Runners/joggers check in...

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: SWScorch

Originally posted by: screw3d
There is this page where you can input all the info about your feet and it will come up with shoe recommendations.. I can't find it anymore

they tend to suck anyway. The best bet for anyone is to just go to a running store and have them check out your feet and your old shoes and have them watch you run. They are experts and will point you in the right direction.

I think I need to do that one day.. I haven't found a SINGLE pair of sports shoes that I can wear comfortably for long periods..

My feet will start killing me before I even start running out of breath :roll:

Any hot deals on this service?

 

[screw3d]

legs: focus on turnover rather than strides...this becomes harder when running in formation

What do you mean by turnover?

 

[Triumph]

how exactly are you supposed to land on the balls of your feet? that seems totally backwards, or like it would be really funny looking.

 

[Rogue]

Originally posted by: Triumph
how exactly are you supposed to land on the balls of your feet? that seems totally backwards, or like it would be really funny looking.

I thought the same, but assumed he meant something else. I've always been told to strike the surface with your heel and roll forward, coming off the ball of your foot.

 

[SWScorch]

Originally posted by: Triumph
how exactly are you supposed to land on the balls of your feet? that seems totally backwards, or like it would be really funny looking.

A lot of fast runners tend to land on the balls of their feet, and then lightly touch down with their heels. It's almost like sprinting, and gives you amazing calf strength. They have very short strides, and land with their feet directly under their center of gravity, knee slightly bent. It does look sort of funny but it's the most efficient method. Very hard to become accustomed to though. If you think about it, it's how we're meant to run. When you run barefoot, you don't land on your heel because your heel has almost no cushioning fat at all. The balls of your feet are the thickest. If you run half a mile barefoot, you will naturally land on the balls of your feet because it simply hurts to land on your heel. Running shoes acomodate heel striking though because it makes running easier. Like me, I'm as hard a heel striker as they come. Been trying to transition to a midfoot striker but it's tough.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: SWScorch

Originally posted by: Triumph
how exactly are you supposed to land on the balls of your feet? that seems totally backwards, or like it would be really funny looking.

A lot of fast runners tend to land on the balls of their feet, and then lightly touch down with their heels. It's almost like sprinting, and gives you amazing calf strength. They have very short strides, and land with their feet directly under their center of gravity, knee slightly bent. It does look sort of funny but it's the most efficient method. Very hard to become accustomed to though. If you think about it, it's how we're meant to run. When you run barefoot, you don't land on your heel because your heel has almost no cushioning fat at all. The balls of your feet are the thickest. If you run half a mile barefoot, you will naturally land on the balls of your feet because it simply hurts to land on your heel. Running shoes acomodate heel striking though because it makes running easier. Like me, I'm as hard a heel striker as they come. Been trying to transition to a midfoot striker but it's tough.

Ok I tried this last night, and my calves today are absolutely shot! But there was a difference. I ran longer before getting tired, and I didn't feel so much burn in my thighs. Usually after ~15 minutes my legs start feeling very heavy, but not so last night. Maybe it's more efficient thus less calorie burning?

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Here's the form I like best:

head: up and looking straight
shoulders: relaxed
arms: bent at 135° angle, kept close to body and moving forward and back--never across the body
hands: thumb on second knuckle, as if very loosely holding a roll of quarters (sound familiar? )
legs: focus on turnover rather than strides...this becomes harder when running in formation
feet: balls!

While we can't all be skinny, we can all run skinny

this is good advice.

pay attention to your posture when you are running. people tend to want to lean forward but you need to stay upright and keep the length of your body perpendicular to the running surface.
also, like it's been mentioned, keep your arms to your side and don't cross them in front of you. i see people falling into that lazy habit a lot.

i wonder if the shoes are notsomuch the problem, but your form.
also, the running surface can be problematic and cause issues.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
pay attention to your posture when you are running. people tend to want to lean forward but you need to stay upright and keep the length of your body parrallel to the running surface.

What, like Superman?

 

[loic2003]

Don't go for fashion-statement nikes, go for some pro running shoes like Saucony.

 

[mrrman]

maybe you need better arch support...try shoe inserts

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Triumph

Originally posted by: moshquerade
pay attention to your posture when you are running. people tend to want to lean forward but you need to stay upright and keep the length of your body parrallel to the running surface.

What, like Superman?

"if i go crazy will you still call me superman" :music:

whoopsie editted, i meant perpendicular, but i wish parrallel!

 

[Gibsons]

Originally posted by: Rogue

Originally posted by: Triumph
how exactly are you supposed to land on the balls of your feet? that seems totally backwards, or like it would be really funny looking.

I thought the same, but assumed he meant something else. I've always been told to strike the surface with your heel and roll forward, coming off the ball of your foot.

Just imo, but I think you've been taught wrong. heel striking doesn't allow your foot to absorb any of the landing shock, it all goes straight up throught the shin, knees, hips and back.

I say this as a notorious overstriding heel striker who's still trying to change due to injury.

 

[Gibsons]

Originally posted by: loic2003
Don't go for fashion-statement nikes, go for some pro running shoes like Saucony.

Nike shoes are fine. So are Sauconys. Nikes fit and work well for me (narrow foot), while Sauconys give me blisters really bad. Different shoes for different feet, it's quite subjective.

 

[SWScorch]

Originally posted by: Triumph

Ok I tried this last night, and my calves today are absolutely shot! But there was a difference. I ran longer before getting tired, and I didn't feel so much burn in my thighs. Usually after ~15 minutes my legs start feeling very heavy, but not so last night. Maybe it's more efficient thus less calorie burning?

Yeah, it's hell on the calves. It is much more efficient though. If you ever watch any of the elite runners (or even the fast guys on a college team), they almost all run like this. Which is partly why I'm trying to switch over. I have long legs and a long stride, though, so it's tough for me to try to transition.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

stretch your hamstrings better, most back problems are a result of tight hamstrings, which is worsened by improper shoes

 

[Rogue]

Alright, I happened across a hell of a deal on some Saucony running shoes this weekend. They were two pairs for $88 and I got 20% off military affiliation discount, so I got two pairs for like $75. Anyway, I just went running in them and noticed my back didn't hurt nearly as bad as it did in the Nike shoes I was running in. Still a twinge of back pain toward the end, but no pain, no gain, right?

Also, I tried to run less off my heels and more up on the balls of my feet and noticed a difference also. I felt more "spring" in my step and my legs didn't feel like Jello like they normally do when I'm done jogging (the wind sprints at the end finished me off though).