New running style

[alwaysgrowing]

Some of you have seen my post on barefoot running. I am not ready nor do I have the ability to run distances barefoot. But I ran 4 miles today, making sure to shorten my stride and land on the front of my foot rather than the heel. What a difference.

For the first time, I have no joint soreness after running. My calves, quads and hamstrings all felt used after the run. Rather than absorbing the force of my weight with ym bone structue (as what happens with heel strikes) I absorbed in through flexion of the ankle and knee. For those of you with joint problems, I recommend it. I feel I was running slightly slower, but my heart rate was above 150bpm. Definitely worth it

[jack tors]

good tip I have knee joint issues when i run. barefoot is crazy.
ive been doing the same as you running at night. keeping the calories up for the most part. more fiber a bit less carbs. its working out nicely.

[alwaysgrowing]

good tip I have knee joint issues when i run. barefoot is crazy.
ive been doing the same as you running at night. keeping the calories up for the most part. more fiber a bit less carbs. its working out nicely.

Try shortening your stride and not impacting on your heel. It is awkward for the first few minutes until your body adapts. I felt I was moving som much smoother. And no joint problems is alawyas a good feeling

Exactly what I am doing. My carbs come from oats and blue/black/raspberries. Staying full and hard while lean. I love it.

[Scrumhalf]

AG, I did my second round of forefoot strikes - see the posting in my log.

I ran 4 miles this time with forefoot strikes and finished in a PR of 31 minutes - pretty sad time, but a PR nonetheless and I'm happy that I did it with forefoot strikes to boot. :)

As you indicate, it has the side benefit of shortening your stride and for me, that should help with increasing my running cadence and hopefully translate into greater speed. My goal for this year is to be able to average 7 min/mile for a 4 mile run.

[alwaysgrowing]

AG, I did my second round of forefoot strikes - see the posting in my log.

I ran 4 miles this time with forefoot strikes and finished in a PR of 31 minutes - pretty sad time, but a PR nonetheless and I'm happy that I did it with forefoot strikes to boot. :)

As you indicate, it has the side benefit of shortening your stride and for me, that should help with increasing my running cadence and hopefully translate into greater speed. My goal for this year is to be able to average 7 min/mile for a 4 mile run.

You have the same speed goal as I do. I as up to three miles in under 21 minutes. I didn't time myself today because I had a feeling it would have been slower. YOu thinki that shortening you stride will lead to quicker speed?

I was theorizing that because of the more often foot strikes, I would expend more energy over a shorter distance, thereby lowering my potential for speed. Although, I felt more comofrtable with my running stride today than previously.

[ROCKETW19]

You have the same speed goal as I do. I as up to three miles in under 21 minutes. I didn't time myself today because I had a feeling it would have been slower. YOu thinki that shortening you stride will lead to quicker speed?

I was theorizing that because of the more often foot strikes, I would expend more energy over a shorter distance, thereby lowering my potential for speed. Although, I felt more comofrtable with my running stride today than previously.

shorter strides will not increase you times in the mile. as you said you will have to work harder for each mile with more steps.
I hate to tell ya but if you want to be a true distance runner with times you will have to go back to heel strikes. If you just wanna train and what not keep to the bare foot style

[Scrumhalf]

Well, I have talked to several runners at work and they all say that in order to increase speed, you have to increase turnover, i.e. you foot cadence has to increase. I think that a shorter stride will allow for this and a forefoot strike by its nature tends to force shorter strides because you don't strike way ahead of your center of mass like you would with a heel strike but rather more or less under you center of mass.

[ROCKETW19]

Well, I have talked to several runners at work and they all say that in order to increase speed, you have to increase turnover, i.e. you foot cadence has to increase. I think that a shorter stride will allow for this and a forefoot strike by its nature tends to force shorter strides because you don't strike way ahead of your center of mass like you would with a heel strike but rather more or less under you center of mass.

show me 1 marathon runner that uses this idea. in therory if you could maintain cardio and muscle endurance for 1 mile shorter sprint on your toes style would be faster. I personaly cant even go 100% for 800M no way im makin it a mile.

[Scrumhalf]

All I am saying is that it works for me and the logic seems to be scientifically sound. The foot is much better at absorbing shock with forefoot strikes than with heel strikes.

Anyway, the ultimate badasses for long distance running, the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico run barefoot or in Huarache sandals which are pretty much minimalist footwear... fwiw... :)

[alwaysgrowing]

shorter strides will not increase you times in the mile. as you said you will have to work harder for each mile with more steps.
I hate to tell ya but if you want to be a true distance runner with times you will have to go back to heel strikes. If you just wanna train and what not keep to the bare foot style

I am concerned about time, but moreso with minimizing impact to my joints. So I will be sticking with front foot strikes

[Scrumhalf]

I think you can go a long way before forefoot strikes limit your speed. We are not talking about Olympic speed here. A 7 minute mile or even a 6 minute mile should be doable in my opinion. If I can do 4 miles in 24 minutes I'll retire! :rofl: