a drop in cadence as fatigue kicks in, or lack of strength endurance in the plantar flexor muscles. Baring this in mind, I often prefer to coach a habitually heel striking distance runner or triathlete to achieve a light, glancing heel strike, encouraging an more achievable midfoot loading, without requiring the conscious cue of landing on the balls of the feet. Working in this way to promote positive changes within a strike pattern the athlete’s body is already familiar with, seems to be far more successful and achievable in many cases, than making wholesale changes to the strike pattern! Trading a heavy over striding heel strike, for a lighter glancing heel strike with a slightly increased cadence and better posture, is far less of a shock to the system than trading a heavy over striding heel strike, for an unsustainably contrived midfoot / forefoot strike. Other athletes will thrive with a midfoot / forefoot strike… and that’s the challenge of coaching!
SPR Oct 2013 9:37pm, 22 Oct 2013 18,822 posts	Quote Pin SPR Link? Nothing new though, changing the effect not the cause is not the best way usually.
richh Oct 2013 9:47pm, 22 Oct 2013 646 posts	Quote Pin richh FR, Do you actually teach them cadence and posture, or foot-strike? Seems like forcing the foot-strike means tension in the feet, ankles and legs means problems.
Jhuff Nov 2013 11:06pm, 1 Nov 2013 3,729 posts	Quote Pin Jhuff Fr, I hate them in public and private..lol
Sapporo HIITman Nov 2013 3:42am, 21 Nov 2013 2,183 posts	Quote Pin Sapporo HIITman Hello folks. Still running here. No videos, though. Should I start again? lol. Uh-oh (50) shades of gray for heel strikes now, is it?
Jhuff Nov 2013 1:16am, 22 Nov 2013 3,730 posts	Quote Pin Jhuff Yrs, videos are a must.lol
SPR Nov 2013 10:19pm, 24 Nov 2013 18,878 posts	Quote Pin SPR Via Letsrun, interesting review of form in GNR of Farah, Gebrselassie and Bekele. balancedrunner.co.uk