Clumsy Runner

I think like any exercise, you should make a conscious effort to focus on form, to which Jane alluded. As popular as running is I imagine there is plenty published regarding form improvement and possibly some resources out there for virtual coaching if you were to record your gait (purely speculating, but probably worth a google).

Personally, I'm not much more than a novice runner and thankfully haven't had any serious trips/falls. My wife is a far more avid runner and has only had one; 12/2017 she tripped over a harsh sidewalk transition whilst looking at Christmas lights in our neighborhood.

Oh my! I'm just thinking of the velocity of the fall and potentially being on concrete 🤪

This is not my running experience but if it was I'd talk to a physiotherapist about it, tbh. Or at least a sports therapist with background in kinesiology.

spiriteagle99 wrote: »

Try doing some drills like skipping and high knees to work on lifting your legs higher. Hiking on rough trails can also help you get used to lifting your feet. Work on hip strength and flexibility as well. I try to avoid rough sidewalks, preferring the street if possible.

I have fallen a few times, but it has been spaced apart, except for one year when I fell three times in two months. I did the same thing you did, rolled onto my shoulder each time. Shortly thereafter, I ended up with a torn rotator cuff when I did a pushup challenge. It was on the shoulder I had been smashing when I fell. I feel that the two were related. IOW, be careful with your shoulders.

This.

I’ve fallen 3 times in 8 years. All three have been doozies resulting in assorted injuries. Once on a trail, once on road, once on sidewalk. Best I can tell is that I tripped on air all three times.

One other thing to consider-are you sizing up on your shoes? I tripped a lot during the phase when I believed you HAD to go up a 1/2 size or more for running shoes.

springlering62 wrote: »

Ok, I had my fourth bad fall while running this morning.

Are falls normal while running? Is there something I should be doing? I do scuff my feet often when I run so I think they’re catching and pulling me down. Any suggestions for a technique to prevent this?

I always fall in exactly the same position, landing on my right shoulder.

I'm also super clumsy. Poor spacial awareness, hypermobile ankles, and don't lift up my feet properly either. But I know why this is for me: if I lift up my knees too much my blood pressure drops and doesn't come up again unless I stop. Bit like POTS. Been doing this since early childhood. It's just the way I walk. Also means that I can't do steps too big to the front as I'd need to lift up my feet more for that. Thus no fast running for me.

What I do: I tend to run on bikepaths against the traffic instead of the sidewalk as they tend to be smoother and better maintained. No dropped kerbs either. When a bike approaches then I concentrate and step on the sidewalk next to me. Also, paths without tarmac/tiles are a no for me as the risk of spraining my ankles is too big. Fortunately the amount of injuries has been low for me. A few stumbles, a few nearly sprained ankles but no proper falls yet.

MaltedTea wrote: »

Oh my! I'm just thinking of the velocity of the fall and potentially being on concrete 🤪

This is not my running experience but if it was I'd talk to a physiotherapist about it, tbh. Or at least a sports therapist with background in kinesiology.

Try on rough asphalt and skinned everything, including face

From high school soccer days - practice falling.

I think used elsewhere too - but I learned after large gaps of not practicing, some motions better be 2nd nature since no time to think about it.

Biking even had suggestions on doing that too - never did that one, didn't want to ruin the bike, and the space needed would mean in full view.

Practice falling. Whether prone to it or not.
Rough clothes so you don't mind grass stains, grass backyard.
Run, trip, rolling fall onto back of shoulder.

Ya, catching with arm and potential injury on wrist up to shoulder, shudder.

Only place I've had to think about the roll was trail running, trying to force the fall somewhere without rocks & roots and not much space for good roll.

Last fall was night run with unmarked broken up side walk in front of, all places - a hospital.
Last trip was on trail - but caught myself with my knee on a rock. Wish I'd fallen.

I guess you can start inside: I just picked a video - I'm sure there are others.
https://youtu.be/Bdr2j5oD2dU


Interestingly it was probably 30 yrs ago I read an article about better efficiency in women's running stride up to certain pace because they didn't lift their feet as much.
Appears you have the efficiency down really well, just gliding over the ground!