Image courtesy Todo-Juanjo
I’ve been staring and studying runner’s strides more and more often. I’ve covered this in a previous post however I must admit that my concern for my fellow runner’s health is concerning me more than ever. SportsOneSource reported a few months ago that running is increasing in interest in 2009. No surprise here. An inexpensive and natural way to stay healthy and fit – running is natural.
Just today while walking Lucy, the family black Lab, a runner caught my eye. The guy was fast. Faster than me. He was wearing shoes. He was heel striking. I was concerned that his form (no thanks to highly cushioned shoes) was going to cause him injury sooner or later.
I was about to call out. I wanted to stop him. I didn’t. Meanwhile my wife is hushing me to keep quiet in order to not embarrass her on yet another evening stroll. This happens nearly every day.
From time to time I’ll notice shod runners actually are midfoot/forefoot landers. This isn’t a common occurrence mind you. It’s moments like that that I can’t help but think that even a non-barefoot runner (or observer) would question the purpose of cushioned heel wedges. Want to know the truth? There is no purpose. It serves as a ‘filler’ of air between the heel and the surface. A critically dangerous design that causes your body to ‘strike’ harder than nature intended. Why? Because your feet and body want to feel the surface you’re running on and naturally adjust your stride, your stance and your performance. If you want to run in shoes, a minimal midsole (at best) is all that is needed. No more than an 0.33″ in my opinion, even that is excessive. That being said, it’s better than the standard 0.86″to 0.91″ that major athletic shoes design into their heels (not counting the insole).
Just looking and staring out for your health my friends, just staring out.
Great posts. I’m the exact same always wanting and sometimes I do stop and tell people what they are doing to themselves in footwear. Most people think I’m initially daft but when I proceed to inform them of my medical backround and research on the matter, then they are intrigued. I am converting the population slowly but surely. Keep ‘em comin, BT.
Great post! I feel the same way. It’s horrifying that people unknowingly place themselves at risk. My conversion to running barefoot or in minimal footwear lead to eliminated IT band problems and stronger legs. I run pain free. Interesting,,,very interesting.
I found myself staring at runners this past weekend, too. I noticed all the shoes and all the heel striking. I’ve also noticed that some (not all) of the faster runners, run with a midfoot landing without overstriding. I have never had the guts, however, to point this out to people. I do recommend barefoot alternative shoes to people who have running injuries, though.
Thanks for the useful info. It’s so interesting
I do the same thing. Once you know, it’s hard not to be obsessed.
Try being in my spot- doing video analysis on all of these problems, then having to work at convincing runners that less is more/better, that years of training shoe use are creating the problems that they’ve come for advice in solving. It’s an uphill battle!
David, you’re not alone, I check other runners out all the time. (I’ve been doing ‘chirunning’ and so thinking about running form a lot.) But there’s no point in talking to them right there and then. Some of them believe that suffering is virtuous — pearl izumi even had an ad campaign last year — see http://www.wearenotjoggers.com/home — where the theme was if you’re not suffering, you’re not running.
But here’s the deal: sometimes you will see somebody who see somebody who is running incredibly beautifully and efficiently (perhaps despite their footwear). I saw one guy, who obviously was 60-70 pounds overweight for his height, booking around in the park at 7 or 8 min/mile with absolutely no sign of windedness or effort. This guy was a total inspiration. If not in the shape of his body, in his utter perfection of laziness. He was so lazy he had figured out the perfect way to run. :)