runners: foot strike and shoes

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Replies

  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    i was watching a youtube video last night because i was concerned about this. I am not a runner but i will be participating in a 5 k so i wanted to bone up on this particular issue.

    the video i watch did not say anything was right or wrong about the runners foot fall

    they did say that your heal should be right under your hip WHEN it contacts the ground.

    Most of the runners were coming down mid foot -ish and then as the leg came back the heal would contact that ground.

    he drew a line from thier heal to the top of thier head, and then made a little horizontal line to show you how far off the hips feel from that heal to head verticle line.

    i kept thinking that this would be something hard to notice in ones own running and even harder to correct but it was actually easily identified and seemed to happen a lot more when i was tired. it does feel like your sinking back, almost like your about to sit down. just thinking about keeping your hips up helps correct it.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    you know, after reading all this, it does seem as though the foot fall is pretty inconsequential as far as 'what is the most effecient running technique'.

    I would think it does matter as far as how well your body will hold up to the stress of running, and in that case, it wll be a little different for everyone, and if it wasn't casing pain then no sense in changing it.
  • MelisaBegins
    MelisaBegins Posts: 161 Member
    Just chiming in on my shoe preference (with the disclaimer that I believe strongly it's totally individual and unique to each person). I've been wearing Brooks Adrenalines since my first marathon in 2004. I wore them exclusively through 7 marathons and they worked really well for me, until I had a child. What the heck, my feet totally changed. Now I'm trying the Brooks Ghost - a more neutral shoe - and have liked their fit so far. I also run trails in the Saucony Peregrine but don't care for these when doing any road running - too hard in the sole. I'm a midfoot striker. Good luck to you!
  • whitebalance
    whitebalance Posts: 1,654 Member
    A shorter stride seems to be working best for me when I run (which isn't my "main thing"). Really just chiming in to say my son and I have both lived in Merrell Pace Gloves for a couple years and imho they're a great alternative to FFS -- especially for those who need a wider toe box. There is a wide model, but even the mediums are usually tolerable for my "Brazilian shoes only" feet.
  • molonlabe762
    molonlabe762 Posts: 411 Member
    bump
  • mjpTennis
    mjpTennis Posts: 6,165 Member
    I have 2 pairs of New Balance $20 something sneakers....doesn't matter...midfoot strike, foot coming back as it strikes to go with the ground and not against it with heel hitting under my hips....I can run all day and pain free. I have gotten a great deal of information from Chi Running after I had a break through on my cadence (160-180).

    Great tips in here about form, strengthening hips and core, cadence, .... good luck.
  • erichunley
    erichunley Posts: 19 Member
    I wrote an article recently on the subject that might be helpful - http://www.hamptonrunner.com/blog/2014/6/14/changing-gait

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