Running with short legs?
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Gianfranco_R wrote: »Sweet13_Princess wrote: »I almost feel comical by asking this question, but does anyone think it's more challenging to run because you're a short person or have short legs? I'm 5'3" and I see treadmill workouts that tell me to run at 5mph and I laugh. I'm already at a jog at 3.5 and feel like I'm running at 4.0. I tried amping it up to 6mph for 30 second intervals and practically fell on my face.*LOL* Anyone else agree or do you all just think I'm crazy.
Shannon
Well, not really, running speed = stride length X stride frequency, and tipically shorter people can compensate their short stride with a higher frequency. No worries, keep on working out and you will improve
I never thought of that. I'm 5 feet tall and have a long torso. I've recently got a Garmin that tracks frequency, and it's typically in the 190's, instead of the 180's "ideal". I wonder if that is due to my height. I'm on the quicker side, but not an elite by far.0 -
Work on endurance and you'll find that your feeling isn't so. You can get quite fast as a short person if you want to work on it
+1
5' 4" here and every year I get shorter (everyone else is getting taller). I run slow but it's fast for me. Find your pace and slowly work your way up.0 -
I'm 5'2 and can jog at 3.9-4.5. I think the lighter I become, the faster I'll be able to go. I'm more concerned about endurance, though,0
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I don't know about running... but i have pretty short legs in proportion to my upper body, and let me tell you, getting into warrior pose is occasionally hilarious. Any yoga move that starts with "Now bring your right foot between your hands" actually. ..
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Keep at it, your speed will improve.
I can walk briskly at 4mph, and can hold a jog at 5.5, and sprint at almost 9mph at 5'2".0 -
I don't think short legs has much to do with running. at 5'6" I played football and ran track all the way to and during university, I was always one of the faster people with decent endurance. Having short legs means your strides are probably shorter, but your turnover is faster which compensates for a lot of it.0
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It's nice to hear from people of similar stature. I've always thought long-legged people had it easier at runners and that short people were at a disadvantage. I think you busted that myth for me! Thanks for the research, too! It really puts things in perspective. I hope to get there one day.... I just started training for a 5k last month, which will be in April. My main goal is to NOT come in last! :-D
Shannon0 -
I ran into that when I was in the Military. I'm 5'8", but have short legs.0
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I feel this way sometimes, OP. I am really really slow jogger on treadmill (I started at 3.5 and have worked up a bit from there). I am 5'5 but I have short legs relative to my body (I have the same torso length as my 6'5 husband which is weird). I try not to think about my speed though- I am happy enough that I can "run" for miles when before I could barely even walk 1/2 a mile without feeling like dying. But I also have started to kind of resent treadmill running- I actually find I run faster and longer out on the road then in the gym where I feel l am just staring down the numbers on the screen.
But congratulations on your progress, OP. Don't measure yourself against others, just yourself 0 -
I used to feel this way (5'2"), I don't run fast by any means, but I think you also get more efficient as you run more. I still choose distance over speed, but I run at a consistent 6.0-7.0 mph pace and it doesn't feel too fast. Just keep it up. Running gets easier with time, as you build strength and endurance you'll be able to go faster.0
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I'm 5'2", and have just eased myself into running. I ran my first uninterrupted mile yesterday in 8:58, and finished 3 miles with a 10:20 pace. This would have been inconceivable to me even a few months ago.
So don't worry, it gets easier.0 -
Honestly, your height doesn't matter that much. Desiree Linden, one of the top female long-distance runners in North America, is only 5'2" and she just qualified for the US Olympic marathon team again. I don't know much about the science of it but I do believe the smaller/lighter factor helps offset a possibly shorter stride as you suggested.
I think for sprint-type events it might be different, but not so much for distance.
+1
being shorter is better for distance running!
