Ridiculous blog on Heel Striking
Check out this really ridiculous blog of Runnersworld.com on heel-striking:
Just check out the long list of negative comments that blog has generated. A lot of experienced runners getting angry at the blog. Let me share my experience with heel-striking and Midfoot/forefoot striking:
Early this year, when I started racking up my mileage, I was primarily a heel striker. When I reached 40 to 50miles/week with 20Miles as my long run, I started getting pains on my knees. That’s when I started taking “ARTHRO“. My high slow mileage stopped after the Condura 21K race and then I started my speedwork in preparation for the July5 Milo Marathon. From 50miles/week, I reduced my mileage to 35miles/week to cope up with the added stress of faster running. However, the knee pain started coming back, even more painful.
That’s when I started changing my technique and tried Chi-Running and/or Pose Method Running. Everytime I tried to accelerate, I would lean forward. At a constant faster speed, I found that I need to just slightly lean forward to get my center of gravity to my midfoot. I then started doing speedwork mostly on forefoot, but my long runs were mostly midfoot. Then the knee pains disappeared. I stopped taking ARTHRO.
I was already lean with a BMI of 21, so heel striking definitely is bad for faster running. Maybe it’s OK for “jogging” with a good pair of cushioned shoes, and good only for slow running up to 40miles per week. But increase the intensity, we may have to change the way we run.
I definitely agree that there is a correct way (ore more ways) to run. Some coaches would argue to run the “natural for you” way. Well it’s a stupid advice like “be yourself”. It’s a lazy way not to improve oneself. There are a lot of ridiculous way to shoot a basketball, but there is a correct, most efficient way. The same as with fighting, boxing, wall climbing, etc. We may be running animals, and what we lack in natural sprinting ability we make up for our highly developed brains. That’s why we must think, experiment, discover, and train ourselves in the correct way of running.
This is where “Just do it” is just not applicable.
Comments (9)
Hi Natz. When I had the achilles tendon injury, one of the causes of the injury was the excessive heel striking. Over the last year, I’ve concentrated more in landing more on the midfoot. The injury has not returned and the running is better. Also, being older now, I’ve increased the time with the stretching before and after runs.
Hope things are going better for you. I’ve been noting the tweeting comments lately. Take care and have a good weekend.
Hi Wayne, It’s nice to hear you also had benefits with midfoot striking. I believe there’s already a Newbalance shoe for that. The new Newton forefoot running shoes are also getting the attention here in the Philippines. The problem is, it’s really expensive. I’ve also tried my friend’s Adizero Mana racing flats, it forces you to concentrate on forefoot striking, and he bought it for only P1,000.00 ($22). Next time I’m gonna go to the place where he bought it.
I also stretch more religiously now. It really relieves the any tired muscles or those that feel tight, especially the Hamstring muscles.
You also take care there and have a good running weekend!
hi natz, i also experience pains in my knees in the early stages of my running. when i learned and applied midfoot landing, the pain is much lesser, and even disappears. now i simply need to continue building mileage, lose weight, stretch every after run, and hopefully, knee injuries will be gone forever. thanks for the blog entry. learned from this a lot man!
Sir Jet, thanks for visiting my blogs. It’s good to hear you also have improved your running by switching to midfoot landing. All that you have just mentioned are the key to healthy running. I will keep them in mind as well. Good luck to you this coming Milo! See you at the starting line.
Nats, could you define midfoot landing? Danny Dreyer’s says midfoot landing is “landing the whole foot at the same time”. Ganun din ba yung meaning nung sayo?
For me kasi midfoot is the arch of the foot. Tama ba?
http://chirunning.com/blogs/danny/2008/07/25/midfoot-strike-forefoot-strike-or-heel-strike%E2%80%A6which-one-is-best/#comments
Sir Grey, actually yes, landing the whole foot at the same time. I’m not sure you could actually land on your arch – arches are higher than the rest of your foot. So it can’t actually touch the ground unless you’re flat footed. I think the main idea is to have the forces distributed across all the areas of your foot so the pressure is less. Remember, Pressure = Force / Area. This is what that ridiculous blog in RW failed to realize and it really bothers me. Danny Dreyer’s idea is so simple it’s so beautiful, although I doubt it’s really original, but I appreciate his work for teaching the Running community about the correct way of running.
Natz, please let me know (sms) re the adizero mana. Tig-isang pair tayo. Thanks.
Yes I’ll text you if I hear another Adidas sale
Natz, me too, hehe! Re: that amazing store where your friend got his Adizero Mana
I totally agree, midfoot landing is key to safe & efficient running.