Being tall is only good for sprinting and the field events of track and field. For example, tall high jumpers are usually more successful!0 -
I used to feel like this too! Before, I thought it was difficult to get up to 4.5 MPH and now I can go for 15 minutes at 7 or 8 MPH. I have a short inseam, I'm only 4' 11" so I feel your pain. It's all about the stride. Focus on taking big strides, it helps a lot and helps you not get exhausted early on.0
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At 5', I love walking outside or on an indoor track, but hate the treadmill. Walking is a very meditative and relaxing experience. I prefer to space out, so the mental effort required to not fall off of a treadmill (though minimal) makes the experience irritating. It might not be so bad if I could rest my hand on the bar, but it is typically set at about shoulder height for me. I wonder if people with long legs feel constricted by the size of the running area. I also prefer to go whatever speed I please without thinking about it, so coming out of my stupor to fuss with the settings is a turn-off.0
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Yeah... I am 4 foot 11 inches. I relate. A lot.0
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MeanderingMammal wrote: »
Yeah, Mo was just the first that sprang to my mind because he's a man, so that really is noticeably short. As a woman runner I'm used to practically all my team-mates being my height (5'4) or smaller.0 -
scorpio516 wrote: »Honestly, your height doesn't matter that much. Desiree Linden, one of the top female long-distance runners in North America, is only 5'2" and she just qualified for the US Olympic marathon team again. I don't know much about the science of it but I do believe the smaller/lighter factor helps offset a possibly shorter stride as you suggested.
I think for sprint-type events it might be different, but not so much for distance.
+1
being shorter is better for distance running!
Being tall is only good for sprinting and the field events of track and field. For example, tall high jumpers are usually more successful!
Not sure about that. I went to school with a guy that won a bronze medal in the 100m Olympics and he was my height. He always used to beat taller people. It's about turnover as well not just height.
As for the treadmill, I always feel like I might fall off as well if I go to fast. At least on an elliptical I know that balance is part of it.
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meganridenour wrote: »Gianfranco_R wrote: »Sweet13_Princess wrote: »Wow! Thanks for all of the feedback. Based on what some of you have said, I wonder if shorter people burn more calories then? I mean, if we're having to take more strides to make up for shorter legs, wouldn't the calorie burn be higher? This really makes me curious, but also makes me laugh a little at myself.*LOL*
Shannon
only weight and distance matter.
Here is the formula:
http://www.runnersworld.com/weight-loss/how-many-calories-are-you-really-burning
Out of curiosity, who here has used this formula and been successful eating back those calories while still losing weight? Or maintaining. Depending on goal?
This has been what I've been using lately and yes it seems to be accurate. It's a lot lower/more conservative than a lot of other online calculators/MFP and even my HRM give me. Prior experience seems to indicate the other sources were overestimating, and this seems to be more accurate based on what I would expect to lose.
To the OP - don't worry, you'll get faster the more you train. Also get outside! Dreadmills don't let you use your natural gait and force you to a constant pace. I'm always really slow when I start out, 15 minute-miles, no joke, and I am a little taller than you at 5'4". Speed comes with time/endurance/training.0 -
peaceout_aly wrote: »I used to feel like this too! Before, I thought it was difficult to get up to 4.5 MPH and now I can go for 15 minutes at 7 or 8 MPH. I have a short inseam, I'm only 4' 11" so I feel your pain. It's all about the stride. Focus on taking big strides, it helps a lot and helps you not get exhausted early on.
This may work for you, but I would not recommend over-striding. Your foot should be landing below your hip. I developed a lot of hip problems when I was trying to overcompensate for my short legs this way ( I am 5'1 with a 28in inseam)0 -
Contrary to popular belief, being short makes you more suited to running . Look at the elite runners. Paula Radcliffe is an anomaly at 5'9". Also , height has nothing to do with burning calories0
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I'm just short enough that most elliptical machines have much to wide a stance for me and I feel like I'm going to fall over... as for running, I always feel like that but never thought it could be my height.
I have the same problem with the elliptical that is why I am now prefer the ARC. I can control the stance much better and get a good workout. I don't run, I never did because I don't like it and now my knees will not allow it, but I am a fast walker for my short legs and my stride is small. I am only 4' 11", so I can't expect much.0 -
catnap1996 wrote: »Contrary to popular belief, being short makes you more suited to running . Look at the elite runners. Paula Radcliffe is an anomaly at 5'9". Also , height has nothing to do with burning calories
Not directly but indirectly if you are focused on the optimum weight for your height.0 -
im 5'1 and on my best day can do a 12 min mile.
but i also dont really consider myself a runner LOLOL0 -
catnap1996 wrote: »Contrary to popular belief, being short makes you more suited to running . Look at the elite runners. Paula Radcliffe is an anomaly at 5'9". Also , height has nothing to do with burning calories
The elite regional runners here top out 5'11"...0
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